Close House wins!

Its given Phil great pleasure this afternoon to train Close House to win the Hunter Chase at Perth this afternoon for his good friends Emma Clarke and her son, Charles. Although Phil is in Ireland, its celebrations tonight now ahead of tomorrows big day at Punchestown. Top Northern amateur, John Dawson gave Close House a great ride, jumping well throughout and easing to the front round the home bend to put those behind him to the sword. This gives us another jumps winner before the close of the season, and boosts our chase win stats to a very pleasing 20 % for the 2016/17 season. It will be a shorter drive home for Sam Welton who has taken him there.

Lady Buttons & Courtown Oscar are just out having a pick of grass

before their tea at the racecourse stables. They are both looking superb in their coats and although we would have loved a bit softer ground for them, they deserve their places there tomorrow. Adam  is Buttons regular pilot, and is looking forward to re-uniting with her, wheras Danny Mullins gets the leg up on Courtown, and has plenty of experience round this undulating championship track.

We also have Whitchurch and Rajapur at Wolverhampton tomorrow evening – a real mix of flat and jumps action from our very much dual purpose yard – they’re  winning well under both codes.