Herefordshire property developer turned horse trainer wins
Owner trainer Clive Boultbee-Brookes, based at Woolhope has his small string firing at present and had his second winner in a week when the promising El Granjero won the opening two mile three-and-a-half-furlong Maiden hurdle by nine lengths.
Unluckily touched off by a nose on his previous visit to the Holmer track, El Granjo was kept close to the front-running Stay If U Want To by his jockey Richard Patrick and once taking then lead at the second last hurdle the five-year-old son of Youmzain drew clear promisingly and a solid career over fences next season could beckon next season.
Boultbee-Brookes, a successful property developer, with an increasing string of nearly 20 horses, including a number of young improving performers was celebrating his fifth winner of the season.
Williams continued her fine run of form with Intimate becoming her 55th winner of the season with a smooth win in the two-mile novices handicap hurdle.
Sent to the front by jockey Charlie Deutsch approaching the second last flight, Intimate drew clear of his rivals to score easily by 10 lengths with Tour Ovalie in second and the disappointing 7/4 favourite Cawthorne Banker a further two and a half lengths back in third place.
Owners Brocade Racing had the previously successful Native River, a past Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, and they have a promising prospect in Jurancon, with trainer David Pipe and he secured a second bumper success from three starts in the concluding two-mile bumper race.
On the soft ground the stamina of Irish point-to-point winner Jurancon came to the fore with jockey Jack Tudor’s mount staying on strongly to beat another bumper scorer 11/10 favourite Rocking Man by three lengths with the also promising Strong As Steel, trained by Broadwas trainer James Evans.
Commenting after the race Pipe said: “He’s a lovely youngster and we’ll put him away now and go hurdling next season. He’s a nice horse with a good attitude and has shown improved form with every run.”
Another small trainer returning to the winner’s enclosure was Kayley Woollacott who continued her fine recent form, when her Sylvies Dance won the two mile three and a half furlong mares’ handicap hurdle.
Victory for Ben Godfrey’s mount was defying a 244-day lay-off and giving Woolacott her 10th winner of season and second in the previous 10 days.