'I'm sure 2023 will be better' - Osborne's fortunes on rise with another winner

Sunday: Southwell

Jamie Osborne believes his 2023 campaign will be "significantly better" after putting a disappointing year behind him with a fifth winner of the week.

The Lambourn trainer recorded 16 victories in 2022, but he is already almost halfway to surpassing that after Milltown Star's 16-1 success in the mile handicap under the trainer's daughter Saffie.

Osborne said: "Last year was probably the worst we've ever had in all my years as a trainer. It was like trying to turn around an oil tanker – it doesn't happen immediately, you have to take your time and do it properly.

"I'm pretty sure 2023 will be significantly better. We've had a good first week with five winners and it's the start we wanted."

After three winners in September, Osborne only added two more to his tally before the end of the year, and admitted something needed to happen.

He said: "Like a lot of them last autumn, they weren't top-notch for whatever reason and we've given plenty of horses a break.

"We gave those we had belief in a bit of time off so we could make up for lost time and get them going during the early part of the year, and thankfully it looks like it's paying off."

Berkshire double

Andrew Balding continued his strong start to the year with a double on the card, headlined by Berkshire Rocco landing the feature 2m½f conditions stakes.

The six-year-old, who finished second in the 2020 St Leger, pulled a length and a quarter clear of Rainbow Dreamer under Jason Watson.

Balding's double was completed 30 minutes later when David Probert steered Berkshire Phantom to victory in the 7f maiden.

Results, replays and analysis

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