Saturday’s Grand National will mark another first for Beau Morgan and his beloved Twig. The duo have made the cut for the world’s greatest steeplechase and embark on their first spin over the those infamous birch fences. A race where legends are made and names are etched into history. Just how did these two wind up here?
 
Every horse in the National will have their story. Twig and Beau are no different. Bred by Laurie Strangman and his wife Alicia, Twig’s first couple of starts under rules were lacklustre to say the least! As a young horse Twig was particularly susceptible to bugs and being a weak, backward type the Strangman’s made the decision to move him on. At the time Luca Morgan was our Conditional Jockey and looking for a horse to get his younger brother Beau started on. The Strangman’s kindly agreed that the Morgan’s would be a good fit for Twig and provide Beau with a nice horse to go pointing on for a small fee.
 
Matt and Felicity Hampton of Braysdown Stables trained Twig for the Morgan family with Matt riding Twig in his first run in December 2020 to finish third. Beau then stepped into the saddle and you could say never looked back! Beau’s first ride on Twig was a winning one, and was quickly followed by more. After a dabble in Hunter Chasing the decision was made to run Twig back under rules and back to us he came. Together Twig & Beau have finished second at the Cheltenham Festival and scored their big win in the Summer Cup. Not many partnerships can have claimed to have ticked off so many achievements off a bucket list.
 
When asking Beau about Saturday’s upcoming race one word was uttered “mad!”. “What Twig has already done for me is unreal, he was my first ride, first winner, first ride at the Cheltenham Festival and now to have a confirmation in the Grand National – that’s mad. It’s every aspiring jockey’s dream to ride over those fences and to get the opportunity with a horse that has already given us all so much means everything. The support from Luca, Mum and Dad is huge – they have given me opportunities I am so grateful for.”
 
We wish all runners the best of luck for Saturday’s race – but just maybe a little bit extra for Twig & Beau!!

Rock Sensation was given a lovely ride by Callum Pritchard and proved a true professional with her well timed run round the outside to pick up the win at Southwell in the Mares' Bumper. Congratualtions to her group of owners and to her groom Matty.

Jimbo Sport provided the English half of his ownership reason to celebrate on course at Hereford with his emphatic debut bumper win. The American half of Transatlantic Thoroughbreds had to wait those extra few minutes due to the delay to start their cheers! 

Congratulations to you all - Jimbo looks a fun one for the future. 

Wolf Moon showcases plenty of pace round two miles at Huntingdon. All 17.3hh of Wolf's stature proved particularly useful in the photo finish! Congratualtions to the Hooks and all connections of this smart son of Pether's Moon. He's certainly proving a passion for his job.

Groovy Blue justified his short odds with a lovely run at Market Rasen under Ben Jones. Congratualtions to his owners Dan and Hilary on his second career win.

It's always fun when a horse gains a following, even more so when said horse is giving his supporters something to cheer for.

Following up his last start win, Bad and Ben Jones provided a masterclass in patience with their spin around Kempton in the feature Handicap Chase. Patience has been the name of Bad's campaign, whilst Ben P. has never lost faith in this grey,Bad has had, until recently a good tendancy of finding a way to be beaten! 

We are delighted for owner David Howden that Bad is realising his potential and enjoying battling to the line to get his head infront!

Just like old times! David Bass gave The Jukebox Kid a brilliant spin round Uttoxeter to win well on their rules debut. A lovely run from a horse with a bright future. We are delighted for his recently formed group of owners and Ryan who rides Kid at home.

Diva Luna gained further valuable black type when finishing third in the Grade 2 Mares' Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, just pipped by two Irish invaders! An exceptionally talented mare who has not enjoyed the easiest of seasons, we were delighted she was able to put it behind her and be back to her best for the big day. 

Congratulations to the Maclennans on the first of we are sure, many Cheltenham Festival performers! 

Stardhem has certainly taken to the bigger obstacles! Owned by Pimlico Racing, Stardhem made it back to back wins and gave the BPR team a double on the day at Huntingdon during Festival week. 

Congratulations to all connections!

While most eyes were fixed on Cheltenham, The Decision Makers' focus was on Youdecide at Huntingdon. Making his Handicap debut Youdecide put in a lovely performance under a great ride from Callum Pritchard to take the win. Congratulations to all connections!

Awaythelad ran a competitive race at Southwell under Ben Jones to take the win for his owners, Geri & The Pacemakers. 

Congratulations to all connections!