13th February 2024
It looks at those things are picking up for Team Gordon this week as we not only had a double on Friday last week at Kempton winning both divisions of the bumper, we then went on to have another double at Plumpton on Monday. Our Champ also ran an absolute blinder in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury this weekend.
On Friday last week, things took a turn for the better for Team Gordon as we sent out three runners to Kempton. Bentley’s Return ran a decent race on his handicap debut to finish good fourth on ground that probably wouldn’t be his ideal. He will definitely win a handicap in time.
Then onto the first part of the double when Electric Mason won the first division of the bumper in a stylish fashion, winning comfortably in the end by 2 lengths. He travelled best into the straight and saw it out in the manner of a horse likely to benefit from longer trips once hurdling. Having run well on his stable debut when finishing a staying on third at Ascot, it was a winning run this time. Congratulations to his owner Mrs Nicola Morris.
Then the second part of the double was won by Andashan in the second division of the bumper. This boy was making his racing debut having never run before. He’s a lovely young horse by Shantaram with a great attitude on him. He’s shown a lot at home and has been working well so great to see him produce a race like this. He won comfortably in the end by 1¼ lengths. He is out of a tough winning hurdler and he kept going in determined style for a debut success. Congratulations to his owners The Rockbourne Partnership.
Onto Saturday, we had Our Champ in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury. He ran an absolute blinder on ground that wouldn’t be the most suitable for him (wins have come on good ground). He finished 7th in the end by 12¼ lengths. He was on his first start since a wind operation, and with a tongue-tie added, gradually ran out of puff after hitting two out. Had the ground been better, he definitely would have been closer. Still a great run from him and will be one to watch when we get the better ground.
Monday came around and we headed to one of our favourite tracks, Plumpton. Our first runner of the day was San Pedro in a Conditional Jockeys handicap hurdle over 3m1f and won easily by 12 lengths, given a great ride by Freddie Gordon. He skipped clear at the top of the straight and already had the race sewn up when left well clear at the last. Freshened up by a recent spin on the Flat, he was aided by these drying conditions. Congratulations to his owners The Rockbourne Partnership.
Our second part of the double at Plumpton was won by Alto Alto in a Handicap Chase over 2m1f. He jumped super and was given a great ride by Rex Dingle to get up on the line to win by a head. He was a winner over hurdles here last month off a 5lb lower mark and rallied well in the straight to edge out the stronger-travelling runner-up in a tight finish. He's now 4-5 at this venue. Congratulations to his owner Mrs C New.
