Big Bad Dream runs in the bumper at Carlisle

Phil Martin owned, Brian Ellison trained is now the accepted powerhouse combination in the North (Definitely Red, anyone?). And their Windsor Avenue will be at short odds to follow up his bumper success on Rules debut in January, today at Carlisle where our Big Bad Dream will be one of his three opponents.  Windsor Avenue was trained by the Crawford Bros. to win an Irish Point in November of last year and purchased by Martin for £65k just a month later.

An equally expensive purchase from Olly Murphy's yard comes up North in the shape of the Shirocco gelding General Custard, who finished 4th (beaten 20 lengths) in a heavy ground bumper at Ffos Las a couple of months ago. He'd be expected to perform better.

Amarone Gentleman is a 6 year old Oscar gelding making his debut for Susan Corbett's yard. His sales price dropped from €40k as a 3 year old to £7.5k last September. He's had a wind op since, and wears a tongue-tie but I can't find any winning siblings in the form book. Still Susan is no stranger to producing bumper winners, although this fellow looks to need a bit of time.

That's an accolade that could also be applied to our Mountain High 6 year old Big Bad Dream. If he returns to the form of his debut run at Ayr (heavy) 13 months ago then he would go close, but on the form of his second run he would be up against it. We'd have preferred a bigger field as Big Bad Dream has his quirks, but without tearing the house down he's been working fine with his fellow bumper horses and may be worth a small interest (win only).

Big Bad Dream (left, Callum) pictured working with our old friend Hartforth (Kingy)