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Bardd's Chelmsford win completes full house for the Club

15 December 2017

The Club had their first ever winner at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Thursday, meaning we have now had a winner at each of mainland Britain's racecourse. Bardd was bought as a yearling and was kept as a store horse, with the intention of making up into a top National Hunt horse. Despite winning a bumper, Bardd became disappointing over hurdles and has been a beaten favourite several times for top trainer, Nicky Henderson.

The Master of Seven Barrows was determined to find the key to this son of Dylan Thomas, who is yet to finish out the first four in all ten starts in bumpers, over hurdles and on the level. Nicky found the ideal race for Bardd on Thursday night, as the highest-rated horse was yet to win in 18 attempts and stretched that tally one further at Chelmsford. Bardd teamed up with all-weather king, Luke Morris, who has been so successful in Club colours above Marsha in the past few years.

Bardd looks as though he has a future on the Flat and should be assessed by the handicapper next Tuesday, and Nicky will then decide where his future lies. Bardd has been a beaten favourite a remarkable seven times in his career, but the chances are he simply didn't stay the distance over hurdles. He travelled well throughout the race at Chelmsford, and looks as though he could drop back to a mile and a half in future.

Bardd is yet another history-maker for the Club, who have enjoyed a wonderful year, with a Group 1 win and a European Sales record being set by Marsha, as well as Elgin's Listed and Grade 3 Greatworld Hurdle wins. The previously unconquered venue of Chelmsford was the missing cog in the wheel for Elite Racing Club nationwide, since it was reopened a couple of years ago. It was great to see Luke back in our white and black colours once again and we hope this win will be the first of many for Bardd on the Flat.