Trainer on the up completes double in Down

Ellmarie Holden made a fine start to her first season as a trainer last term and today began the new one in style, as she completed a double with her two runners at Down Royal today, taking the concluding Bet With The Tote Bumper with His Dream under whom jockey Ray Cody partnered his first winner.

Holden was registering her second career double, having trained 12 winners last season and three flat winners in 2016 and for His Dream’s jockey Ray Cody, the hard fought half length maiden success was more sweet as the winner carries the colours of Cody’s uncle Ray Cody and his wife Gillian.

Cody senior himself works as Holden’s assistant and following the race, Holden, whose Abolitionist filled third place in last month's Irish Grand National, said “he got his trip and got his ground and Ray knows him inside out. He's working with us now, he's riding him out every day and gave him an absolutely super ride.

"I knew he (His Dream) was after improving since his first run. He is thriving on his work at home and we'll keep him going for the summer but today was the plan.

"I've had an amazing year."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Michael Graham