Cliff Underwood has owned racehorses for over a third of a century, but he had never enjoyed a winner. Until now. The long wait came to an end at Market Rasen Racecourse when the 5-1 chance The Blue Bomber led to an explosion of joy from his very patient owner after the 188Bet-sponored handicap hurdle.
Although he had seen his colours triumph in point-to-point races, this was the first time that Cliff Underwood had witnessed a victory on a racecourse.
Monday’s meeting was also a memorable one for jockey Bridget Andrews who has been having a tremendous time in March, including a first success at the Cheltenham Festival. Her two winners came courtesy of even-money favourite Or De Vassy in the opening novices’ hurdle and another market leader, the 6-4 shot Must Havea Flutter, in a handicap chase – both races sponsored by 188Bet. The duo also represented another two victories for trainer Dan Skelton.
The other winners on the day were the Sam Twiston-Davies-ridden Norse Light at 7-1, the Nicky Richards-trained On A Promise at 9-2, Bocasien Desbois also at 9-2, while the concluding bumper went the way of trainer Harry Fry’s 5-6 odds-on favourite Definitelyanoscar.