'It's a fantastic initiative' - Henry Daly pivots from nerves to jubilation after Roaring Home makes valuable winning return

Down in the dumps after her last run, apprehensive prior to her return to action, delighted after she had crossed the line; these are the emotions trainer Henry Daly has felt towards Roaring Home, who made a successful hurdling debut at Exeter on Thursday.

Daly’s nerves before Roaring Home’s appearance in the 2m½f mares' maiden hurdle was partly due to how he felt she was going into the race, but also down to his disbelief that she had been beaten at Southwell last time.

The disappointment of that day quickly melted away when it became apparent that the winner, Gale Mahler, was a winning machine who would win her next five starts, including a Listed contest at the Galway festival.

Nevertheless, once bitten is twice shy and Daly said: “I was a bit nervous that she was a bit short in terms of fitness because she finds everything so easy at home. But then I was also mortified when she was beaten at Southwell on her last start, so perhaps that goes to show you how much I really know! 

"I just couldn’t believe she got beaten that day, but it obviously wasn’t a bad race at all and I did hope she would be able to do what she did today.”

Alongside winning prize-money of just over £3,500, Roaring Home also picked up a £20,000 bonus under the Great British Bonus scheme (GBB), which was heralded by the trainer.

“It’s a very simple answer as to where her next race will be – wherever the next suitable GBB race is,” Daly said. “It’s a phenomenal programme if you get a horse like her and very valuable. It’s been a fantastic initiative for the game.”

Roaring Home was partnered by Harry Cobden, who told Racing TV the five-year-old “will win plenty of races” and that his knee was holding up well since he returned from injury with the assistance of regular icing.

Read these next:

'I think she's nice' - Colm Murphy mare on course for a crack at the race named after the best he has trained 

Marie's Rock just denied Listed success on the Flat as Entrancement produces career best under Oisin Murphy 

The Racing Post is now available to follow on WhatsApp channels! Follow Racing Post Insider on WhatsApp and you can now start receiving messages and alerts for the latest news, tips, insights, live reactions and much more. Click the group link and get Racing Post notifications straight to your phone via WhatsApp.