'There's lots to look forward to' - Ian Hutchinson delighted with Dragon Bones

Ian and Kathryn Hutchinson's Battlefield Stud enjoyed a 40-1 surprise at the weekend when former graduate Dragon Bones won the Listed mares' novice hurdle at Doncaster on her first start over obstacles for trainer Ian Williams and owner Jack Turton.

Bred by All Things Rural, the six-year-old was also providing her in-form sire Passing Glance with another black-type success, following on from last month's Ascot Chase winner Dashel Drasher.

Dragon Bones was produced out of Kadalko mare Sainte Kadette, a winner of minor races in Ireland and France as well as a juvenile hurdle at Cheltenham, from the family of the classy Yala Enki.

On how the operation came to consign Dragon Bones at the Goffs UK January Sale in 2019, Ian Hutchinson explained: "Richard Ryan, who at that time was a DBS agent, rang me and asked if I would consign three or four for that sale, and Dragon Bones was one of them.

"They belonged to a chap called Nigel Ford, who traded under All Things Rural, and was an existing owner with Ian Williams.

"She was a very straightforward filly and at the time we were happy with what she made. We're delighted as consignors; these are the horses we're looking for, those that can go on and prove themselves on the racecourse. She's done that more than once so we're thrilled for the owner, trainer and breeder."

The Yorkshire-based stud may have more than one reason to celebrate during March, with a number of graduates entered for next week's Cheltenham Festival.

They include the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Pressure Sensitive, who sold for £26,000 to Stroud Coleman and O'Neill at the Goffs UK Spring Sale in 2019. He is unbeaten in two bumper starts this term.

Hutchinson said: "There's Pressure Sensitive, who has won two bumpers and has an entry for the Champion Bumper, he's one we previously sold at Doncaster, and Lieutenant Command, who's with Noel Meade and was sold to Gigginstown. There's lots to look forward to."

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