By Peter Moore at Wincanton 28th February 2024
Tune In A Box set up a potential trip to Ireland after landing the 2m 5 and a half furlong Full Circle Series At Punchestown Festival Handicap Hurdle for trainer Tom Lacey.
The five-year-old justified 6-4 favouritism to record his third win in four starts. There is a good chance that the grey gelding will make the trip across the water for the Final at the Punchestown Festival.
Success on Tune In A Box completed a double for jockey Stan Sheppard who had earlier ridden Passing Kate to victory in the opener to beat Ezmerellda by five lengths and give a very happy trainer Matt Sheppard his 15th winner of the campaign, which has equalled his best ever haul for a season.
Harry Cobden brought up his 130th winner of the season when helping the Syd Hosie trained Moytier get off the mark at the 13th attempt in the 2m 4f handicap chase.
Cobden, delivered the perfect ride on the seven-year-old despite carrying top weight. Putting in a faultless round of jumping, the gelding won comfortably by 11 lengths and made amends after the horse was going very well at the same course and distance last month before falling four from home.
Hosie’s other runner on the card Lieutenant Rocco was third in the closing hunter chase won by Espoir De Guye who got the better of the highly fancied Famous Clermont, a winner at last years Grand National Meeting, by one and three quarter lengths ridden by Natalie Parker to record his first victory since joining the yard of Sam Loxton.