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Writer's pictureGavin Horsfall

Race Day: Follow the Paint (Fontwell)

There's this wonderful moment when we get visitors to the yard. They may come to talk about their horses or they may come to talk about buying new horses, without fail though they always end up asking about the moody mare in the stable with the WARNING sign on the door. As the racing world waved Enable off to retirement this month, it's good to know there's still a wonder mare in racing with her own fan club.


In the hours following Paint's gallant second here we were inundated with friends old and new saying well done, she built up quite a following in point-to-points, a well-known jockey got in touch to reminisce about the nightmares they used to have riding her in points. Paint, a multiple point-to-point winner of the years, will love love the fact she's been living rent free in jockey's head for years.


Another talented jockey renewed acquaintances with Follow the Paint for the 3m2f around Fontwell. Tabitha and Paint get on well and had winning course and distance form from 15 months ago.


"chased leader, mistake 3rd, disputed lead from 5th, not fluent 13th, headed after 4 out, kept on again when ridden after last, just held"

The morning rain was expected and welcome as the ground was on the soft side of good to soft, the bigger the test the better, Tabitha and Paint kept up with the pace throughout. For a horse that takes a few gambles at some of her fences, Paint has a great record for staying upright and such was the case here. As the field entered the last mile those up with the pace put the rest of the field under pressure with most not making up ground.


Every chance between the last two fences we just failed to get back on terms after being headed by the eventual winner, a fantastic race though outperforming 8 of the 9 rivals ahead of us in the market. Judging by a few croaky voices today much of the Expecting to Fly Racing Club that she runs for were shouting her home for the place money at 80/1, they were all fans of her before yesterday of course, no doubt Paint has picked up a few more.


Every chance we're out quickly with Paint and Tabitha in the next few weeks.

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