Turner aims to keep it in family with Doncaster success

Turner, who is seeking a sixth success in the contest with Mick’s Yer Man, traditionally targets the race with his more forward juveniles but admits the adverse weather this winter has made it harder than ever to prepare his team of youngsters.

Turner trains in Somerset, an area hit particularly hard by the wet winter, and he said last night: “We haven’t got a secret, we just work hard through the winter and get them knowing their job, it’s as simple as that.

“This winter has been unbelievable, it’s the worst winter I’ve even known – I’ve been here 25 years and never known nothing like it.

“They haven’t got their summer coats at all. The worst thing was it was stop-go-stop-go. We’re on top of a hill and I’ve never seen standing water before on the top of a hill.

“I don’t think Newmarket has had quite the weather we have, we’ve had it particularly bad in the West Country.

“In the past, we’ve had milder winters but it seems to have turned round now. It’s possible we’ve lost our advantage.

“I’ve got a Bahamian Bounty colt (Mick’s Yer Man) and, if you looked at him, you’d say he wants a bit of time and is a bit leggy, he could well get beat for a bit of early toe but we hope to see him staying on.

“Ryan’s my grandson. I bought a few two-year-olds this year to try to get him going a little bit. He’s getting a bit heavy and will have to go jumping but I’m trying to get him a few winners on the Flat before that happens.

“He’s had 15-20 pony race winners and has been riding since before he could walk. He’s ridden nine winners already and loves the game.”

A victory for Mick’s Yer Man would continue the remarkable run of racing dynasties.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies believes that The New One will be a genuine Champion Hurdle contender next season after being ridden to Cheltenham glory last week by his son Sam, now one of the country’s most accomplished National Hunt jockeys.

Salubrious, the only Cheltenham winner for reigning champion trainer Paul Nicholls came courtesy of the horsemanship of his nephew Harry Derham – a rising star of the weighing room – while the Ted Walsh-trained Seabass, a leading contender for next month’s John Smith’s Grand National, will, in all probability, be ridden by his daughter, Katie.

But, in racing’s generation game, it’s relatively rare for a grandfather and grandson to team up – and no-one has a better record in the Brocklesby than Bill Turner.