Across the card Double
Thu 10 Apr 2025
Winner 17 of 2025: ZIGGY’S MISSILE, trained by Robert Cowell and ridden by Sean Levey. The ‘Join Racing TV Now Handicap’ over 5f at Nottingham.
It was a lovely start to the 2025 Flat Season at Nottingham, on a fresh but sunny Wednesday afternoon.
Our April Fool graduate, Ziggy’s Missile, a three-time winner in 2024, looked magnificent in the pre-limps and caught the eye not only of our owners but also of Racing TV presenters. His form on turf last year might be excused by the fact that he never met his ideal good to firm conditions, which so many daughters and sons of Blue Point seem to favour. Our Breeze Up purchase from 2023 broke well, travelled strongly under Sean Levey and showed a great attitude to rally down the eventual leader inside the last furlong to win comfortably, and well clear of the third horse. A fantastic result, and it was magnificent to see him translate his All-weather form to the turf.
It is never too late to sign up to our mailing list. If you would like to be included in future offers: Click here
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/results/2025-04-09/nottingham/1435
Timeform rated his 4th victory with a 93+, commenting: "Hadn't shown himself effective on turf prior to this, but he evidently is and took full advantage of a lower mark on this surface, doing no more than he had to once in front; tracked leader of group, pushed along over 2f out, led inside final 1f, ran on."
A very happy Robert Cowell this morning:
"Ziggy put up a brave and gutsy display to gain his first victory on turf yesterday at Nottingham. When Sean Levey asked him for his effort he wore down the eventual leader and won a shade cozily. He looked to move really well on the good/firm ground so there’s no reason to think he can’t continue to progress. Well done to the team, and all of his owner, fantastic to see him back in the winner's enclosure."
Find the link for the official photo gallery here: https://www.stevencargill.com/p/35247vpf/C385990848/x9th-april-2025-winners?ppp=0
Winner 18 of 2025: VAN AERT, trained by Archie Watson and ridden by Hollie Doyle. The ‘Unibet More Extra Place Races Handicap’ over 1m4f at Kempton.
It was his seasonal debut, and we were excited to see him back out after some time off, which he took full advantage of, as he grew into a beautiful big specimen. A big step up in trip, but Archie was confident beforehand that he was showing him the right signs at home.
Hollie got him out well and settled him into second place just behind the leading pair. Our lightly raced son of Masar still showed some greenness during the race, but once he hit top gear, he finished well and showed a fantastic attitude to run down the eventual second to win by a nose. A brilliant double on the day, courtesy of yet another Breeze Up and April Fool Graduate.
7.5% became available. Click here to get involved.
Timeform rated his maiden victory with a p72, commenting: "Well backed, showed improved form to get off the mark making handicap/all-weather debut, seeing out the 5f longer trip well once he got the hang of things returning from 10 months off; led early, close up, pushed along 3f out, challenged 1f out, edged right, led near line."
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/results/2025-04-09/kempton-park/2010
Hollie Doyle spoke to our owners after the race: "Well done everyone, great that he got his head in front. He is still very green, which he was entitled to be after such a lenghty time off, but once he got going he showed there is an engine. He stuck his head out for me and rallied all the way to the line. It was nice to see him go clear of the rest. He will come on hugely from today, and should have more to offer going foward."
A very pleased and delighted Syndicate Manager Tom Palin this morning: "Congratulations on a wonderful victory yesterday evening at Kempton. He showed a very willing attitude in the closing stages of the race despite there still being huge amounts of greenness there. He clearly relished the step up in trip and one wouldn’t be afraid to look at going even further with him in time.
Hollie felt that there is a significant engine in there, it’s just a case he doesn’t know how to put it all together and put it on the track. I find this highly exciting, he’s the type who should improve as we go up through the handicaps. He was comfortably the biggest horse in the parade ring and the one with the most scope to improve past this level if truth be told. His stride is huge, covering ground with ease and you’d imagine galloping tracks over stamina distances will be right in his wheelhouse once he learns to use himself correctly. Again, very well done everyone. He rewarded your patience."
Find the official photo gallery here: https://www.hoycubed.com/gallery-collection/April-2025/C0000m6fRpaaU3kU