Red Verdon
Red Verdon had been unlucky at Doncaster when just failing to win a ten furlong handicap two weeks ago. The son of Lemon Drop Kid had come out of that race well and we hoped that the step up to twelve furlongs around Chester would suit. Ryan Moore soon dropped him in one from the back of the seven runner field as his wide draw meant he would have had to use up too much energy early to secure a more prominent position. Soldier in Action was the well backed favourite and he soon had an uncontested lead from his draw in stall two. Franny Norton slowly wound up the pace and kicked for home two furlongs from home, soon securing a sizeable lead. Ryan Moore never panicked on our colt and he had steadily picked off rivals before chasing the leader and wearing him down to win by one a quarter lengths at the line.
It was an eye catching performance from Red Verdon given he struggled to handle the track at times and he showed real determination to catch the leader. Some of the horses in behind the front pair failed to show their true colours but that does not detract from his performance. He showed that the trip of twelve furlongs holds no fears for him and we shall wait and see what the handicapper does to him before mapping out future targets.
Congratulations to Red Verdon's owner Mr Arculli who has now had five La Grange trained winners in 2016. We hope that the good form of your horses continues and that we can send out many more winners for you during the season. Well done to everyone in the yard too, the hard work is being rewarded with good handicap winners at Epsom, Newmarket and now Chester. The weather is now warming up and hopefully the cold mornings are behind us and we can have a warm and productive summer.