Monday 20th July 2015

What a day we had on Saturday with Gran Maestro, the plan that was hatched after the Sandown second place back in April, came off. We purposely kept Granny’s hurdle rating for the prestigious Summer Hurdle hence running on the flat since.

It was a magnificent day for his owners and for Value Racing Club, we’ve now won two major races in one year with just six horses in training. It goes to show if you’re with the right people and have owners that understand what we’re trying to achieve, whilst don’t buy any old neddy for the sake of it these results can happen.

The race really couldn’t have gone any better, Will Kennedy was magnificent and got GM off to a flyer, I don’t think we were worse than 3^rd position for the duration. The pace was solid from the off and never dropped but we new Gran Maestro wouldn’t stop galloping and he was able to burn the majority of rival's away.

Hammersly Lake ensured it was a real fight jumping the last but Will Kennedy was strong as an ox whilst Gran Maestro was primed for this day by Dr Richard Newland and wouldn’t be passed. Cue huge celebrations that went long into the night and carried on well into Sunday, it was just a brilliant weekend and one we will never forget.

The owner’s bank balances are also looking pretty healthy too, 16-1 was a very nice return and the £20,000 in prize money.