All About The Girls

Cheltenham sales’ graduates have made a superb start to the new National Hunt season and in the last week in particular it has been the girls who have been flying the flag on the track.

Verdana Blue maintained her unbeaten start to the season and marked herself down a live Champion Hurde contender when quickening clear in fine style after the last to take the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton for trainer Nicky Henderson and owners Crimbourne Stud.

The daughter of Getaway travelled with notable ease throughout in the hands of Jerry McGrath before being produced to take up the running at the last and quicken clear in fine style.

She was offered at the 2016 November Sale by Edmund Kent’s Ballyhampshire Stud after winning her bumper at Killarney in July and purchased by Highflyer Bloodstock for £65,000.

Lust For Glory another daughter of Getaway created a big impression when seeing off Posh Trish (already successful herself this season) and leading home a 1-2 for Cheltenham graduates in the Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury on Thursday. She was offered by Denis Murphy’s Ballyboy Stables at last year’s November Sale and purchased by Highflyer Bloodstock for owners Grech and Parkin.

On Friday Printing Dollars another ex Ballyhampshire Stud inmate ran out the winner of bumper at Warwick for Warren Greatrex and the Waley-Cohen family.

Dinos Benefit another Mare sold at last year’s November Sale brought up a double on the day when coming home in front in the Beginners’ Chase at Fontwell for Colin Tizzard.

Paul Nicholls has his string in fine fettle and on Saturday at Wincanton If You Say Run bolted up in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle forming part of a remarkable five-timer for the Ditcheat team. The daughter of Mahler won her Maiden point-to-point in fine style for Ashleigh Murphy’s Redbridge Stables before being purchased by Tom Malone on behalf of Highclere for £80,000.

Don’t miss this week’s sale at Cheltenham on Friday after racing to find another future star. View Catalogue Here