We enjoyed a nice Winter Warmer yesterday with a double from Mickley-bred horses – Cheltenham-bound SPREAD BOSS TED won in Ireland for Willie Mullins, and Run For Joy got the first win on the board this year for Massaat at Kempton last night.
SPREAD BOSS TED won a Navan maiden hurdle last month, has followed up in nice style at Fairyhouse to land back to back victories in impressive fashion when taking down the Easter Festival Novice Hurdle. He is now two from three over hurdles, and also won a bumper as a 5 year old. He needed the run when attempting hurdles for the first time in November, coming back from a 469 day break, but has done very well since, winning both his subsequent starts.
Bred at Mickley Stud for owner/breeder Roger Brookhouse, this gelding son of Yorgunnabelucky sat a few lengths off the lead yesterday and warmed to his task in the latter stages. He was always going to win from two out, and a bright future looks assured. Congratulations to Mr Brookhouse, trainer Willie Mullins, and pilot Paul Townend.
On the other side of the water, MASSAAT recorded his first winner of the year at Kempton, with the success of RUN JOY RUN. This 3 year old filly, bred at Mickley by Richard Kent and David Evans, has improved for the recent fitting of cheekpieces. She was only beaten a neck at Lingfield last time out, caught late, but made no mistake at Kempton yesterday, getting plenty of cover and was delivered with a late run by jockey Laura Coughlan, the mile proving no problem. Congratulations to trainer Adam West and owners Fred Willson And Richard Kent!
