By Peter Moore at Kempton Park Wednesday 10th January 2024
A first and last race double from jockey Rossa Ryan was the highlight on a fine evenings racing at a bitterly cold Kempton Park on Wednesday.
A nine race card ensured there was plenty of races for punters to bet on in the cold conditions, with a special mention to the hardy souls who braved the artic conditions.
Ryan struck first blood in the opener on the 11-1 chance Rhasidat, getting the filly to get her nose in front by a short head. The Irish filly was having her first run for new trainers Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole after leaving the Irish yard of Adrian McGuinnes.
Rossa had to wait until the last race on the card before bringing up his double on the night when the 13-2 shot Premier Beauty, trained by Stuart Williams at Newmarket who also saddled the winner of the fourth race of the evening with Got No Dollars who got the better of the favourite Laura’s Breeze by a neck under apprentice Luke Catton.
In between Ryan’s double the crowd were certainly looking forward to the appearance of El Cordobes. The three year old colt cost 2,000,000gns as a yearling. The Frankel colt is a half brother to a useful 7f/1m winner Amniarix Dam.
On his first appearance he finished sixth at Kempton over C&D 35 days ago. There was sufficient evidence that he would gain from this appearance and a bad draw and looked a class horse after winning the fifth race, with James Doyle on board.
A selection of part owners of the Old Gold Racing syndicate were on hand to watch Running The Game run in the 1m 2f novice stakes.
The gelding had proved disappointing in his previous couple of runs over hurdles. Trainer Gary Moore decided to switch codes and run him over the AW which proved successful with the four year old always well placed before switching to the outside to time his run to perfection to get up to win.