Stratospheric
Tue 08 Oct 2024
Winner 78 of 2024: COPSHILL LAD, trained by Harry Derham and ridden by Alice Stevens. ‘Recycling Association Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle’ at Stratford over 2m6.
The lightly raced 6-year-old, who is now an incredible 2-2 at Stratford, was well-backed prior to the race and went off as the 2/1 favourite in the 10-runner field. Our beautiful grey, who only moved to Harry’s in Boxford after his summer break, travelled well and jumped in a great manner under the conditional Alice Stevens. He did hit his usual flat spot about half a mile from home, but stayed on relentlessly and battled all the way to the line to get the better of the eventual second by a neck.
Watch the full replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/results/2024-10-07/stratford-on-avon/1442
Alice Stevens spoke to the owners after the race: "Delighted with Copshill Lad today, he really stuck his head out for me. We got racing early down the back straight, but he is that one-paced, relentless galopper who stays so well, and all he did was helping me. He hit the line hard and jumped fantastic. That was just excellent. Well done everyone."
Timerform rated his victory with a 112+, saying: "Justified support after 9 months off on his first start since leaving Anthony Charlton, seeing the race out really well in first-time cheekpieces following a breathing operation, needing nearly every yard after looking an unlikely winner 2 out; chased leaders, lost ground seventh, headway under pressure before last, stayed on to lead run-in, driven out."
Find the official photo gallery here: https://www.onlinepictureproof.com/sdphotos/albums/stratford/901127/browse/
Syndicate Manager Tom after the race: "Congratulations. Brilliant to get him off to a perfect start under Harry Derham's care. The race was very spread out at times, and luckily for our fella, they went very hard at the front end and the pace collapsed late on. Once Copshill Lad came challenging the opposition turning for home, we knew stamina would come to the fore and he did stay on strongly to deny the second placed horse. Delighted for Harry to get off to a flying start with him, and let's hope we can see him on a racecourse again soon. Well done to everyone."