True Romance Blossoms At Southwell

True Romance made his jumping debut today at Southwell in the 2m Novices’ Hurdle.

Although facing just three other rivals, he was up against a very short priced favourite (1/16) who had recently posted two impressive wins over hurdles & was therefore running with a double penalty, although that was slightly negated by his regular jockey claiming 7lbs.

Despite True Romance being the only debutante in the field, and apparently keen to get on with matters initially, he jumped the fixed brush hurdles brilliantly under Henry (Brooke) and was always prominent, tracking the front running favourite.

Henry sent him on to lead approaching the last, at which he produced one of his best jumps of the whole race, and they went readily clear on the flat to win by 9 lengths.

We are all absolutely delighted for the gorgeous, if sometimes “charismatic”, Truey, but even more so for his owner Kiel Ward who has been immensely patient with the five year old, even when he didn’t quite fulfil expectations last year on the flat. Clearly having a few fences to break up the monotony of just plain old galloping was all he was missing!

End

04/06/19