'It's been tough' - Ruth Jefferson seeking change in fortunes after big loss

Trainer Ruth Jefferson is looking to Cheltenham hope Sounds Russian to bring her out of a testing period after she suffered the blow of losing Grade 2 winner Clondaw Caitlin to a fatal injury at Haydock on Saturday.

Jefferson has already had to do without Waiting Patiently this season after the Grade 1 winner's switch to Christian Williams, and the death of Clondaw Caitlin is another setback for her Malton yard.

The Drew and Ailsa Russell-owned mare, who won the 2020 Premier Novices' Hurdle at Kelso, suffered a heavy fall at the ninth fence in the Altcar Novices' Chase won by Minella Drama.

Her loss has been felt by everyone at the yard and Jefferson, who took over at Newstead Cottage Stables after the death of her father Malcolm in 2018, is hoping Sounds Russian can fill the void.

"She was a Grade 2 winner and further down the line we thought she might make a nice broodmare, and it's a shame," said Jefferson.

"She was a nice hurdler. She picked up an injury last year and it took her a little while to get over it, and we thought we had her back.

"Losing a horse of that level leaves a hole. We're only a small yard and need these better types. It's a shame to lose any horse. With your better ones, you maybe just feel it a bit more because you don't know where your next good one is coming from."

Clondaw Caitlin: won the 2020 Premier Novices' Hurdle at KelsoCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Novice chaser Sounds Russian has won his last two starts in the manner of an exciting prospect and features among the entries for the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

"He was the first horse I bought after Dad died and he's taken time, but since going over fences he's looked a better type again," Jefferson said.

"He runs a week on Tuesday at Newcastle and it will be interesting to see how he gets on on his first go over three miles in a better race again.

"He's got an entry in the Brown Advisory and a lot will depend on how he goes at Newcastle. If he went and won again you couldn't say he wasn't good enough to go.

"Without meaning to sound stupid, he's a Sholokhov like Bob Olinger and Shishkin, and he does what they do. He looks a bit behind the bridle and beaten, then he gets into his stride and off he goes. At Kelso last time, he looked beat when he hit the second-last and then suddenly put 16 lengths back to the runner-up."

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Jefferson had a disappointing last season with just three winners, but she has already doubled that tally this term, with unbeaten juvenile Inca Prince also chipping in with two wins.

He is set to head to Musselburgh's festival trials meeting next month and Jefferson is hoping more promising young horses can help her bounce back.

"We normally operate at about a 20 per cent strike-rate, but we didn't have a great season last term and it's been tough," she said.

"About half of my 20 horses are unraced; they're a nice bunch but they're a young bunch. You've got to keep your head down and hope your luck changes and you pick back up."

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The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday