EVEN MORE WINNERS AND A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!

Posted December 22, 2025

MIGHTY BANDIT WINS AT NEWBURY

MIGHTY BANDIT has taken to fences like a duck to water! Having finished second on his first run over fences last month, he headed back to Newbury last Wednesday to take his place in the JM Finn Handicap Chase over 2 miles, this time partnered by Sean Bowen.

The pair raced in second, with Mighty Bandit really attacking his fences throughout the race and never missing a beat, the pair then took up the lead jumping the last fence and stormed up the run in to WIN by one and three-quarter lengths.

It is great to see this horse growing in confidence over obstacles, and the aim will be to keep running him in these higher class handicaps and hopefully keep scooping up the prizes for his owners Jim and Claire.

BUCKNA WINS AT HEREFORD

BUCKNA is another horse to have really found his mojo since making the switch to fences, and after securing his first win over fences last month at Hereford, he headed back there on Saturday to run on the 7One7 Handicap Chase over 3 m 1f. It was Richard Patrick’s turn to ride the course and distance winner this time, and Buckna did not disappoint!

Buckna travelled really enthusiastically throughout the race and although he jumped left on a few occasions, he didn’t lose any ground and disputed the lead for most of the race. He was ridden along approaching the last fence, but stayed on much the strongest of the field, storming up the home straight to cross the line 10 lengths ahead of his nearest rival.

Well done again to owners Jim and Claire who were really patient with Buckna during his season hurdling last year, where he was consistently placed but never managed to get the win. We always knew this horse would be a better chaser, and we are now reaping the rewards of all his education, with plenty more to come!

AQUA BLEU WINS AT LINGFIELD

Yesterday saw AQUA BLEU heading to Lingfield to run in the attheraces.com EBF Junior NH Hurdle over 2 miles, just over 3 weeks after winning at Doncaster.

James Bowen took the ride this time, and with experience under their belt, James had no qualms of making the running. Aqua Bleu travelled and jumped really nicely throughout the race and showed a professionalism beyond his experience, and when James asked for a little bit more on the run-in to the line, Aqua Bleu duly responded and stretched on nicely to win easily by 4 and a half lengths.

As with fellow Junior NH Hurdle winners Milou Du Chenet and Apollon Forlonge, Aqua Bleu is showing some real talent in his early career and will be handled carefully to ensure we get the best out of him for many years to come!

It has been a hat-trick of wins for Jim and Claire Ltd this week, and we have really enjoyed seeing their colours in the Winners Enclosure so often!

Well done and thank you to all the team at home who will continue to work tirelessly over Christmas and New Year, and hopefully we can keep the winners rolling in!