Gorsky Island repays Tom George's Ludlow faith
In-form trainer Tom George was prepared to back his judgement with money when Gorsky Island went to the sales – and that paid off at Ludlow yesterday.
Gorsky Island landed the Boyne Cup by three quarters of a length from the battling Roll The Dice in a race that saw the winner, under Paddy Brennan, always travelling well.
Roll The Dice had led the field into the home straight but Gorsky Island was in his slipstream and he took up the running from the second last fence. But he idled on the run-in, giving Roll The Dice the chance to put him under pressure.
George revealed that of the 24 horses he sent to the sales, the six-year-old was the only one he bought back.
He explained: "I was never really happy with him last season and there is little doubt that fences have been the making of him.
"He is improving all the time and I was torn between this race and another race at the track in two weeks' time.
"I'm glad I opted for this one."
Just over a week ago, Oyster Shell decided that he was not in the mood for racing and planted himself at the start and refused to run, the first time he has acted in such a way.
Yesterday, he did race – and very well – but this time he found one too good in the Venetia Williams trained Vivaccio, who was as impressive on this occasion as he was over course and distance nearly three weeks ago.
The power of Tony McCoy was seen in full force in the mares handicap hurdle as he bought favourite Pass The Time down the stands side to take the verdict in a thrilling finish with Stephanie Frances.
Now the five-year-old will again be aimed at the Mares Final at the Cheltenham Festival after she was only beaten by six and half lengths in seventh place.
Pass The Time had tracked long time leader Cloudante for most of the way before taking up the running at the third last. But Stephanie Frances went with her and they battled all the way to the line.
Trainer Neil Mulholland said: "I think she prefers to go left handed but AP was brilliant on her, he knows what to do."
He added: "She is home bred and the owners are keen to have another crack at the Festival race again next year."
Rio Milan gave Fergal O'Brien his first winner at the Shropshire track when getting the better of Shinooki from the final flight.
They were together at the fourth last fence before Rio Milan broke away to win by nine lengths.
O'Brien said: "The owners have been very patient with him. He ran well at Leicester last time. The ground is so important for him."
Seaviper landed the conditional jockeys novices handicap hurdle when holding favourite Under The Phone, who was staying on strongly after making up plenty of ground from the home turn, and in the finale Arthamint took the verdict for Dan and Harry Skelton.
