Secret Squirrel reigns in Sovereign success

Secret Squirrel secured the major prize he has long promised in the Fitzdares Sovereign Handicap Hurdle at Windsor.

Hughie Morrison’s charge stands out from the crowd being a flaxen chestnut, meaning his mane is virtually blonde.

The six-year-old has plenty of ability too, as evidenced by four previous wins and a number of fine efforts in defeat in good company.

Having kicked off his campaign by finishing third at Ascot, Secret Squirrel was well fancied for the valuable Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at the Berkshire circuit’s pre-Christmas meeting and was still in contention when falling two flights from home.

He was an 11-4 favourite to bounce back in this £110,000 handicap and after travelling strongly under Nico de Boinville, Morrison’s runner quickened up despite looking ungainly on the run-in to score by two lengths from Kabral Du Mathan, who narrowly beat Knickerbockerglory to the runner-up spot.

Morrison told ITV Racing: “He’s an extremely attractive horse and his grandfather is Double Trigger. He’s a very good horse.

“The day he was born he’d walk up to you and knock you over. We broke him in almost as a yearling as he was such a pain at home.

“We usually do well here on the Flat but we don’t often run for £58,000! They should get rid of the Flat and just have jumping as you’ll get a good crowd.”

De Boinville, partnering Secret Squirrel for the first time, told Sky Sports Racing: “David Bass has ridden him in the past and he has given me a few pointers. He’s a hardy horse who knew what he was doing, handled the ground and travelled, which was the main thing.

“He’s got his own mind and it’s just a case of working with him rather than against him. I thought he jumped great and I’m just very lucky to come in for the ride.”

Coral make Secret Squirrel their 6-1 favourite from 16-1 for the newly-named William Hill Hurdle at Newbury on February 8.