Strong Irish Raid at Sedgefield Gordon Elliott, who got off to a good start with his first horse for Gigginstown House Stud, Tharawaat, now sends out another runner for the powerful Co. Westmeath-based owner when Spearman goes into battle in the LWC Drinks Novices' Hurdle at Sedgefield today. This French-bred son of Take Risks will be partnered in this two and a half miler by Jason Maguire and the grey will be equipped with a tongue-tie. The five-year-old has been absent for 339 days, since winning his point-to-point at Lisronagh, Co. Tipperary. He was then under the care of Pat Doyle. That day, on ground riding on the firm side of good, Doyle took both divisions of the four-year-old maiden with Kevin Power sporting the Gigginstown House Stud silks on both Warhead and Spearman (3/1 into 5/2 favourite). Doyle stated after the six length win that his charge had been purchased at Doncaster (in 2007 for 100,000 guineas), that he was a really smart horse and that chasing would be his game - something to look forward to. That weekend in early May of 2008, was particularly productive for the Gigginstown/Doyle combination, who also landed the youngster's maiden at Farnanes the following day with the Derek O'Connor-ridden Instinctive. Warhead and Instinctive have seen been placed on the racecourse proper. Elliott also has a runner in the following Happy Birthday Ron Crake Novices' Chase when Maguire will again be in the plate on Ingratitude. This fellow was bought in January for 35,000 at Doncaster out of Nicky Henderson's yard. He described him in a stable tour as a horse with a lot of talent but things have to drop right for him and good ground is a must. Irish racegoers saw Ingratitude in action - second to Phantom Lad at the Punchestown Festival in 2007. Posh Bird, who runs in the colours of her breeder, David Bamber and James Lambe's Lugato (Denis O'Regan) join Spearman as Irish raiders in the 2.20. The mare, Posh Bird, gets a healthy weight concession and the very capable Andrew Thornton further lightens her burden by another 7Ibs but the Ian Ferguson-trained daughter of Winged Love has shown her best form with plenty of ease in the ground. Lugato's stable companion, Catherines Verse is the other Irish-trained runner at the meeting, Denis O'Regan also due to do the steering on this Old Vic mare in the selling hurdle at 3.20. (EM)
