FIFTY-NINE racecourses grace the British scene, but few have been to all and even rarer is a man who has trained a winner at each and every one.
Patrick Haslam achieved that rare feat on Friday at Cheltenham, when King Revo won under champion Tony McCoy in the handicap hurdle.
Not content with one, Haslam sent out You're Special to land the conditional jockeys' handicap chase under Alan O'Keeffe on the same card, and followed up on Saturday when Barry Keniry won the opener, a juvenile novices' hurdle, on Yankeedoodledandy.
Europa (25-1) went for the bonusprint.com Gold Cup and was a creditable third under Jason Maguire to Monkerhostein and Thisthatandtother. Ferdy Murphy's charge would have been closer, too, but for a blunder after the last and then being hampered by the fall at the same fence of the Martin Pipe leader Our Vic.
Ballybough Rasher (Howard Johnson) went for the easier option of the Mears Group Chase the day before, but was out of contention when unseating Tony Dobbin.
Johnson's well regarded Inglis Drever found one too good in the Bula on Saturday, beaten by the Irish raider Back In Front, but backers of other northern horses each way were well rewarded. Noel Wilson's Latalomne (14-1) was a respectable second in the handicap chase earlier, always the bridesmaid horse at this track, while Ferdy Murphy's Joes Edge was second in the novice chase at 20-1.
Both Johnson and Murphy had to wait for success until Musselburgh on Sunday, when Graham and Andrea Wylie's winning colours were worn twice by Tony Dobbin on Beauchamp Gigi and Coat Of Honour. Murphy's win was with Family Venture.
Geoff Harker's former stable star Patriarch Express is now with West Yorkshire handler Sue Smith and has been winning well of late, but the Wensley trainer had some compensation when Cyborg De Sou won under Niall Hannity at Huntingdon last Thursday.
Trainer Peter Niven won about six as a jockey on the mare Mystic Memory about a decade ago and on Thursday sent out her daughter, Simply Mystic, to win at Huntingdon, a filly bred and owned by his mother. It was also a first win at the track as a trainer.
TOMORROW'S TIPS
At Haydock, the 12.35 looks a possible for Howard Johnson's Arcalis, Tony Dobbin booked. Brian Harding is chosen by Ferdy Murphy for the tough Granit D'Estruval in the 2.10.
Up at Newcastle, Keith Mercer and Murphy's Haut De Gamme (a shade disappointing last time) look set for a battle with The Nomad (Mick Easterby, Tom Greenall), in the 2.50. Mercer is an interesting booking for Sharon Watt's Now Then Sid in the 2.20 earlier and should go close.
THE WEEK'S WINNERS
Thursday last week. - Huntingdon: Cyborg De Sou (trained by G Harker, at Wensley; owned by J J Maguire), ridden by N Hannity; Simply Mystic (P Niven, Barton-le-Street; Hb (homebred by owner or connection), Mrs J A Niven), B Keniry.
Fri. - Cheltenham: King Revo (P Haslam, Middleham; D Renwick & Mrs C Barclay), T McCoy; You're Special (P Haslam; L Buckley), A O'Keeffe.
Doncaster: A Bit Of Fun (J Quinn, Settrington; The Fun Seekers), R Garritty.
Wolverhampton AW: Queen Of Night (D Chapman, Stillington; P Green), T Eaves (claiming 3lb allowance); Zhitomir (M Dods, Piercebridge; trainer), T Eaves.
Sat. - Cheltenham: Yankeedoodledandy (P Haslam; K Tyre & Mrs C Barclay), F Keniry.
Doncaster: Into The Shadows (K Reveley, Lingdale; Hb, R C Mayall), R McGrath.
Southwell AW: Diamond Shannon (D Carroll, Warthill; Diamond Racing Ltd), D Tudhope (5); Wahoo Sam (D Barron, Maunby; C A Wainwright), P Makin (5).
Sun. - Musselburgh: Celtic Legend (K Reveley; Jemm Partnership Ltd), Miss P Robson; Beauchamp Gigi (H Johnson, Crook; A & G Wylie), A Dobbin; Why The Big Paws (R Guest, Brancepeth; Blaydon Racers Partnership), L McGrath (3); Coat Of Honour (H Johnson; A & G Wylie), A Dobbin; Family Venture (F Murphy, West Witton; The Family Venture Partnership), B Harding; Blue Buster (M Easterby, Sheriff Hutton; J Connor), Mr T Greenall.
Southwell AW: Suffolk House (K Ryan, Hambleton; Hb, Mrs V C Sugden), N Callan; Pawan (A Stokell, Brompton-on-Swale; Ms C Stokell), A Stokell.
Mon. - Wolverhampton AW: Ashes (K Burke, Wensley; Bryce, Dower, Morgan), P Hanagan.
Tue. - Southwell AW: Tyrone Sam (K Ryan; B T McDonald), N Callan; Cloud Dancer (K Ryan; Mrs G O'Driscoll), N Callan.
Wolverhampton AW: Ryedane (T Easterby, Gt Habton; Ryedale Partners No 5), D Allan; Il Colosseo (L Stubbs, Malton; D Thurlby), P Hanagan.
Wed. - Bangor-on-Dee: Flight Command (P Beaumont, Brandsby; N W A Bannister), A Tinkler; Mac's Supreme (F Murphy; B McEntaggart), K Mercer (5).
Hexham: Bewleys Berry (H Johnson; A & G Wylie), P Robson (3); Isellido (R Guest; C J Cookson), H Oliver.
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