Column hoodoo smashed as Aventinus does us proud at Chelmsford

A fortnight ago the form figures for the horses in which I have an interest read 4432604026040 since Covert Love won the Prix de l'Opera on October 4 last year. But now the latest number in that sequence is 1. For clarity, and emphasis, and because I like the sound of it, that's ONE. Yes, and please don't spill your Sunday morning coffee in surprise, but in an otherwise frustrating season of injury and underachievement, one of my horses has actually finished first!

Under a brilliant tactical ride from Jim Crowley that looks better every time I watch it, two-year-old colt Aventinus won a 7f maiden at Chelmsford City for the Seventh Lap Racing syndicate. It feels good to be able to write that - I was beginning to think that talking up our chances in a fortnightly diary was bringing bad luck. Trailing in his wake were two colts owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah, two owned by members of the Dubai royal family and five other beasts - all put in their place by Aventinus who actually made it look quite easy despite going off third in the betting at 4-1. In part due to the benefit of his four race experience, our boy was by a long way the superior thoroughbred in the field.

I now feel a little guilty complaining about my long Sunday morning drive to Chelmsford from Liverpool, where I was staying on Saturday evening, disappointed as the colt was entered at Chester before a change in the going forced a rethink. But Covert Love won her maiden at Chelmsford and, as it's now the only track where I've had more than one winner, it should really be my firm favourite.