There was just enough time to hear Oli Bell declare on The Morning Line that this was 'the perfect day for sitting on the sofa watching the racing' as I closed the door to make the 350 mile round trip to Fontwell. That a healthy number of the Expecting to Fly Racing Club donned their coats to do the same is not just testament to the appetite of the club for race days but also to the ambition of racegoers country-wide to get back on racecourses.
Soft, heavy in places was the word from the course. Novice punters looking for layman's term explanations of going types need only know that a men's small heeled brogue shoe stood absolutely no chance when making the short walk across the home straight into the stand.
A month after springing a 100/1 surprise second over the same course and distance, Storm Arcadio took his chance on the ground. Nine went to post with the market rating our 4yo a 7th best 14/1 shot, Fergus Gregory once again taking the ride. Another 'Best Turned Out' winner for the yard if you're keeping count as well.
"towards rear, ridden and headway home straight, kept on
Given plenty of cover throughout the first circuit and half Storm once again travelled smoothly in the pack moving to challenge in the home straight. Whilst the eventual winner looks very smart (and justified plenty of market support beforehand), we've finished a neck behind the second with the front 3 coming well clear of more fancied runners at the post. A solid run, on ground we think was less than ideal, that backs up his performance last time out.
The steps forward that Storm has taken since his first run under rules at Market Rasen in August have pleased us all, his racecourse education in bumpers is done, schooling over hurdles has already begun and we're looking forward to the winter with him.
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