What a Spirit!
Sat 02 Apr 2022
WINNER 25 OF 2022: SPIRITOFTHENORTH, trained by Kevin Ryan and ridden by Brian Hughes: 'The Join Racing TV Now Maiden Hurdle' over 2m at Wetherby.
With the Champion jockey to be, Brian Hughes in the saddle, they jumped off at the head of affairs, taking a slightly keen hold but jumped well through the early stages of the race. Little changed throughout the race, but as they moved down the back straight, one by one, his rivals began to fall by the wayside and he continued to travel strongly. With 3 hurdles to go, the race was at his mercy, and the only thing stopping him from victory would be himself. He jumped the first two in the straight without issue, but he had our hearts in our mouths jumping the last as he flattened it, but Brian Hughes kept the partnership intact and he was eased down to cross the line a staggering 32 lengths clear.
Watch the full race replay, here: https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/horse_racing_replays/383104-join-racing-tv-now-maiden-hurdle-4
Timeform rated it as career best 123+ saying: "A winner on the Flat since last seen over jumps, showed improved form to get off the mark over hurdles in facile style; made running, travelled smoothly, pressed on leaving 4 out, clear entering straight, shaken up briefly 2 out, in control when blundered last, just kept up to work; he should be up to defying a penalty at this time of year..”
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.onlinepictureproof.com/officialphotographersonline/albums/Wetherby/813950_384463/browse/
Brian said in his Racing TV interview: "We were a bit worried about the ground. He was keen enough early on - but he toughed it out. He's big enough and has always been straight forward.”
Syndicate manager Tim says: "He really is a super syndicate horse is Spiritofthenorth - winning on the all-weather on March 8th and then coming out over hurdles, to win at Wetherby on Thursday. Congratulaitons to his owners. I think he could be the horse with our widest winning margin! Great to end the month with another winner, with our year going way ahead of 2021, for both winners and race prize money. Now the turf season is here, we look forward to seeing our 2yo crop make their debuts, over the coming weeks. We have plenty that will appreciates the 6f races, when they begin in May. Next up, we have the breeze up sales and as usual, we will have our eyes peeled for the next Ventura Storm or Donjuan Triumphant!”
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