Tag Archive for: My Silver Lining

My Silver Lining will seek Haydock gold this weekend

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Classic Chase winner My Silver Lining will head to Haydock on Saturday for the Virgin Bet Grand National Trial, rather than wait for next week’s Eider Chase at Newcastle which was her original target.

While the ground is heavy at both tracks, Lavelle sees little point in waiting a week with her mare, who she reports to be “absolutely flying” on the gallops.

Only out of the first two once in her last six races, the improving eight-year-old jumped with aplomb at Warwick and held off Galia Des Liteaux to win the £100,000 race and she is now chasing another major prize.

“She’s absolutely flying. Our original plan was to go to the Eider, so we discussed it today and it came down to the fact they are both going to be run on heavy ground – so do we want to run over three and a half this week or wait a week to run over four-and-a-quarter,” said Lavelle.

“We only made the entry for Haydock as a bit of a back-up originally, but we just can’t guarantee the ground will be any better next week and with an extra half a mile in that ground, it’s a lost to ask of the mare.

“I wouldn’t be worried about any track for her, but anywhere where jumping is at a premium suits her.”



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My Silver Lining clings on for brave Classic victory

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My Silver Lining hung on for victory in an exciting finish to the Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick.

The three-mile-five-furlong heat proved a thorough test of stamina on soft ground and it was Emma Lavelle’s charge who emerged the victor in the hands of James Best.

Percussion was the first to really set sail for home but the two mares, Galia Des Liteaux and My Silver Lining, had the race to themselves in the straight.

My Silver Lining (17-2) had a couple of lengths in hand jumping the penultimate fence and still held a distinct advantage at the last, but Galia Des Liteaux was cutting into her lead with every stride on the flat.

However, the winning post arrived in time for My Silver Lining, who prevailed by three-quarters of a length, with the pair 12 lengths clear of third-placed Guetapan Collonges.

Best hailed it as a career highlight as My Silver Lining is owned by his mother-in-law Celia Djivanovic.

He said: “Emma, Barry (Fenton, assistant trainer) and the team at home have got her spot on for today and particularly Phoebe who rides her every day – she loves the mare more than me I think – and I’m just thrilled for all connections.

“I hadn’t fully gone for her and gave her a flick turning in just to keep her up to her work. I knew I was in front a long way from home and they can prick their ears have a look around, but I knew she would dig deep for me. As long as we jumped the last full of running, I was confident it would take a good one to get by us.

“With the family connection I think it is the best day of my career. It means that much that the whole family are here, my wife and my two boys. My mother-in-law loves her racing and I’m just so pleased to win a nice one for her. This is a very big race in it’s own right and the family connection makes it so special.”

The winning trainer was not in attendance but her husband and assistant, former jockey Barry Fenton, was at Warwick to witness My Silver Lining’s victory.

My Silver Lining and connections after big-race success at Warwick
My Silver Lining and connections after big-race success at Warwick (PA)

He added: “It’s a great day for James and I’m delighted for him. He gave her a lovely ride and a great ride all the way. He got into a nice position and got a nice rhythm and even though he committed early enough, he knew he had enough to get home. It was a great ride.

“What My Silver Lining lacks for in maybe a bit of class, she makes up for in honesty and simplicity, she’s just a solid mare.

“A Midlands National could be a possibility. It wasn’t like today was any great plan, she just worked her way into her position today. You would have to be thinking something like that because I think that is what she is all about – long-distance staying races, lots of fences and preferably testing ground to take a bit of the speed out of it.

“She’s so straightforward for those National type races and she’s not a boat. I remember when Shotgun Paddy won this, it was essential he had to get out of the gate because he was a slow horse, but My Silver Lining just has a bit more.”

Galia Des Liteaux had won the Grade Two Hampton Novices’ Chase on this card 12 months ago, but was having to settle for the silver medal this time around.

Galia Des Liteaux was a brave second in the Classic Chase
Galia Des Liteaux was a brave second in the Classic Chase (Nigel French/PA)

However, connections had no excuses after her strong staying performance and hinted at a Grand National entry for the likeable eight-year-old, who was attempting to concede 20lb to the winner.

“I think you would have to enter in the Grand National and see,” said Tom Messenger, assistant to Dan Skelton who is currently away on holiday.

“Credit to the winner, we obviously gave her a lot of weight but it is good to see two brave mares at the end of a race like that.

“She was staying on well and Harry (Skelton) just said she was running a bit awkwardly round the bend, but once he straightened her up, she stayed on again.

“I think if we keep her in these staying races, she has a good attitude and jumps well.”



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