John Groucott’s delight at Catterick first
Tuesday 15th February 2011, 11:29AM GMT.
Shropshire trainer John Groucott enjoyed a first ever win at Catterick as the impressive Pret A Thou hit the mark.
The eight-year-old, owned by businessman Clive Tipton from Bayston Hill, claimed the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Handicap Chase to make the trip from Groucott’s base at Bourton, near Much Wenlock, worthwhile.
Pret A Thou showed a smart turn of foot between the final two fences, despite running keen early on.
A lasting impression of his display was his bold jumping under Harry Challoner.
“He’s an absolute pleasure to train,” said Groucott. “He’s so enthusiastic, he just loves his work.
“That’s my first winner at Catterick. I’ve had a second here but we tend not to send many as it is a long way to come for us.
“He handles loose ground when it’s quite soft but when it’s sticky he doesn’t like it.
“He was running off 132 yesterday so I’d hope the handicapper doesn’t put him above 135 because that’s his mark,” he added. “It was his first win over that sort of trip (two miles and three furlongs).
“We took him to Aintree last year but the ground was too quick for him and maybe we will go again.”
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