Clerk praised after Benedict win

So often the victim of the ire of trainers, there was some rare praise for a clerk of the course after Benedict took the 32Red.com Casino Handicap over the Bunbury Mile.

Winning trainer John Berry made a point of thanking Newmarket’s clerk Michael Prosser after Benedict held the challenge of Prince Samos by a short-head.

Already a course and distance winner, Benedict had only been allowed to take his chance after Berry had walked the track before racing yesterday and today.

“It was just perfect yesterday and although it had dried out a bit today after the sunny weather, I had no hesitation in letting Benedict run on it,” said Berry.

“They have done a great job on this course all summer and nobody could possibly complain about the ground today.”

Berry is weighing up a challenge at the totesport Cambridgeshire for Benedict.

“He is still immature and he has now had six runs this season, so if we did go there that would be his only other run this year,” the trainer said. “He’s a horse we want to look after.”

The sponsors offer 33-1 about the three-year-old, a son of 1997 Epsom Derby hero Benny The Dip.