It’s been a great start to September with three winners in as many days.
Belsito got the ball rolling with a fluent success on Wednesday. Kevin Ryan’s popular winner was only denied on the post on his previous start last Monday at Southwell, and gained handsome compensation at Hamilton when coming home nicely clear under Tom Eaves.
How Belsito kicked off the winning run at Hamilton
Always well placed under a positive, well-judged ride, Belsito ran out a decisive winner, powering away from a big field in the closing stages to win with something to spare.
Belsito is in a great vein of form now and will doubtless be out again soon looking to build on this latest good run for his horse racing syndicate.
It was another inmate from the Kevin Ryan team that provided our second winner of the week as Ribble River came out on top in another big field, this time at Haydock on Thursday, in the amateur rider 12-furlong handicap.
Ribble River, a two-time winner last year, was very well ridden by promising young amateur Henry Callan who soon had his mount nicely relaxed.
Ribble River’s well‑timed Haydock success under Henry Callan
As the race progressed Henry bided his time before delivering Ribble River with a well-judged finishing effort in the closing stages. To the delight of his horse racing syndicate, Ribble found generously for Henry’s urgings, to land the third win of his career and see off his 13 rivals.
Another who enjoys a little juice under foot, Ribble River will hopefully now be well placed to kick on from here and enjoy a strong autumn for his owners.
Gentle Warrior’s staying performance signals more to come
Our third and arguably most impressive winner of the month so far was Gentle Warrior who relished the step up to 14 furlongs the following day, again at Haydock.
Another to defy a big field of rivals, Gentle Warrior warmed up gradually through the race before hitting the front in the final quarter mile under promising apprentice Jack Nicholls, to record a career best performance.
The way this likeable, durable three-year-old hit the line, strongly suggests There is much more to come from him, and Karl Burke is already eyeing up a race at Chester next week, where Gentle Warrior would escape a penalty.
Whether he heads there or not, Gentle Warrior looks a young horse to keep on side this autumn as he can’t have the ground soft enough and stays very well.
His success meant it was three winners in three days for the Hambleton runners – not a bad way to start September and another great advert for how well Hambleton’s horses do on the racecourse!
