Tartan earns his stripes at Southwell

There was a lot of money around prior to the race for Tartan Jura, trained by Mark Johnston and ridden by jockey Silvestre De Sousa, who had recently returned from Dubai where he had ridden the winner of the World Cup, African Story to success.

He had some stiff opposition in the form of recent course winner Teajaybe who hails from the yard of Chris Dwyer in Newmarket, a trainer who has had some great success with horses on Fibresand such as Hannah’s Turn.

Recession Proof was also in the line up with the step up in distance likely to suit this former Betfair Hurdle winner more than most.

In the race itself, Tartan Jura was being nudged along from an awful long way out, with ‘SDS’ nudging and probing away on his mount to try and repel the horses behind him, with Teajaybe and Ben Curtis galloping all over him from the end of the back straight to the two furlong pole.

Tartan Jura, however, was dogged and showed a good attitude to grind out victory by half a length to reward favourite backers.

Jockey Ryan While teamed up with his grandad Bill Turner for another two year old winner in the shape of Abscent Friends in the opening race.

He looked stunning in the paddock beforehand and duly obliged by making just about all down the stands rail to score by just over a length.

Red Invader was a rare runner at the course for trainer Charlie Hills, and it was a worthwhile trip as his horse really took to the Fibresand well under Robert Winston to beat Very First Blade by a very cosy two lengths, and you sense that he may be returning to an artificial surface next time to try and follow up as opposed to running on turf.

Finally, Oisin Murphy again showed his worth, making all on 10-year-old Hamoody in the six furlong claiming stakes for trainer Joseph Tuite.

Southwell’s Summer Music Evenings are just about to get going, with live music after evening race meeting, both over the jumps and on the all-weather, to find out more and book tickets visit www.southwell-racecourse.co.uk.