Ney said an emphatic “no never” to his eight rivals when they tried to beat him at Ripon last night.
Stepping up to 2 miles this time from his recent win over 1m6f at Catterick 10 days ago, he was once again ably partnered by Billy Garritty.
Sent off the evens favourite, Billy had 6yr old tucked in on the rail and in touch with the leaders. They waited for room half a mile out and, as soon as the gap appeared, made smooth headway to lead from over 2f out. As soon as Billy asked the question Ney responded and readily went clear of the field, thereafter just ridden out in the final furlong to win comfortably by a length & a half from his nearest pursuer.
Two races later (to give Kev a bit more time!) Sonning ran in the same colours over 1m2f on just his fourth start following a 485 day break. This lovely 6yr old grey has come on for each run and put up a really good show under Jason Watson to finish a close 3rd of 12, beaten just a length & 3/4 – we are excited to see how he progresses from here.
As Meatloaf once said in the immortal words of his song…..
And so it was at Catterick on Tuesday evening when Danny sent Ney, Dream Deal and Bowman out to perform.
First up was Ney for the Partnership of the same name, over 1m6f in a field of 14 runners and ridden by Billy Garritty.
He was prominent throughout the race and went to the front just under 2f out when ridden, thereafter staying on strongly to win by a comfortable two lengths. He’s been an ultra consistent horse for his connections, having now won twice and not been out of the first three in his six starts since arriving from Ireland late last year. The future appears bright for this lovely six year old.
Next up was Dream Deal who was having his first start back after his holidays and hadn’t run for 224 days. He was therefore entitled to be a little rusty but he ran really well over the 5f trip under Jack Garritty to finish 6th, only beaten 4 & 1/4 lengths. He’s another young horse who will give his owners, the Barker family, plenty to look forward to.
Last up was Bowman having his 3rd run for the yard in the 0-70 over 7f . It was the 6 year old’s first start following recent wind surgery and whilst it can often take a run for a horse to appreciate it can breath properly, Bowman clocked on straight away and beat the closest of his eight rivals by 1 & 3/4 lengths in a beautifully timed run by Jack Garritty.
Special mention must be given to Kev as having three runners in consecutive races is no mean feat!
Winners are of course always special, and a double even more so, but the manner in which all three horses ran made it a proud evening for Danny & the team.