Not So Cold!
Sun 21 Apr 2024
WINNER 24 OF 2024: COLD STARE, trained by David O'Meara and ridden by David Nolan: The 'Happy 19th Birthday Lily Watkinson Handicap' over 6f at Thirsk.
Second in this race last year, there were two joint favourites for this race, but with the ground described as 'soft' you can never discount him in these conditions.
Drawn in 9 towards the centre he broke okay and settled towards the rear. As the leaders began to come under pressure, he was picking them off towards the centre of the track. Making good headway approaching the final furlong, he was ridden to take the lead and ran on well to win by 2 and a 1/4 lengths.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/results/2024-04-20/thirsk/1805
Timeform rated it as an 85 performance, saying: "Back on turf with headgear reapplied after 7 weeks off, returned to form to take advantage of his easing mark (runner-up off 6 lb higher mark in division of this race last year); dwelt, soon steadied in group towards centre, good headway out wide over 1f out, led around 1f out, edged right soon after, went clear inside final 100 yds."
See the official photo gallery. here: https://www.hannahaliphotography.co.uk/r5-200424
David said in his Racing TV interview: "We went a good gallop on testing ground and he can do his thing when that happens. At the furlong pole. I thought he was never going to get beat!”
Syndicate manager Mike says: "That's his 9th career wins and he is a credit to David and his team. Well done to them and his owners; it’s nice when a plan comes together and he did it in style! We have a race plan for him next at Haydock and that entry goes in tomorrow."
We have 7.5% of shares available in Cold Stare, which you can read about, here: https://www.middlehamparkracing.net/horses/view,cold-stare_194.htm