Estrela Star had finished runner-up on his return from a break at Lingfield Park last month, and with that run under his belt, he went one better in great style at Chelmsford yesterday under Rossa Ryan.

The six year old was running off just 1lb higher than when scoring at Newbury last July and back at the scene of a wide-margin success back in 2020.  Settled in rear, he looked to have plenty to do on the turn for home, but picked up really strongly to come clear in the final furlong.

We'll see what the handicapper does before looking for where we go next, but I'd imagine we can stay in the same grade and he should be very competitive again next time.  

A narrow winner on her handicap/chasing debut at Market Rasen last month, Rosearelli took another step forwards when running out an easy winner at Ffos Las yesterday under James Bowen.

The progressive daughter of Schiaparelli jumped particularly well, travelled beautifully and put the race to bed in a matter of strides, eventually drawing clear to win by four lengths, but value for more.

She was bred by Alison Hyde and races in the colours of the Select Racing Club (together with Alison), with several members of the club in attendance again yesterday.

We'll see what the handicapper does before making any firm plans, but hopefully she can bring up the hat-trick next time!

It had been a little while between drinks for Ardmayle, but he has always come to himself at this time of year and we were all delighted to see him return to winning ways at Southwell yesterday.

Running off a mark below 100 for the first time in his career and sporting a first-time tongue-tie, he seemed to really appreciate the better ground. Racing prominently throughout, he was travelling noticeably best on the turn for home and hit the front at the third-last. He jumped the last two really well under James Bowen and the pair drew clear for a comfortable success.

All seven career successes have now come between January and April - hopefully he can gain plenty of confidence from that success and make a bold bid to follow up next time.  Congratulations to his owners in The One and Only Partnership!

Yorktown had been running really well in defeat in recent weeks, so we were delighted to see him get off the mark with a deserved success at Kempton Park yesterday evening.

He had finished third at the course last time, despite not really having the race run to suit.  However, they went a decent gallop yesterday and that played to his strengths - he travelled well, as is usually the case, but on this occasion the leaders came back to him and Ross Coakley brought Yorktown with a well-timed challenge on the outside to hit the front in the final furlong.

I'm sure there are plenty more races to be won with him on the All-Weather and hopefully he can build on this first success.  Many congratulations to his owners Clare Spencer-Herbert and Laurence Bellman!

Rosearelli had shown ability in novice and maiden company over hurdles late last year and, back from a couple of months off, she took a nice step forward on her chasing debut to score at Market Rasen.

The daughter of Schiaparelli is a half-sister to a five-time winner over fences and the switch to the larger obstacles, together with the move into handicap company, clearly had a very positive effect.  She travelled really nicely through the race under James Bowen and, but for a couple of minor mistakes, she jumped really well in the main.  She really had to knuckle down up the run-in to hold off the persistent challenge of the runner-up and it was a very game performance.

I'm sure she'll learn plenty from it and hopefully she can continue to progress in the coming months.  Many congratulations to members of the Select Racing Club and in particular to Alison Hyde, for whom Rosearelli was a first homebred winner!

After a quiet 2020, Storm Melody has been back on his game in a busy and successful 2021, and he was winning for the fourth time this year when scoring at Lingfield Park yesterday.

Quickly to the front, he faced competition for the lead and raced enthusiastically, but Rab Havlin sent him into a clear lead on the turn for home and Storm Melody soon quickened clear.  The last furlong seemed to last forever and the eventual runner-up got to within a short-head at the line, but thankfully Storm Melody was very game and held on bravely.

That was his 22nd start of the year and he has struck up such a good relationship with Rab, with their record together now standing at three wins from seven starts.

Congratulations to his owners Shaw Racing! 

Lake Sand belatedly got off the mark over a mile at Chelmsford earlier in the month, but the taste of success clearly agrees with him and he followed up over the same course and distance yesterday evening under another excellent ride from Ray Dawson.

The Laurence Bellman-owned four year old was drawn widest of all in stall 13, but Ray did well to get him across and sit in midfield with some cover.  Though he raced keenly, Lake Sand travelled well into the straight and found plenty for pressure, producing a strong late run to get the better of the runner-up in the final couple of strides.

He shouldn't go up too much for the win and in his current vein of form, he should go very close in his bid for the hat-trick next time!

The team continue to run really well and a week on from Helluvaboy's win at Kempton Park, it was fantastic to see Laurence Bellman's colours carried to victory once again yesterday, this time Lake Sand the one shedding his maiden tag.

The four year old son of Footstepsinthesand has had a light campaign this year, but he had shown promise on his return from a couple of months off at Chelmsford in September and, returning to the same track and with that run bringing him on from a fitness perspective, he duly took a step forwards to win in great style, though the success was certainly in no small part down to Ray Dawson, who gave him an excellent ride, finding a gap on the rail and producing a very well-timed challenge.

He is unlikely to go up much in the handicap for that success and I'm confident there is more to come now that he has got his head in front, so hopefully he can make a bold bid to follow up next time.  

We've always thought a bit of Helluvaboy, so it was fantastic to see him get off the mark at Kempton Park yesterday under a well-judged ride from Ray Dawson.

The three year old son of Helmet was sent straight into the lead and travelled sweetly in front in the first-time blinkers.  Ray dictated a sensible pace in front and was able to ensure Helluvaboy had saved a bit for the sprint to the line - he certainly needed to be very game to fend off the late challenge of the runner-up.

A really well-bred individual, he has just needed time to find his feet, but starts off at the right end of the handicap and looks capable of plenty of improvement in the coming months.  I am delighted for his owners Laurence Bellman and Keith Trowbridge, and hopefully Helluvaboy can give them more to celebratew in due course.

Storm Melody is in fine fettle at present and the evergreen eight year old recorded the ninth success of this career in impressive fashion at Lingfield Park yesterday.

Close up from the outset, Rab Havlin sent him into the lead on the home turn and he soon shot clear of his field, looking in no danger some way from home.  It was a well-judged ride and another excellent performance from the Shaw Racing-owned gelding, who has been such a star for us since being purchased three years ago, this being his seventh win for the yard.

We'll see what the handicapper does before making a plan for his next run, but hopefully he can continue in a similar vein in the weeks to come!