Edinburgh hero Everaard strikes for merged stable

Everaard ushered in a new era for Philip Kirby and Kate Walton in fine style when landing the Bet toteexacta At totepool.com Happy New Year Handicap Chase at Musselburgh.

Kirby has taken up the reins at Walton’s Middleham yard and it was Everaard (13-2) who ensured it was business as usual by winning for the fifth time at the Edinburgh track under Richie McGrath.

Never far off the pace, he shrugged off all challengers to land the spoils by a length-and- a-half from Foot The Bill.

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Though Walton is no longer the name above the door at the stable, she explained she will still be very hands on.

She said: “Myself and Phil (Kirby) have merged. Basically, I was a small yard and I had some empty boxes while Phil has done very well and has outgrown his yard so we’ve gone together.

“Phil holds the licence and I’m going to still be very much part of it, keep my owners on board, help Phil progress up the ladders and, hopefully, it will be fun.

“We’ve got nearly 50 horses between us.

“Everaard loves it at Musselburgh, he just kept sticking his head out.

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“It was slightly on the soft side really and I nearly pulled him out, but he’s done it really well.”

Swing Bowler maintained her unbeaten record with a clear-cut victory in the totequadpot At totepool.com Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle at Musselburgh.

A daughter of the smart Lady Cricket, whose 11 career successes included the Game Spirit Chase and Thomas Pink Gold Cup, Swing Bowler (3-1 fav) overcame a nine-and-a-half month absence in some style.

Winner of two bumpers in 2011 and two hurdles last term, the David Pipe-trained six-year-old looked a class act as she swept to a four-and-a-half-length success over Ingleby Spirit in the hands of Conor O’Farrell.

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Speaking from Exeter where he sent out Buddy Bolero to score, Pipe said: “I don’t know any other horse that’s five out of five.

“Lady Cricket was a very good mare and she’s also has a got a great attitude.

“She did go to the December Sales to be sold as a broodmare but she didn’t make her reserve, so she went back into training and it’s great to have her back.

“That was the softest ground she’s had and she handled it well.

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“She was at Timmy Murphy’s in the summer and she’s stronger, but she is going to have to improve.”

Home Run gave Pipe a double, and his third triumph of the day, when chalking up his fifth win in 26 days in the Follow totepool On Facebook And Twitter Handicap Hurdle.

Harry Haynes brought Bocciani (7-1) with a smooth run to put his stamp on the totepool.com Honest Toun Handicap Chase.

Held up in the early stages, Bocciani jumped alongside the pace-setting Niceonefrankie four out and gradually pulled clear to score by seven lengths.

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