By Gordon Brown
MIGHTY THUNDER romped away with the bet365 Edinburgh National to give jockey Blair Campbell his biggest win in the Musselburgh feature.
Trained by Lucinda Russell, the 14-1 outsider slammed Dino Boy by 20-lengths as only four of the eleven starters completed the longest race staged in Scotland all year.
After the 4m 1f stamina test, a relieved Campbell said: “It’s my first winner since November and it’s a pretty decent way to stop the losing streak. I’ve won seven races on him now so I’m very grateful for the support of his owners.
“He disappointed last time at Kelso in December but that’s the type of horse he is and he sometimes does that. We gave him a break and put the cheekpieces back on so he was a different horse today.
“We were always pretty prominent and took it up at the last on the far side. It was straightforward enough after that and i didn’t realise just how far clear we were in the end.”
The bet365 Scottish County Hurdle saw Angus Cheleda ride his first Musselburgh winner on Christopher Wood, trained by his seven-time champion trainer boss Paul Nicholls.
Nicholls’ assistant Harry Derham said: “He’s two from two here now as he won quite impressively over course and distance last season. I’d say maybe the plan would be to come back to Scotland early next month for the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso.
“I’m pleased for Angus as he came up on New Year’s Day for a couple of rides which didn’t run so well.”
Keith Dalgliesh was on the mark when Breguet Boy took the two-mile handicap hurdle in the hands of Craig Nichol, like Campbell, another jockey to emerge from Hawick.
The second day of Musselburgh Scottish Cheltenham Trials weekend on Sunday is subject to a 8am inspection due to the threat of snow and frost.
For more information contact Gordon Brown on 07850 258063 for Scottish Racing.