BILL BAXTER WINS AGAIN!

Bill Baxter made the long journey up to Kelso last week to run in the Bet365 Cyril Alexander Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase over 2m 5f on Saturday.

Sean Bowen rode Bill Baxter this time, replacing injured brother James who broke his arm in a fall at Huntingdon 2 weeks ago. Sean gave Bill a really positive ride, getting him into a lovely rhythm and using his jumping throughout the race to stretch the rest of the field. Jumping the last two fences it was a 2-way battle between Bill Baxter and a horse called Half Shot, trained by Iain Jardine. Half Shot looked to be travelling a little more comfortably than Bill Baxter, but Bill stuck his head down and battled hard all the way up the run-in, even when the other horse lent in on top of him, leaving Bill short of room on the rail. Bill Baxter and Sean Bowen returned to the paddock triumphant after a photo finish showed them to have won by a head!

It is so great to see Bill Baxter going from strength to strength, and this win was a little bit of exoneration for him being an unlucky faller last time out, where he looked to have the race at his mercy. Bill has now won 3 of his 5 starts over fences, he just keeps improving and there is sure to be more to come from this tenacious little horse.

Well done to the whole team at home, Bill’s owners Adrian and Marie, and a special well done to Lucy who looks after Bill, and of course to Warren who rides Bill himself every day!

RACECOURSE GALLOPERS

Last Tuesday we took 4 of our unraced Bumper horses for a racecourse gallop at Kempton Park Racecourse.

Dreadpoetssociety, Theyseekhimthere, Bel Mare and Storm Ryder took the whole day in their stride, had a lovely introduction to the racecourse and will have come on a lot in their education. Days like these are really important as they teach young horses to be relaxed in a new environment and really helps when it comes to their racecourse debut proper.