'It's nice to have their dream back' - tears aplenty as Choose A Copper makes successful chasing debut

Choose A Copper: saw off Dare To Shout to make a successful chasing debutCredit: Andrew Parker

Lucinda Russell paid tribute to owners Thunder Holdings Ltd after Choose A Copper's successful chasing debut prompted emotional scenes in the winner's enclosure.

The group suffered the loss of their star horse when the Brown Advisory third Giovinco suffered a fatal fall at Aintree last season, a moment Russell said had taken time to overcome.

"It's a credit to them because they were so upset about Giovinco and it took them a long, long time to get over it," she said. "Today was very emotional; all four of us were in tears. It just means so much and the horses mean so much – their owners adore them – so it's nice to see them have their dream back again."

Connections of Choose A Copper celebrate victory in the Hexham winner's enclosureCredit: Andrew Parker

Russell also owns a share in Choose A Copper, who was returning to the track where he won his novice hurdle last season. This time he made a pleasing start to life over the bigger obstacles, jumping with relish and staying on dourly to see off Dare To Shout by a length and a quarter.

"We're absolutely delighted with him," the trainer added. "He had good form over hurdles but he's going to take it to another level over fences and it's just so exciting. We're sitting here watching Chepstow and thinking about who we're going to come up against for the rest of the season.

"It's great to start them off here at Hexham and he can step up next time. We might try and find a similar race and stick at this trip before going up in grade after that."

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