Drop to 3lb no problem for McEntee as apprentice bags a double
Wednesday: Wolverhampton
Apprentice jockey Grace McEntee took the drop in her claim to 3lb in her stride after she and owners Power Geneva Ltd enjoyed a double on the card with two well-supported winners, headlined by Almufeed's easy success in the opening 1m1½f handicap.
McEntee, whose claim dropped from 5lb on January 3, got the ball rolling for the new year when the Sean Curran-trained Almufeed made all to score by three and three-quarter lengths having been gambled into 5-2 joint-favouritism from as big as 11-1 in places in the morning.
They then teamed up with the John Butler-trained 100-30 shot Martineo, who belied his 13-run losing streak and sent his backers happy with a half-length win in division two of the 6f handicap, having been a general 15-2 chance when the market opened.
Speaking after Martineo's success, McEntee told Sky Sports Racing: "The hardest part is going down to 3lb – it's where you find out if you can keep going or get stuck. It's nice to get the two winners in the bag after coming down to it.
"I can't really thank the owners or everyone enough for supporting me. I'm really pleased for the owners after today."
Shock alert
Red Alert left punters stunned after he reeled in favourite Blazing Hot and Deevious Beau to complete a 40-1 shock in division one of the 6f handicap under Andrew Mullen.
Welcome winner
Hayley Turner rode her first winner since returning from injury aboard Race Card in the 1m4f handicap – the horse who caused her spell on the sidelines when she broke her thumb in November.
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Published on 5 January 2022inReports
Last updated 18:44, 5 January 2022
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