Julia Brooke Racing

Copt Hill is a WINNER!!

Sometimes it’s possible to overthink a title, to try to be too clever or witty.

So having spent sleepless hours going through variations of …..

Kev Copts a Festive Toon” (Newcastle United supporters nickname of Toon Army – geddit??); or

Copty shows his rivals a Christmas Tail” (tale as in story, tail as in horse – hhmm?)

……just sometimes it’s best to keep it simple and let the title speak for itself.

Yes he really went and did it – COPT HILL WON AT NEWCASTLE YESTERDAY!!

COPT HILL (Ross Chapman) wins at NEWCASTLE 13/12/18  Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723

A couple of weeks short of his 11th birthday, on his 50th start over hurdles, and a month shy of 6 years since his first (and only) win, Copt Hill celebrated his half century with a length & a half victory over his 8 rivals from out of the handicap in the Class 5, 0-100,  2m 1/2f Handicap Hurdle….and we couldn’t be more proud of him.

His jumping had rather failed him in recent outings so to say he’d been working hard on his technique would be an understatement. And having proved that you can in fact teach an old dog new tricks, he didn’t miss a beat this time at all the obstacles under a lovely ride from Ross Chapman.

Up to his usual tricks at the start, fly bucking and leaping, the Starter fortunately took a pragmatic view of Copt Hill’s unrestrained enthusiasm and let them go. Always prominent, despite having been dropped back in trip, Ross asked him to press the leader to go in front briefly before three out. He was then headed before the next and ridden along when two lengths down.

Having realised that the two flicks of encouragement he gave Copt Hill with the whip between the last two flights weren’t well received, Ross was smart enough to resort to hands & heels, and how the horse responded for him! A fantastic leap at the last followed by a previously undiscovered burst of acceleration saw him rally strongly and regain the lead in the last 50 yards.

Suffice to say Kev Traylor (our Travelling Head Lad & he of unshakeable faith in the horse) was in delirious pieces post-race so it was fortunate that Copt Hill barely had a blow on him and the most they had to do was smile happily for the photos.

It was a shame that Copt Hill’s two main owners, John & Billy Platts, were unable to attend but co-owner Eddie Lamb was there to cheer him on and summed his feelings up perfectly afterwards when he said “I now know where Cloud 9 is because I’m on it!”

Newcastle post-race led in 13-12-18

 

Newcastle post-race 13-12-18 (2)

The signage proves it has really happened!

Newcastle post-race 13-12-18 (1)

Newcastel post-race 13-12-18 (3)

Copt Hill – loved  by Kev & fuelled by carrots….

COPT HILL (Ross Chapman) wins at NEWCASTLE 13/12/18  Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723

End

14/12/18

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