BUCKNA WINS AT HEREFORD AND AQUA BLEU WINS AT DONCASTER

BUCKNA WINS AT HEREFORD

It was great to see BUCKNA get his head in front last Tuesday, when he WON the Teeton Mill Handicap Chase 3m 1f at Hereford under a confidence-giving ride from Brendan Powell. It was only Buckna’s second start over fences, having pulled up on his first run last month at Newton Abbot. His jumping that day had not what we see at home, and so stepping up in trip and making everything happen a little bit more slowly for him seemed to be the way to go this time- and it worked perfectly! Buckna grew in confidence throughout the race and when Brendan asked him to go and put the race to bed after the last, Buckna put his head down and galloped gamely all the way to the line!

Buckna was ultra- consistent over hurdles last year and was always placed, so to see him finally win was particularly satisfying- he was always going to improve for a fence and he will no doubt go from strength to strength this season. Well done to Maria who looks after Buckna, and of course to his owners Jim and Claire!

AQUA BLEU WINS AT DONCASTER

AQUA BLEU made the trip up to Doncaster last Friday to run for only the second time in his career. A 3-year-old son of Bleu Bresil, Aqua Bleu was purchased last year with the intent of targeting the new Junior National Hunt Hurdle races which have been introduced to the racing calendar. He is a really rangy individual who goes very well at home, but on his first run was a little green throughout the race and finished a nice second and learning plenty in the meantime. We had hoped he would take a big step forward on his second run, and he did just that!

Kielan Woods took the ride this time and the pair travelled and jumped with great fluency throughout the race before leading easily 2 from home, and then staying on really strongly to WIN the Cadburys Ice Cream EBF Junior NH Hurdle 2 miles by a margin of 12 lengths!

Well done to owners Jim and Claire and to Yvette who looks after Aqua Bleu- there should be plenty more good days to come!