Trainer hopeful of another winner a week after fairytale 100-1 first strike

Training your first winner is exciting enough, but imagine the feeling if that success is achieved with a runner defying odds of 100-1.

That was the case for Cheltenham-based trainer James Grassick, who is hoping to return to the winner's enclosure once again with Valentine Mist at Bath on Wednesday.

"It was a fantastic day," said the trainer, who had his first runner in 2015. "We have got limited resources so it makes things much more difficult – I got that horse for free. She is well-bred but she was in a terrible state and had all sort of problems.

"Even when she raced she was green and inexperienced so I have had to be patient with her. We were thrilled to bits, we have had to keep the faith and trust in what we know and understand. It was a great ride from Sophie Ralston too, we made up a plan and everything seemed to slot into place. Suddenly it all seems easy!"

Grassick has two chances for a second win on Wednesday as he also sends Lady Natasha to Bath, who is a forecast 50-1 shot for the 1m5f handicap.

He added: "I think Valentine [Mist] has a fantastic chance if she runs to the same level. She seems very well and things seem similar in terms of preparation.

"I think we got our tactics wrong with [Lady] Natasha last time so hopefully we can be close enough to the pace for when she makes her move. We will see, let's hope she can be lucky too."

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