What's The Storey, Bumper Glory?

5.10 Sedgefield - Kirkella Standard Open NH Flat Race (2m 1f)

On a day which fails to inspire, I've decided to take something of a chance on finding a winner from what would seem an unlikely source. Brian Storey has had a varied career as jockey, starter and now trainer, with the undoubted highlight of his riding days being the success of Sparky Gayle in the Cathcart Chase at the 1997 Cheltenham Festival.

He's not made much of an impact since taking out a licence to train a decade ago, with just a 3% strike rate all told, but there is one area in which he's had a degree of joy in recent seasons, and that's with bumper debutants, with both Cole Harden and Hannahs' Princess landing gambles at the first time of asking. It's interesting that both of those have subsequently joined Warren Greatrex, and the latter was the subject of a significant jockey booking, with Noel Fehily taking the ride. It's therefore interesting that Storey should seek the services of Aidan Coleman for newcomer Court Rise today. The son of Court Cave doesn't stand out on paper, but his sire has a decent record in similar events, and pedigree is not the be-all and end-all with bumpers.

I'd prefer to see some market support before parting with serious cash on this venture, but there are reasons to believe that the trainer's poor overall record will see this gelding significantly underbet in the early market, so he's worth a speculative half point at the early odds, with a top-up advised should he garner support at the track.

Recommended:

5.10 Sedg - 0.5pts win Court Rise @ 12/1 (general)