Charming Chepstow

Surrey Charm has battled injury and illness over the past 11 months so the owners have had to be very patient, but finally at Chepstow that patience was rewarded with not only a return to racing, but such a comprehensive performance that an improvement looks likely.

What stood out was how relaxed Charm was beforehand. She looked great, still one of the smaller horses but she has certainly grown and filled out, but, she really seemed to enjoy being at the racecourse, and that really is half the job done.

Other horses were playing up on the way to the post, not Charm, once Billy Loughnane (and what a great jockey he is going to be) was onboard, she hacked away lovely and entered the stalls without an issue. The race itself was planned by Hughie and executed perfectly by Billy. Give the other horses a lead, let them start racing too early, and knowing Charm will stay, see if she’s fit enough to overhaul some of them, which she did with style beating the odds on favourite Queensland Boy by an eased down 1.5 lengths, the pair well clear of the rest.

The ground was perfect, she wouldn’t want it any softer, the course although undulating suited her ‘nimble’ frame, and distance wise she will stay another 2 furlongs. She did run a bit green so will certainly improve for the run.

Surrey Charm came out of the race well so we will see what the handicapper says on Tuesday and make a plan for her to double up next time.

Congratulations to the connections who celebrated in style and closed the welcoming Chepstow O&T Bar !