Training racehorses can be a stressful career choice. This seemingly unusual remark was laid bare on Saturday in Alan King's comments after Edwardstone's comprehensive defeat of well-regarded rivals in the Inngle Creek at Sandown.
The likeable trainer professed himself "relieved" after a torrid month in which his leading jumps star had been withdrawn first at Cheltenham from the Shloer Chase and subsequently from Ascot, both on account of the ground. The unappetising following of social media commentators without any first hand knowledge of the requirements of any individual horse but a readiness to post scathing criticism is a feature of modern day life, and it would be a lie to say everyone is inured to it. The end justified the means as Edwardstone raced to a 9l victory over Grenetean after his delayed seasonal debut.
King has, by his own admission, found maintaining his ranking in the Jumps training hierarchy pretty tough in recent years. His owners have been regularly out bid at the sales, and big money owners with bottomless pockets are few and far between. There have been easier - and often richer - pickings to choose from on the Flat. King is far from alone on this problem. The concentration of power in fewer and fewer hands means that those trainers previously handling top quality stock are today's "squeezed middle", unable to throw huge money speculatively and often second-bested on the racetrack in the biggest races.
But in Edwardstone, once again, King has a horse to put him back at the top table. On a form line through Funambule Sivola, Edwardstone is at least a match for Energumene, if not has the beating of him. And it appears that Shishkin will be competing over longer distances. Among the younger generation of 2m chasers, that leaves Envoi Allen, Put The Kettle On and Nube Negra, whilst we await other contenders.
The best news of all is that Edwardstone is not some expensive purchase but one of a rare breed nowadays - a home-bred by owners Robert Abrey and Ian Thurtle. They've had some misses along the way, but in Edwardstone, they may have unearthed a little gem.
Training racehorses can be a stressful career choice. This seemingly unusual remark was laid bare on Saturday in Alan King's comments after Edwardstone's comprehensive defeat of well-regarded rivals in the Inngle Creek at Sandown.
The likeable trainer professed himself "relieved" after a torrid month in which his leading jumps star had been withdrawn first at Cheltenham from the Shloer Chase and subsequently from Ascot, both on account of the ground. The unappetising following of social media commentators without any first hand knowledge of the requirements of any individual horse but a readiness to post scathing criticism is a feature of modern day life, and it would be a lie to say everyone is inured to it. The end justified the means as Edwardstone raced to a 9l victory over Grenetean after his delayed seasonal debut.
King has, by his own admission, found maintaining his ranking in the Jumps training hierarchy pretty tough in recent years. His owners have been regularly out bid at the sales, and big money owners with bottomless pockets are few and far between. There have been easier - and often richer - pickings to choose from on the Flat. King is far from alone on this problem. The concentration of power in fewer and fewer hands means that those trainers previously handling top quality stock are today's "squeezed middle", unable to throw huge money speculatively and often second-bested on the racetrack in the biggest races.
But in Edwardstone, once again, King has a horse to put him back at the top table. On a form line through Funambule Sivola, Edwardstone is at least a match for Energumene, if not has the beating of him. And it appears that Shishkin will be competing over longer distances. Among the younger generation of 2m chasers, that leaves Envoi Allen, Put The Kettle On and Nube Negra, whilst we await other contenders.
The best news of all is that Edwardstone is not some expensive purchase but one of a rare breed nowadays - a home-bred by owners Robert Abrey and Ian Thurtle. They've had some misses along the way, but in Edwardstone, they may have unearthed a little gem.
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