Lanigan off to a flying start

Lanigan off to a flying start thanks to brave Ben

ONE RUNNER, one winner: that’s the thrilling training record of David Lanigan after Ben Chorley struck in a mile handicap at Pontefract yesterday.

The four-year-old grey gave Lanigan the perfect start to life as a trainer as he galloped on relentlessly to get the job done in style.

San Antonio set a scorching pace upfront but jockey Ted Durcan sensibly refused to chase it, settling Ben Chorley in mid division.

As they swung the top bend into the straight, Durcan edged his mount closer and closer before going on at the head of affairs just inside the closing two furlongs.

The easy underfoot conditions began to take their toll in the closing strides but gelding Ben Chorley stayed on best of all in the colours of Diamond Racing.

A 7/1 chance, he eventually won by four lengths to ensure his own triumphant story as this was his first outing in almost a year.

Lanigan said: “Of course it is great to get off the mark with my first runner - I couldn’t have dreamt of a better start.

“I’m very grateful to Diamond Racing for sending me a horse to help get my career going. We have a predominantly two-year-old team, many of whom will be better at three. So, it is a great help to have a horse such as Ben Chorley who I’ve been able to get on with.

“He has had little niggles in the past and the most important thing was to get him back from the race in one piece. But he had been working nicely so we were hopeful that he’d run well.

“We’d only got as far as Plan A which was the Pontefract race so we will see how he comes out of this and also look at how the handicapper assesses his win.

“But I think he will stay a little further, judged on his latest run, and I am absolutely delighted with him. Ted gave him a good, solid ride.”