- Pyledriver completes fromthehorsesmouth.info 5 horse 1,206-1 accumulator at Lingfield
By Andrew Atkinson
Martin Dwyer rode Pyledriver to complete a fromthehorsesmouth.info 5 horse 1,206-1 winning accumulator at Lingfield Park on Saturday with a Canadian Bet paying £4,034.
Trained by William Muir and C. Grassick, Pyledriver gained a half-length win over Harrovian in the Listed Class 1 Betway Churchill Stakes over 1m 2f, backed down from 85-40 on track.
Independent Act (5-1), Valentinka (10-1), Desert Lime (5-4), Smith (9-4) and Pyledriver (6-4) were winning tips.
“After a lengthy lay off, he was in decent nick, although only 80 percent fit, he was the best horse in the race after five months off,” said Dwyer.
“He’s an exuberant runner and it was a big stepping stone for the big races.
“I wanted him to do a bit of work today. He’s a Grade 1 horse and a successful story for all concerned,” added Dwyer.
Co-trainer Muir said: “You learn to be patient. This horse is not fit and 12 kilos over his racing weight.
“My aim is to go to Hong Kong. It was a he’ll of a performance.”
Cheltenham – Sue Smith trained Midnight Shadow lands Paddy Power Gold Cup
Quote: ‘It is special for everybody – because we’re only a small yard and northern people don’t get to do this very often so it’s lovely’
Knight Salute (9-2) and Third Time Lucki (2-5) were winning fromthehorsesmouth.info selections at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Where’s Maud Gone (5-1) (3.55) tipped each-way finished fifth with Skybet paying 5 places. Tip, Plan Of Attack (1.05) was a non-runner.
Paddy Power Gold Cup
Lalor (7-1) tipped each-way was placed in the Paddy Power Gold Cup won by Sue Smith trained Midnight Shadow (9-1) under jockey Ryan Mania.
A jubilant Smith who celebrated the win with husband Harvey and connections, said: “It’s out of this world – because we had the one horse to bring down here and he is a good horse, he’s always been a good horse.”
Midnight Shadow, who challenged for the lead when Coole Cody came down at the second last, pecked on landing but went on to beat Protektorat, with Lalor third. Dostal Phil finished fourth.
“He’s a proper horse, this – you always worry with a big field, you want a horse that can jump and travel and he goes out there and just does everything so easy,” said Mania.
“He’s been so consistent for the yard, it’s so big to get a big win on the table.
“He does idle in front – he’s like that at home schooling. When he hit the front it’s a long way home.
“I’ve travelled six hours to be here today – it’s well worth the journey,” added Mania.
Smith added: “He’s just paid us back today – proper – and I’m delighted.
“There’s quite a lot of horses that have done what he did at the last fence after they’ve landed.
“I just thought, ‘well that’s it.’ But he picked himself up and kept going.
“It’s magic because you don’t often come by a horse like this – he is a special horse.
“It is special for everybody – because we’re only a small yard and northern people don’t get to do this very often so it’s lovely.”
Caption: Sue Smith: Special – we’re only a small yard – Northern people don’t get to do this very often.
