'Fresh' Blade still sharp as he reaches milestone at Southwell

It is a day for landmarks at Southwell on Thursday as Very First Blade will be ushered into the 100 Club when competing in the 5f handicap (3.25).

The eight-year-old is a course-and-distance winner and comes into the race in good heart having finished third at the track last time out.

"He's in good form and came out of his last run well," said trainer Michael Mullineaux. He's got a good draw on the stands' [stall eight] and hopefully he won't be too far away."

A reversal in form will be needed for Very First Blade to triumph, as he takes on Pearl Acclaim and Archie Stevens again, the pair having finished ahead of him last time out.

A sprint veteran, Very First Blade has seen it all before, and his partner for the afternoon, apprentice Phil Dennis, knows to leave him to get on with things in the race, having ridden him six times previously.

"He's still the old Blade and you leave him to do his own thing and he's alright," said Mullineaux. "If he's there at the end he'll do well."

Retirement is not on the horizon, with Mullineaux adding: "You keep him fresh and on top of the world and he's still bucking and kicking."

Southwell 3.25 card

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