Greatrex family all smiles as Yankee Dude overcomes greenness to score for father-and-son team

Warren Greatrex has made a promising start to his new Flat endeavour and Yankee Dude could be his best find yet after a convincing success in the 7f novice.

The juvenile showed he still had more improvement to come by racing wide around the turn under the trainer's son Ed, who soon straightened him up to mow down the 8-11 favourite Marchogion.

It was a seventh victory on the level for the Lambourn trainer who, with the backing of landlords Jim and Claire Bryce, has launched a more meaningful attempt to train more winners on the Flat this summer.

"Yankee Dude has a very nice pedigree and we've always liked him," Greatrex said. "He ran very well first time in a very good race at Yarmouth, and he'd stepped forward quite a bit. All of mine, I've made sure they'd improve quite a lot for their first runs. 

"He's still quite raw and green but Ed was very taken with him and they were pretty sure the second was a black-type horse, so he looks nice. I'll get him back and take a view as to whether we look to something similar with a penalty or to put him for something better."

Ed Greatrex went on to record a double aboard the Mark Loughnane-trained Lunarscape in the mile handicap, which was decided by just a nose, with his father revealing the jockey's relief.

He added: "He's been knocking on the door and he's been a bit frustrated, so that's good!" 

Read these next:

Give a little love for Bay City Roller – the Guineas possible the trainer told his owner he had to buy 

'He puts a smile on our faces' - Al Qareem makes it back-to-back Stand Cup successes for Nick Bradley team 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.