We backed Hes Our Lad 4 points win. The horse was lined up to win on his first time out and land another big gamble from the Anthony Honeyball yard. Hes Our Lad was backed heavily and went off 10/11 from odds against.

The race was going to plan with our selection travelling very well and soon going miles clear with Falcon Island. Hes Our Lad’s jumping was satisfactory but he did keep dragging his back legs through the majority of fences which caused a loss of momentum. He never looked like falling but was a little slow at times.

Three out the race looked as if it was won. Sam Thomas had not moved an inch whilst Falcon Island was just being niggled along. At two out we put in a slow jump and our back legs caught the fence, this allowed Falcon Island to get a few lengths on us. Sam got to work but Hes Our Lad did not really quicken and jumped the last length; staying there until the finish.

We’re disappointed both with the loss and with the jockey’s comments; the horse showed no battling qualities and would not put his head down and graft when required. Hes Our Lad did everything on the bridle and looked very impressive. It maybe that he is a bridle horse and does not find much.

The jockey also said the horse found that the fences were coming a bit too quickly and the horse could not use his full cruising speed between jumping. In future it will be suggested that the horse runs at a sharper track with greater distances between fences.

I would be prepared to give the horse one more chance on a sharper track. It was disappointing to be beaten as Anthony thought he was a good thing for this race. The information that we received was correct but the horse did not read the script. We will win plenty of money from this stable over the coming months; more will win than not.

Tomorrow is the start of the Cheltenham open meeting; three great days of racing awaits.