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Photos From The Day

Video of the Race

A second long distance trip to Newton Abbot and this time a smaller group of owners onsite following the disappointing run last time out.  Phil and Peter Leonard were joined by Phil’s sister Cathy and a pair of Peter’s friends who live locally to the track.  The only other owners to make the trip were Ben and Nic Cocks who traveled down from Bath.

Our race was the last on the card, the penultimate race in August for UK racing at 7.40pm.

On the way to the course, Neil called to discuss riding plans as he was unable to attend, having traveled to Southwell with other runners.  It was agreed that TWYD should have the same riding instructions as last time and should follow the leaders through the race.

TWYD was accompanied at the course by Billy and Liz as well as Sean who was riding.

I managed to speak to Billy during an earlier and he confirmed that TWYD had traveled well and was in really good form.  It was clear that no one at the yard was expecting the bad run last time and they were all hopeful that he would show what they felt would be his true ability on this occasion.

After the 7.10 race we headed to the paddock and met Sean and Liz.  Sean had spoken to Neil and was well briefed on the tactics and was looking forward to the ride.

Once they got to the start, Sean was very clever and kept TWYD in amongst the other runners and this meant that when they jumped off for the race, Sean managed to get him to settle well in the right spot.  The pace was a lot stronger than last time which seemed to help although again TWYD did not hurdle fluently.  Whilst he was not quick and accurate, he never looked in danger of coming to grief although Sean had to sit tight at the third last coming out of the back straight.  Never out of the front 5, Sean sent him into third on the home turn and whilst he was off the bridle, he was going well and gaining on the front two.

Entering the home straight Sean tried to go up the inside but with no room he quickly switched out round the front pair and was in front at the second last.  The dangers were all coming from behind and although he was in the lead at the last, the gaps were closing fast.  Sean gave him two taps with the whip and TWYD responded really well.  At the line he was actually pulling away from the fast finishing second.

Back in the winners enclosure, Sean was understandably delighted and hopefully there is more to come.

Strangely the journey home seemed a lot shorter than last time!