A win with Mountbatten

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the inside of a winners enclosure, but I was finally back there last weekend courtesy of Mountbatten.

This big son of Dabirism is a horse that Archie Watson has taken his time with. He’s never necessarily been the quickest learner, and he’s almost always been a bit too big for himself so he needed that time as a two year old just to fill into his frame and let the penny drop.

I was a little concerned before the race that he may need the run mentally as he spends most of his time at home looking around at everything in dreamland, but when he attempted to shoot off with me down to post I realised he’d switched himself on for the occasion.

He pinged the gates and was very quick into stride, travelling strongly in front in my hands. I was able to stack them up and get a nice breather into him between the four and the three and then let him slip off the bend and he lengthened away nicely. He did get a little idle in the last furlong and was probably just starting to get tired but he was entitled to with it being his first run.

He could end up being a really nice horse for Deva Racing Group, who had plenty of owners there on the night for support, and I’d imagine he’ll be aimed at another median auction before the turf season kicks off. He’ll have to carry a penalty but I think he’ll have improved enough for that first run that it would take something above average to go and beat him.

For me, crossing the line on a winner after so long off the track and even longer without a winner, the main emotion was relief. That was followed roughly five strides later with an immediate thought of, “ I need another one.” Hopefully I won’t have to wait so long for the next.

I’m heading to Lingfield on Tuesday for Archie to ride Clifftop Heaven. This lad hasn’t been with us very long so we’re still learning about him, but he was super consistent for his previous trainer last year. He was always there or thereabouts in the finish and he looks a proper genuine stayer. He’s back on his last winning mark of 63 now so he won’t be miles away in what looks a competitive race for the grade. 

Then it’s off to Southwell on Thursday for two rides. Jessie Pye runs for John O’Shea over six furlongs. This filly is unlucky to still be a maiden after finishing second twice last year, and she definitely has the ability to rectify that sooner rather then later. Her comeback run was a little disappointing but she’s done an awful lot of growing over the winter and has turned into a big unit, so it’s possible that it may take her longer to get up to full fitness. I’m sure she’ll put in a more encouraging run on Thursday. 

Stilleto runs for Ben James on the same card. He might need a shade of luck to get into this race as it’s a 0-70 and he’s rated 71, but I’m hoping he can sneak in as we’ve had this type of race in mind for him since his last run. I rode him last time out at Wolverhampton and was pretty pleased with the way he went, but I think this step up in trip at a more galloping track will be much more up his street. The handicapper has relented slightly and dropped him two pounds aswell, so that should help his case and I’m hopeful that he can go much closer this time. 

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