HORSE RACING: Edmunds is a victim of his own success

Edmunds currently expects to handle around 30 horses for this winter’s National Hunt campaign, clearly satisfied at becoming a 
victim of his own success with the likes of Wolf Of Windlesham, Petethepear, Sneaking Budge and Cloonacool making the last jumping campaign such a memorable one, 
while Wolf Of Windlesham additionally scoring on the Flat.

Edmunds said: “We have just started work on building six more boxes this week so I would expect to be dealing with around 30.

“Ideally I would like to have 40 but that is more of a longer term plan.”

Edmunds saddled Aristocles in the 2m juvenile maiden hurdle at Worcester on Tuesday evening but the Brendan Powell-ridden runner once again frustrated his connections on the track, despite having regularly proven that he has an engine during his work at home on the gallops.

Ereyna, a winner at Uttoxeter in July, finished third at Southwell last week despite being found to be in season and the yard’s runners continue to perform consistently.

Shares are currently available in the Edmunds-trained Apasionado in the colours of Nick Brown Racing with the five-year-old chestnut gelding moving across the Irish Sea after three runs in bumpers in Ireland, finishing third of 10 in each of the last two at Down Royal and Kilbeggan.

Brown was already excited by the new prospect but his enthusiasm doubled after watching Stolen Diamond, who finished three lengths ahead of Apasionado at Kilbeggan, win a similar contest at Bellewstown.

Brown said: “Apasionado had no sort of run at a vital stage of the race and his jockey held his hands up and admitted he should have won.

“Stolen Diamond won last week’s race in very striking fashion so we can say our fellow has form in the book!”

The newcomer has been penciled in for a bumper at Market Rasen on September 24 which should prove company in the horse box for the yard’s highest rated 
runner Cloonacool who is being prepared to defend his crown in the Prelude Hurdle.

KATIE Gale appeared on the same Worcester card as Aristocles in the concluding 2m handicap hurdle on Tuesday evening.

Although the six-year-old mare failed to follow up her recent Southwell victory in the hands of Jamie Moore, she still managed a respectable third, beaten only seven and a quarter lengths behind Moonday Sun and My Mo.

Trained by Mick Appleby near Newark, Katie Gale runs in the colours of Orlingbury man Geoff Goodwin and his Ferrybank Properties concern.

Katie Gale races prominently and with enthusiasm and it could be she is tried over a slightly longer distance in the near future.

THE 100 run landmark is looming for consistent eight-year-old sprinter Whitecrest which runs in the colours of Overstone couple Graham and Julia Eales.

Outing number 96 took place at Brighton recently and the Ishiguru mare was due to move within three of her ton at Bath on Wednesday where Megan Nicholls, daughter of 10 times champion National Hunt trainer Paul was due to ride Whitecrest for only the second time.