Senior Citizen

Senior Citizen ran a nice race to finish fourth in the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday. Settled nicely by Adrian Heskin just behind the front rank early on, he travelled and jumped well along the inside, and he moved nicely into the home straight just behind the leading pair Barton Knoll and The Big Bite. He came under pressure when they quickened on the run to the third last fence, but he stayed on well up the run-in to finish within three and a half lengths of the ultimate winner Umbrigado.

It was a good run by Senior Citizen on his first run since he finished seventh in the Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree in December. He was beaten by 28 lengths by Beau Bay that day, but he ran much better than that. He jumped the big fences well and he travelled well to the second last fence before he weakened on the run-in. The soft ground probably took its toll that day, because he does stay that two-mile-five-furlong trip. He appreciated the better ground on Saturday, and he could be a horse now for the Topham Chase, back over the Grand Sefton course and distance but probably on better ground.
Newbury, 6^th March 2021