Winner number 27

Willridge won on only his third attempt at Salisbury today in a 7 furlong 3yo maiden. The owners John and Diane Dewhurst, who bred him, were delighted to have a winner. Richard Kingscote gave Willridge a perfect front running ride and shortly before the line he was two or three lengths in front. The odds on favourite finished back in third. Willridge clearly relished the soft ground.

This was the yard's 27th winner of the year passing last year's total of 26 winners with over four months of the year to go.

It has been a really fantastic year so far and we have plenty to look forward to this coming weekend, next week at York and the following weekend at the Curragh and Deauville. MIchaela Sowerby rides Blakfrankisch in the Ladies Derby at Newbury on Saturday. The very impressive Marine Boy runs in the Gimcrack on Wednesday, a Group 2, Noverre To Go who looked a certain winner on his debut at Doncaster only to throw the race away because of greenness, is in a Group 3 on Tuesday and Max One Two Three, who has been off the course since her run in the 1000 Guineas, makes a welcome return in a Listed race on Friday. Classic Blade, who was being aimed at the Tattersalls Ireland Sales Race at the Curragh on Saturday 23 August, may go instead to the Prix Morny, a Group 1, at Deauville on Sunday 24 August.

This last week has been very pleasing. Gross Prophet a tough and genuine horse won on his 13th outing of the year. Before that Shadow Bay who had been bought out of Mick Channon's yard privately after being declared a non -runner in a claimer, won a nice handicap in style.