Lucy leads way with winner on dad’s Tipsy Dara

Published on Friday 27 January 2012 00:49

THE star of Scotland’s first female professional jumps jockey Lucy Alexander continues to rise and she rode a winner for her father, Nick, on Tipsy Dara (16-1) in the Handicap Chase at Newcastle yesterday.

The 5lb conditional has been receiving rave reviews this season and it is easy to see why. Alexander sat quietly on the grey and, while it was hard work in the conditions, did not draw her whip until between the final two fences for a four-length win.

Lucinda Russell has a very nice prospect on her hands in the shape of Brindisi Breeze, who ran out a 13-length winner of the Blue Square Novices’ Hurdle.

A point-to-point winner, there were a few burnt fingers around when he was beaten in a bumper at Musselburgh but he won over two and three-quarter miles at Kelso last time out. Sent off at 100-30 under Campbell Gillies, he made every yard of the running and relished the step up to three miles.

“We were disappointed when he got beaten in a bumper but he’s more than making up for that now,” said Russell. “He’s more grown up. We’d said we’d win two small novice hurdles and then start dreaming. He won a point-to-point so he’s going to be a chaser. He’s been a different horse at home since his last win and I expected him to win today, although maybe not that easily.”

Russell and Gillies doubled up in the finale as Lucia Bay gained reward for a series of consistent efforts in the Gosforth Decorating & Building Services Mares’ Maiden Hurdle. Without coming off the bridle the 4-6 favourite won by five lengths.

Meanwhile, Tony McCoy had to settle for second place at Warwick as he returned to action after nearly a month on the sidelines.

The 16-time champion jockey had been sidelined since 30 December when he sustained broken ribs and a punctured lung in a fall at Taunton. After taking his time to return to the track, McCoy eased back into the fray aboard the Nicky Henderson-trained Key To The West in the Racing UK Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race.

McCoy was among a group of three that broke clear turning for home. Harry Skelton made a bold bid for home two furlongs out aboard Ballyalton and he ultimately ran out an impressive winner, but McCoy showed he was fit enough for the job as he kept pushing away on Key To The West to hold on for minor honours.

McCoy said: “I’d feel better if I’d had a winner. I’ve recovered pretty quickly from what happened and I wanted to be back for Cheltenham (at the weekend) and for riding a few horses over the next couple of weeks.

“I’ll be riding at Huntingdon tomorrow and I will try to build things back up from there.”

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