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'We'll definitely be out tonight' - Harriet Dickin celebrates first winner

Harriet Dickin with her first winner Ballinslea Bridge and father Robin
Harriet Dickin with her first winner Ballinslea Bridge and father RobinCredit: Steve Davies

Thursday: Market Rasen

Harriet Dickin, daughter of multiple Grade 2-winning trainer Robin, enjoyed her first winner when Ballinslea Bridge took the 3m handicap chase under Ellis Collier.

Dickin took over the licence from her father in May after his 36-year training career came to an end and Ballinslea Bridge was the 28th runner to be sent out from the fledgling trainer's Bourton Hill Farm base in Gloucestershire previously occupied by Ben Pauling.

Ballinslea Bridge was second to Pauling's former Cheltenham Festival winner Le Breuil at Huntingdon last month, having forfeited his chance when sprawling on landing at the fourth-last fence, but was not to be denied this time around and secured a breakthrough success for his trainer.

"Le Breuil is a very good horse and I think had Ballinslea Bridge not slipped, there would have been a race on," said Dickin. "We were a bit nervous coming into today because he's never really backed up a good run for us.

"My partner Dom rides him every day, he actually owns him and leases him to the club and he was pretty confident he was in the same place as he was the last day."

Dickin, who was involved in the success of her father's Restless Harry and Thomas Crapper, added of the ten-year-old 12-1 winner: "The horse has got a special place for all of us. It's Dad's racing club, Dom owns him, I train him and Mum keeps the ship going when we're all out at the races so it was a really nice group success and great to get off the mark.

"It took us four hours to get here, so hopefully we don't get stuck in traffic on the way home but we'll definitely be heading out tonight that's for sure. Olly Murphy came up to me and put his arm around me and said, 'This will only ever happen once, enjoy it'."

As well as being on hand to offer his congratulations, Murphy also combined with Sean Bowen to take the bumper with newcomer Resplendent Grey.

Results, replays and analysis


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Published on 1 December 2022inReports

Last updated 19:14, 1 December 2022

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