Another first time out winner for February Update

On Wednesday afternoon, I interviewed Tim Easterby for Ahead On The Flat. The Great Habton based handler sent out 117 winners in 2022 and the stable has been bolstered with some new arrivals during the winter. With the assistance of his son William, Tim has done particularly well with his purchases from other yards in recent years, including Boardman, Copper Knight, Dark Jedi and Snash. They were active at the Newmarket Horses in Training Sale last Autumn and it will be interesting to see how his new additions perform in 2023. Over the years, Tim has also kindly passed on news of his juveniles - three years ago, he nominated Winter Power as one to follow. This time around, he has selected three two year olds to watch out for this term.

The February Update highlighted Brighterdaysahead as an unraced horse to follow and the Kapgarde filly didn't disappoint winning by 13 lengths on her debut in a bumper at Gowran Park on Saturday. Owned by Gigginstown House Stud and trained by Gordon Elliott, her stablemate Speculatrix (4/6) was also nominated in the Update and she, too, scored at the first time of asking at Punchestown on Wednesday. Strong in the market beforehand, the No Risk At All filly, who cost €115,000 as a three year old, travelled smoothly before being pushed out to win by a neck. 

I will be back to update the Diary on my return from the Million In Mind open day at Paul Nicholls yard on Friday. Thank you very much to those clients who have already purchased the OJA Cheltenham Festival Update - the response has been superb and greatly appreciated. The Update will include a report of my visit to the Champion trainer's Ditcheat yard. Talking of the Festival, don't be surprised to hear news about a former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner who was due to line up in steeplechasing's Blue Riband in the next few days.