RACING: Whittington relieved as Fourovakind scores (From Oxford Mail)

RACING: Whittington relieved as Fourovakind scores

10:00am Wednesday 13th February 2013 in Sport By Russell Smith, Sports reporter specialising in horse racing. Call me on 01865 425453

Rookie trainer Harry Whittington was relieved after Fourovakind came up trumps at Uttoxeter to give him his first winner since taking out a full licence.

The eight-year-old, from Whittington’s Sparsholt stables, near Wantage, was sent off the evens favourite for a maiden hurdle over an extended two and a half miles on Saturday.

And he justified the market confidence by staying on strongly for James Banks to collar Awbeg Massini in the last 75 yards for a two-lengths success.

“I was delighted to get off the mark,” said Whttington. “It is a big relief to get the first winner on the board.”

Whittington, 32, who had previously run a satellite yard for Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson, had enjoyed success under National Hunt Rules with Mount Benger in a hunters’ chase at Huntingdon in 2011.

But this was his first triumph since obtaining his full licence last September, with his seventh runner.

He reported the victory was even sweeter as his grandmother, Sheila Nash, had given the dam, Four M’s, to Mat Hazell, who lives at Grove, enabling him to breed Fourovakind.

“It is just special for me,” added Whittington. “You couldn’t write it really.”

Hazell’s connection is added to with his father, Graham, his mother-in-law, Carol Bosley, and friend Andrew Sawyer forming the partnership, which owns the gelding.

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