A glorious Wednesday afternoon for some summer midweek jumping action attracted over 1300 paying guests. If the prospect for some socialising in the Staffordshire sunshine wasn't enough then being welcomed to the course with some of the 90s greatest boyband hits playing over the loudspeaker certainly added a spring into most racegoers steps. Come Racing as they say.
A break of 189 days since we last saw STORM ARCADIO on a racecourse, the ground and his limited experience not quite seeing him the best light last time out at Hexham which followed some promising bumper runs in behind future winners.
For his first run after a break we were pleased, on arguably the fastest ground he has encountered he was given a patient ride by HARRY BANNISTER, asked to drop out early he gave plenty of respect to his first few hurdles but once settled stayed on well to finish 3rd.
Very much two races in one as the 2/9 favourite I'M SO BUSY made all and strung the field out quickly, once asked to chase the leading pack down our son of Arcadio moved nicely to challenge HELFORD RIVER on the run in, staying on well and finishing a 3/4 length third, 8 lengths behind the winner, a distance ahead of the remainder of the field.
Storm needed the run last year and we're hopeful he continues to progress, while we think he'll want further in time there could be some mileage in staying a 2m for now and making the most of his straight forward nature in novice hurdles this summer.
