A good example is the Paul Nicholls trained Italian Master, owned by John Hales, who faded into third in his debut chase at Worcester last week. The son of Milan cost £240,000 at the Cheltenham Brightwell sales in 2011 following his solo victory in an Irish point to point.
Now a 7 year old, the form to date includes second in a jumper's bumper at Wolverhampton in January and third and fourth over novice hurdles at Newbury and Cheltenham in March and April respectively. The total prize money return under rules races to date reads £3,282.
Contrast this with another 7 year old, trained locally at Claines by Richard Newland. Smalib Monterg was bought by Newland out of a Ludlow claiming race just over a year ago for 6,000 gns. Diminutive for a thoroughbred, last week he notched up another victory in a handicap hurdle at Newton Abbott under Sam Twiston-Davies, having finished second at Aintree just three days earlier. The prize money amassed to date by this horse is £40,142.
It just goes to show it's not how much you spend but how you spend it, and with racing, a little luck also goes a long way.
An in-form trainer with a winner at Worcester last week was former assistant to Nigel Twiston-Davies, Fergal O'Brien. Double Silver, who beat Italian Master in the beginner's chase, was bred at home by Mary Mayall, wife of the owner and gave O'Brien his 12th winner from 25 previous runners. This is an impressive strike rate of almost 50%.
Two Worcester winners from the 12th May meeting have come out and claimed victory again this week.
Richard Newland's Royale Knight enjoyed bottom weight in Kelso's feature chase over the weekend, recording an 11 length victory and earning connections a further £9,747.
My Lad Percy, trained by Rebecca Curtis won a handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter over a shorter than ideal trip of 2 miles 4 furlongs and will now be stepped up in distance.
Bank Holiday Monday saw the last of 5 Point to Points staged at Chaddesley Corbett this season. This is one of Britain's busiest point to point courses where annual meetings are staged for the Harkaway Club, the Albrighton, the Wheatland, the Worcestershire and the Albrighton Woodland hunts.
Preparations are well underway at Pitchcroft for the feature meeting of the season tomorrow. CrownGate Ladies Day, which is traditionally in aid of St Richard's Hospice, will feature two special memorial races on the card.
The Chemical Corporation 30th Anniversary Valerie Lewis Memorial Chase always provides us with the chance to welcome Best Mate's owner, Jim Lewis to the course.
The John Burke Memorial Novices Handicap chase is run to celebrate the life of the jockey who in 1976 became just the fifth in history to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same year, on Royal Frolic and Rag Trade respectively.
Gates open at 11.30am tomorrow, and the first race is due off at 1.55pm.
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(Italian Master, ridden by Daryl Jacob)
