Boris the Blade gives Jackson first winner since March
Boris The Blade (11-1) gave Saltburn trainer Tina Jackson her first winner since the grey struck twice in March with a game win in the totetrifecta Handicap Hurdle at Hexham.
The winner and Kirkside Pleasure were in the van throughout with Boris The Blade, ridden by Brian Harding, proving the stronger by two and a three-quarter lengths.
“He jumps well and gets the trip well. We were worried how fit he was. My horses haven’t been running that well but they are not very good so it’s hard to gauge,” said Jackson.
“He just keeps galloping and has improved physically. I don’t ride him a lot at home but I schooled him a few days ago and thought how much he had improved from last year physically.
“He’s grown up a little bit as well. I left the cheekpieces off today. Last year he was just full of himself and looking around a lot. He was professional today and hurdled really well. We might go chasing him with now, we’ll have a look at the programme book and see.”
Another Saltburn handler, Keith Reveley, got in on the act when Brackenmoss (9-4), ridden by his
son James, slammed the favourite Mamba by 12 lengths in the concluding Roman Wall Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
Howard Johnson was in sparkling form, landing a 1,079-1 four-timer with Pemberton, Letterpress, Companero and Calin Royal.
The County Durham trainer, who preferred to stay at home, had the winner of all four races he had runners in with his other two representatives finishing third and fifth.
Pemberton (5-1) set the ball rolling as he outfought Motarid to make a successful jumping debut in
the At The Races Sky 415 Juvenile Maiden Hurdle.
With stable jockey Denis O’Regan plumping for Johnson’s other runner and newcomer, Abbaleen (8-1), it was left to James O’Farrell to do the honours.
And the 3lb claimer allowed the hard-puller to settle in behind before making steady progress in the final half-mile and go on to win by a length.
O’Regan, who went on to win on the other three for a 179-1 treble, said: “I picked the wrong one, but there wasn’t much to tell between them at home.”
O’Regan, who was returning after serving a 10-day suspension, was soon on the scoresheet with Letterpress (9-1) in the EBF toteexacta “National Hunt” Novices Hurdle (Qualifier).
However he had to work hard to wear down Pimbo Lane for a three-and-a-half length verdict. The odds-on Joe’s A Boy was well behind when pulled up before the last.
“He just didn’t stay when he ran last year, He was a bit weak,” O’Regan went on. “He should improve for the experience.”
O’Regan doubled up thanks to Companero (7-2) in the totesuper7 Handicap Hurdle.
The eight-year-old – a winner at Carlisle last time out over fences – defied top weight in style as he stayed on stoutly to hold Twelve Paces by eight lengths.
O’Regan said: “He came back on the bridle when I got him going coming down the hill and he came home really well. He’s very versatile and will probably go back over fences now.”
Calin Royal (3-1) completed the foursome with a three-length win in the At The Races Virgin 534 ’National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle.
The seven-year-old made a successful seasonal debut at the main expense of odds-on Fabalu with Johnson’s other runner Bobtante staying on well for third.
Graham Wylie, owner of all of Johnson’s winners except Companero, said after Calin Royal’s victory: “It’s a great training performance, because he’s been very fragile.
“He just got nailed on the line in March here but he’s come back and he’s won which is nice. We’ve not had many days like this – it’s great. It’s good for Denis as well, it’s great to see him back.”
