Delight for McGoldrick syndicate as Romeo Brown shines during Go North series

Saturday: Kelso

On a day when some past northern stars were honoured as part of the Racing Post Go North Weekend, Romeo Brown evoked memories of Cheltenham Festival winner Mister McGoldrick with victory in the 2m5f handicap hurdle series final.

Trained, like 2008 Racing Post Plate winner Mister McGoldrick, by Sue Smith, Romeo Brown was always prominent under Thomas Willmott and charged home for Richard Longley's McGoldrick Racing syndicate.

The winning silks appear identical to Mister McGoldrick's but with one slight change, as Longley explained: "These colours are black and McGoldrick's were dark blue but people can't tell the difference, which suits me. I owned Mister McGoldrick and after his Cheltenham success, I started up syndicates as McGoldrick Racing and we've had ten to 12 horses over the years."

The race was one of nine Go North series finals over the three-day meeting and Longley was thrilled to win the £30,000 prize.

"The series is a brilliant innovation, not just for owners but trainers as well, and it's great to see so many northern horses winning over the first two days," he said.

Smith gained a double on the card when Joke Dancer ran out a cosy winner of the 2m1f handicap chase.

Valuable double

Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson gatecrashed proceedings to bolster his trainers' title prospects with a valuable double courtesy of Theatre Glory and Bold Reaction.

Theatre Glory was mobbed by members of the 14-strong Canter Banter Racing syndicate after winning the £50,000 mares' novice handicap hurdle under Nathan Brennan, whose 7lb claim eased the burden of top weight.

"It was never going to be easy for her carrying that weight, but on that good ground we've probably got away with it," Brennan said. "She's done it really well and is going to be exciting for the syndicate, which is run by members of the team at Seven Barrows."

Henderson, who trailed title-leader Paul Nicholls by around £170,000 at the start of racing, struck with his other runner when Bold Reaction won the bumper final worth £30,000.

A sole ride of the day for James Bowen, who was in action at Musselburgh on Friday, the 11-10 favourite won comfortably by three and a half lengths.

"You don't win many bumpers that are worth £30,000 and that will probably be him for the season," said the winning rider. "He'll be a nice horse over a fence in time."

Return to form

Potterman, who was awarded last season's bet365 Gold Cup in the stewards' room, bounced back to form in the 3m2f handicap chase following some tame recent efforts.

The Alan King-trained nine-year-old, owned by James and Jean Potter, finished second in the Badger Beer in November, but had been pulled up on his other three starts this season.

Racing for the first time since wind surgery, Potterman overhauled long-time leader Empire Steel on the run-in under Tom Cannon.

"He'd had a wind op and he really enjoyed the better ground and smaller field," said the jockey. "He seemed to like it round here and it was a good performance. I'm not sure he'll be on a good mark for the Whitbread [bet365 Gold Cup] now, but he'll probably go there anyway."

Results, replays and analysis

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