Fourth place for Bullington Boy

With a small but select field lining up for the £10,000 handicap, a change of tactics enabled the Jane Chapple-Hyam trained 4yo to curb his usual enthusiasm and, under leading apprentice of the season, George Rooke,  claiming 5lb the Canford Cliffs gelding settled nicely even though the expected fast pace didn’t materialise. Papa Stour, the former Andrew Balding trained runner, now with Stuart Williams was given a good ride by Jason Hart and dictated the pace throughout, eventually going on to win well while Bullington Boy stayed on steadily and although never quite looking likely to be in the three, never lost any further ground and gave us much more cause for encouragement than he did at Kempton.

George Rooke announced he was really pleased with the gelding and indicated he had done everything right, had settled well and would be in favour of employing similar tactics next time, especially in a fast run race. Beaten  three lengths in total with a further two and a half lengths back to the fifth horse, we were relatively pleased with the 4yo and will be looking forward to seeing what the handicapper made of the run, with a view to where we go next.  With the potential option to race on turf available to him in three weeks time, we will be scouring the racing calendar to find a suitable option. 

We’ll keep you posted.