Billy Loughnane continued his relentless march towards a second successive all-weather champion jockey title with a five-timer at Wolverhampton last Tuesday.
The 20-year-old, who edged out Hector Crouch in a thrilling battle last year, has all but sewn up this season’s title as he leads second-place Luke Morris by 32 winners.
In addition, Loughnane guided Brasil Power to victory at Wolverhampton’s fixture on Friday, with the seven-year-old notching his fourth success of the campaign in a 14-furlong handicap.
Trained by George Boughey, Brasil Power performed creditably at both AWC Trials Day meetings this term and is likely to head for the Marathon final on Good Friday, when he will race off a career-high mark of 96.
Loughnane said: “Brasil Power is one of my favourite horses in training – he is brilliant. He is a real piece of furniture in the yard and everyone loves him. It is good to see him get his head in front again.
“You could not find a better horse to ride than him. When you say ‘whoa’ he stops, and if you give him a squeeze, he takes off. He is push-button as well as being a bit of a cheat code when it comes to getting the money!”
The all-weather champion trainer title is likely to have a repeat victor as well, with reigning champion Tony Carroll eight clear of his closest pursuer James Owen with less than three weeks of the season remaining.
Elsewhere, Andrew Balding saddled a couple of notable winners, including promising three-year-old Ghost Mode in a six-furlong handicap at Southwell. Making his first appearance since October, the son of Ghaiyyath quickened away from several potential Finals Day contenders, earning a 10lb hike to 98.
Stable companion Respond appreciated the drop back to 10 furlongs at Chelmsford as he defeated Dark Moon Rising by three and a half lengths. The four-year-old, who over-raced when second on his comeback at Lingfield Park last month, has gone up 8lb to 96 and could take in the Roseberry Handicap at Kempton Park later this month.
Over in Ireland at Dundalk, Flanker Jet might be Finals Day bound after turning over Listed-winning stablemate Ipanema Queen in a six-furlong conditions race. A maiden winner at the track in February, Flanker Jet has a revised rating of 88 and could be a player in the 3YO final.
All-weather novices have produced a plethora of stars in recent years and Always Happy may end up in that bracket judged by her taking debut success over a mile at Southwell. Trained by Roger Varian for a Coolmore partnership, the daughter of Siyouni hails from the family of Galileo and Sea The Stars.
