3 minute read
Not So Sleepy overcame attritional conditions at Sandown Park to a second Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle, rescheduled from Newcastle.
With Goshen keen to make the running, Sean Bowen was able to sit in second with the veteran hurdler and took over the running at the second-last flight. The two mares, Love Envoi and You Wear It Well, attempted to mount a challenge up the final straight but the Hughie Morrison-trained Not So Sleepy kept on well to score by an easy eight lengths. Love Envoi was second with You Wear It Well a further six-and-a-half lengths back in third.
The eleven-year-old is the oldest winner of the rescheduled contest and previously took the race at its home at Newcastle in 2021, when dead-heating with Nicky Henderson's Epatante.
Trainer Hughie Morrison was delighted with the performance, saying: "I suppose you could see why Nicky didn't want to turn up! That was a Grade One and those mares are Grade One mares and Goshen should have won a Grade One. He has dead-heated in a Grade One and when conditions are right he is a Grade One horse.
"We are thrilled. This is the race we have aimed for since Newbury so it is a great relief that we are here. It is great for the team really. Raj who leads him up and rides him every day, and gets run away with every day, keeps it simple every day.
"He [Not So Sleepy] is a legend. This is his tenth season racing and he has lost none of his enthusiasm. He is better than ever. I think Lord Blyth was more keen to keep going. As he ran so well at Newbury we thought we would have another go at this. He is a magnificent horse. He is a legend. He is an absolutely unique horse. He runs away with his jockey every day and we can't take him to half the gallops as he will plant himself, but he was in the mood today. He looked really well."
In an interview with ITV Racing, jockey Sean Bowen said: "That was the third Grade One win of my career and I haven't had one for a long time. It means a lot.
"He loved the conditions. He is a quirky horse – he'll wing a few and look at a few, he hangs and then he doesn't hang. But he has got some engine.
"Massive appreciation to Hughie Morrison and everyone for letting me on him."
