'We always felt he would win' - nine-horse trainer celebrates biggest victory

Wednesday: Nottingham

An advertisement in the Racing Post changed Chris Kellett’s career six years ago and the private trainer to Andy Bell celebrated his biggest winner when Blistering Barney landed the Grassroots Series Stayers’ Final.

The six-year-old, jointly owned by Fergus Lyons, repelled the persistent challenge of Vaynor to prevail by a neck under Rob Hornby in the £30,000 handicap.

Kellett, who trains at Blythe Stables in Lathom, has been training for 20 years and had plenty of pre-race confidence in his now six-time winner.

“There were about ten or 12 horses in the race that could win it, but we always felt he would win. He had no luck at Pontefract last time and the ground made me really hopeful as he needs it quick," said Kellett.

“He’s really hard to train as he’s a windsucker and does it day and night. You have to stop him doing it otherwise he’ll go off his food but we’ve got on top of him now and there’s more to come.

“This day for small trainers like me is fantastic and it’s brilliant for us, we have nine horses in and it’s a big deal.”

Blistering Barney sealed a 376-1 double for Hornby, who won the opening 5f maiden on debutant Simple Man, described by trainer Henry Candy as “quite sharp and always shown plenty”.

Birthday bubbles

There was a more unique double in the concluding mile final when Intercessor made all for John Gallagher and PJ McDonald, with groom Jade Sleaford celebrating her 25th birthday and Patricia Ford, mother of owner Mark Ford, turning 81.

Gallagher said: “It’s a double whammy with the birthdays! Intercessor seems to be suited by a mile and he's very versatile considering his size as he is big. He likes it here and has done nothing but improve all year.”

David Egan continued his fine form with a 64-1 double on the Andrew Balding-trained Sisyphus Strength in the 1m½f fillies’ maiden and Pending Appeal for Charlie Hills in the 6f nursery.

Fantasy delivers

A five-month plan paid off for Darryll Holland as the Newmarket trainer enjoyed his biggest winner since starting out last year when Fantasy Master struck in the sprint final.

The Fantasy Fellowship-owned four-year-old finished third to subsequent Epsom Dash and Listed winner Tees Spirit in a qualifier at this track in May, with Holland subsequently targeting this event.

The 20-1 shot, who was a dual course winner as a juvenile, scored by a length and a half under Andrea Atzeni.

Holland said: “We gave him a racecourse gallop at Chelmsford to get him spot on for today and he’s sluiced up. He loves it here and it’s a big pot to win.”

Jockey changes

Cieren Fallon had to give up his four mounts on the seven-race card, including middle distance final winner Night Bear, after his two-day ban for improper conduct at Glorious Goodwood was immediately enforced by the BHA following the rider withdrawing his appeal on Tuesday. He will also miss the same number of rides at Lingfield on Friday.

Results, replays and analysis

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