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!

Runner-up on his previous two starts, including at Chelmsford a week ago, Storm Melody returned to winning ways with a decisive success at Chelmsford yesterday evening under Rab Havlin, who was on board the eight year old for the first time.

A winner on the All-Weather in February, he wasn't at his best on turf this summer, but a return to artificial surfaces has suited him and followed two very good efforts in defeat, he gained a deserved win yesterday, going to the front before the home bend and keeping on really strongly in the re-applied blinkers, which he was sporting for just the third time in his career to date.

The switch of headgear obviously looks to have had a positive effect and hopefully that win will give him plenty of confidence.  Now the winner of six races since joining us for just £2,800 in August 2018, he is a real favourite in the yard and it would be great to see him go on to further success this autumn.  Congratulations to his owners Shaw Racing!