Birketts 'absolutely loving it' as double makes it ten winners in first year as joint-licence holders

Julia and Shelley Birkett continued their dream start as joint-licence holders with a 49-1 double to take their tally for the year to ten.

The mother and daughter training partnership struck with the Ashley Lewis-ridden 4-1 shot Heer's Sadie in the opening 7f apprentice handicap, before 9-1 chance Rusheen Boy romped home by five and a half lengths in the 6f handicap under Sean Kirrane.

"We're absolutely delighted with how it's going," said Shelley Birkett. "We only have 20 horses in, so to have ten winners before mid-June is very good. It's a big help having mum there, we can take the stress off each other and share out the responsibilities. I'm absolutely loving it.

"Rusheen Boy has never shown that much on grass, so I wasn’t expecting him to win like that. Last time was too firm, but this was just right. Those two have both been sleepers – they’ve fallen down the handicap and were bound to pop up eventually."

Heer's Sadie was red-hot Lewis’s first ride for the Birketts. The claimer is operating at a 36 per cent strike-rate (4-11) in the last fortnight, and it was also his first time riding at the Norfolk track.

Birkett added: "He rode exactly to orders and gave her a lovely, smooth ride. He looked really good for a 7lb claimer, so I’m sure he’s got a big future ahead of him."

Chief in charge

July Cup entry Almeraq, who ran out an impressive winner over course and distance in October, was sent off 4-9 for the 6f novice, but was comprehensively beaten by the John and Thady Gosden-trained Spy Chief.

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