Striking Force makes it Four-in-a-Row He may have been a maiden after twenty five starts and be with trainer number three, but persistence has certainly handsomely paid off for the connections of Striking Force, who made it four wins on the bounce in the William Ewart Properties Ltd Rated Race at Down Royal. With the leading rider, Fran Berry (42nd of the campaign) on the six-year-old´s back, the pair squeezed through on the rail to lead under a furlong out, keeping on well to beat Invincible Joe by half a length. Sir Mark Prescott´s 6/4 favourite, Torch Of Freedom, could only manage third under Declan McDonogh. Striking Force was put in at 9/2 this morning and found 9/4 from 3/1 on track. The son of Danehill ran six times for his breeder, Moyglare Stud Farm, as a three-year-old, when under the guidance of Dermot Weld. He was sold at the Goffs Autumn Sales in 2005 for E7,000. David Broad then handled Striking Force, a son of the Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine, Trusted Partner. That mare has produced nine winners most notable of which are Dress To Thrill (also by Danehill) and 1999 Ladbroke Hurdle winner Archive Footage (by Sadler?s Wells). Vincent Ward started the gelding off over hurdles back in late December and January, having three respectable outings in maiden company. He was then unlucky more than once before beginning this winning streak on the level. Ward has also won with the ex-Moyglare/Weld End Of The Affair.
