Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
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By Jack Haynes
Tuesday: Southwell
Some horses test their trainers more than others, but Guard Duty has been worth the wait for Emma Lavelle and looks a name to look out for after his debut win.
The imposing five-year-old has a big frame to fill out but clearly has plenty of talent and has been paired with a two-and-a-quarter length success by Jack Wildman, who rides him every day at home.
Wildman described Guard Duty as “a bit of a boy” and Lavelle praised the rider’s work to curb the bumper winner’s enthusiasm at home.
Lavelle said: “He’s an athlete and a nice horse, but he was a bit too excited at home and had a lot of nasty issues and growing pains.
“Jack rides him every day – he’s a punch and tests all the limits – so it was great to be able to pair him today and be rewarded for all the hard work he’s put in.
“He’s a work in progress but he’s a decent horse in the making and has a lot of untapped potential.”
Guard Duty was the second winner on the Owners Group card, whose Ile De Jersey struck in the 2m4½f mares novice handicap chase for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville.
Dirt provides
Guard Duty was not the only five-year-old to make a successful rules debut, with Irish point-to-point winner Red Dirt Road impressing when landing the 2m hurdle for Jonjo O’Neill.
Red Dirt Road, owned by Danny Walker and family, proved a willing partner for Jonjo O’Neill Jr, repelling the threatening challenge of Mrs Grimley to score by a length and a half.
Getty Images
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O’Neill, who is celebrating his 100th winner at Southwell, said: “He’s a nice horse. It took him a while to settle when he came from Ireland and he has a very patient owner which has made him the proud horse he is today.
“I liked his attitude – he kept galloping and put his head down. The first two pulled away nicely from the others. It remains to be seen how strong the race was behind them, but I couldn’t be happier with him.”
Fine shape
Venetia Williams enjoyed a seventh winner from the last 16 runners when the Bellamy Partnership-owned Gemirande claimed her first UK win over fences under Charlie Deutsch in the 2m4½f handicap chase.
Getty Images
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Deutsch said: “The Venice horses are running very well and are definitely on the rise. This race was a good place for Venetia because it was right for the track and finished well.”
Harry Whittington provided a winner with his first runner back from a three-week break courtesy of Docpickedme, ridden by Gavin Sheehan, in the 3m½f handicap hurdle.
Whittington has not saddled a runner since November 8 following an outbreak of strangulation in his pre-training yard and has temporarily moved his jumpers to Frenchmans Lodge in Lambourn, where Harry Dunlop trained until he recently retired license.
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