Betting markets are fickle things. Six runners in a Class 5 bumper with 2 runs under rules between the entire field is a difficult market to form an opinion on no doubt, not forgetting that only 2 places were being paid. Even considering all that, prices of 100/1 in the paper beforehand take a bit of explaining Storm Arcadio's Racing Club owners new to racing. If there's one thing this yard loves though, it's being an underdog.
For a first run under rules, our 4yo son of Arcadio would have learnt lots from his run at Market Rasen 3 weeks earlier. He turned up at Fontwell fit, was more settled in the parade ring and we hoped he would come on plenty, the extra furlong and uphill finish should have suited.
"held up in last pair, outpaced over 2f out, rallied over 1f out, went 2nd last stride, no impression on winner"
Ridden patiently by jockey Fergus Gregory, Storm Arcadio travelled well throughout behind the market principles, turning for home he didn't quicken quite as fast as the eventual winner but stayed on resolutely to nab second from the 4/5 favourite, putting in the best work of all runners in the last furlong.
Onlookers would have seen he took some pulling up after the line, the further he goes the better we think he'll be. Fergus reported that he was still green enough so more racecourse experience will only see him in a better light still.
All credit to Fontwell for putting on a nice experience for the owners in attendance, big open spaces and we didn't have to shout too loud to talk to jockeys and trainers. Fingers crossed we see people back racing soon enough.
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