By Andrew Atkinson

Philip Kirby saddled headline tip Ice Pyramid to victory on the All-Weather at Newcastle on Saturday night – where conditions at times were similar to a storm gale – at sea!

As Storm Dennis picked up, torrential rain and blustery gale forced winds hit Newcastle where punters, jockeys, trainers, et al, got a drenching.

Ice-cool Kirby wins at Newcastle as Storm Dennis hits!
Ice-cool Kirby wins at Newcastle as Storm Dennis hits!

Green Oaks Farm stables, Richmond, North Yorkshire based Kirby saddled four of seven runners in the opening race, with Ice Pyramid (1-2) under jockey Ben Curtis, winning the BetWay Handicap over 1m 4f.

Ice Pyramid, who beat Groveman by 5 lengths, formerly with Godolphin, trained by S. bin Suroor, was Curtis’s 82nd winner on the All-weather: “The strong winds and rain, when coming, hit you hard,” said Curtis.

“It was another exciting win for Ice Pyramid; owners Bill Fraser and Adrian Pritchard – and our team – on the wildest and wettest of days,” said Kirby.

“Ice Pyramid headed our team of five runners on Saturday, all on the All-Weather,” said Kirby, who saddled Ice Pyramid against stablemates Lady Camelot, Iconic Belle and Dieu Benisse. Kirby also saddled Flat debutant Red Dragoness in the Fillies Novice Stakes.