'He should improve again when he steps up in distance' - Wiltshire Wonder responds gamely to land third victory

Archie Watson expects improvement from useful prospect Wiltshire Wonder, who battled admirably to a third victory in the 1m4f handicap.

The four-year-old recovered from a slow start to race prominently under Luke Morris and responded generously for pressure in the home straight to deny the 7-4 favourite Kitty Furnival by a length and a quarter.

The son of Wootton Bassett's last win came over the same course and distance, but Watson is mindful of his jumping success and plans to step him up in trip.

"Luke gave him a great ride and he showed a very good attitude in the straight," the trainer said. "I'm delighted for his owner, Jonny Allison, who is a big supporter of ours, and he is a nice horse who can hopefully continue to progress. He's a bumper winner over further and should improve again when he steps up in distance."

Just a six-time runner on the Flat, Wiltshire Wonder remains an unexposed type for all-weather staying races this winter and, after just three bumper starts, has untapped potential as a jumper as well. 

At 14-1, he was one of five double-figure winners on the card. In division one of the mile handicap Alyara won at 20-1, Captain Kinsella landed the 5f novice stakes at the same price, while 28-1 chance Busby upset 5-6 favourite Come On John in the 1m4f handicap and Nibiru landed the 2m½f handicap at 10-1.

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