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Penny starting to drop as Robert Walpole rewards patience with first win at five

Roger Varian after the Musidora StakesYork 15.5.19 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Roger Varian: confident Robert Walpole can improve with experienceCredit: Edward Whitaker

Thursday: Southwell

The patience of Roger Varian and owners the Gredley family was rewarded when Robert Walpole got off the mark at the fifth attempt.

The five-year-old registered his first win under Callum Shepherd on his second start for the Newmarket handler in the mile handicap.

Varian said: "We’re delighted that he's won, it’s his first win at the age of five and the owners have been very patient. I'm delighted for Bill and Tim Gredley that he's won and hopefully he can keep improving.

"He's a horse that will stay further, but he's an immature horse and he needs to learn to race, so hopefully he will get more professional with the more races he has. Once the penny drops he’ll be a horse that can run over the middle distances."

On his own form, Varian, who achieved 10th winner of the year, said: "The horses we have been running should be running well at this time of year. It’s not the most competitive time of the year and the horses we have planned to run over the winter are racing for a reason.

"The main events are around the corner as we’re a few weeks away from Doncaster and we have a few horses ready for the start of the turf."

Quick double

Andrew Balding teamed up with David Probert for a quickfire double to continue his fine start to the year.

Nasim came from the rear to win the mile handicap, before Swilcan Bridge scored in the mile maiden stakes for the Park House handler.


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Lambourn correspondent

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