Listed winner for Value Racing Club

The New Year couldn't have got off to a better start for Value Racing Club with Solly's Gold (9/4) - who was highlighted in the Christmas Special - winning the Listed four year old bumper at Cheltenham on Thursday. In front of a record crowd of 44,151, the James Owen trained runner maintained his unbeaten record with a two and a half lengths victory under Sean Bowen. Indeed, the champion jockey's mount was always travelling smoothly and made his move towards the bottom of the hill. Pushed up into contention early in the homestraight, the Soldier of Fortune gelding hit the front approaching the final furlong before being kept up to his work to win comfortably. Bought for €8,000 as a yearling, he had won in good style on his debut at Wetherby earlier this month and had no trouble with the sounder surface here. Full credit to racing manager James Couldwell, who bought him cheaply and Solly's Gold is now a valuable commodity. I am looking forward to catching up with James regarding future plans. 

Subscribers will be aware that the Christmas Special includes an interview with Sam Thomas. The Gold Cup winning jockey has endured a frustrating few days since Alfie's Princess won at Wincanton on Boxing Day. Jubilee Express pulled up in the Welsh National at Chepstow, while Lump Sum was found to be lame after finishing last in the Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at Kempton. Sam was particularly bullish about the prospects of Katate Dori in the staying handicap chase at Cheltenham - he commented on page 11: "We worked him last Thursday and he appears to be back to his best. He looks amazing and I couldn't be happier with him." Denied by half a length, the 7/1 chance ran a blinder. When your luck is out........

It might be a New Year but some things never change - Declan Phelan's Irish Pointers article in One Jump Ahead had yet another winner on Thursday. With Nolimit (3/1) made all the running in the bumper at Fairyhouse showing a good attitude in the process fending off a couple of rivals before scoring by a length and a quarter. Fourth on his Rules debut at Navan last month, the Bande gelding provided Gordon Elliott with his fourth winner of the day (from 9 runners).