Landy ponders Meldrum Lad options

Justin Landy was in gravel-voiced form today, nursing a sore throat after cheering home a first and third in Friday’s Skinner’s Ladies Open Championship Final at Stratford.

“You give it your all,” said Yorkshire-based Landy (pictured above), reflecting on the moment when the Becky Smith-ridden Meldrum Lad swooped running to the final fence and danced clear, beating evens-favourite Virak by two and a quarter lengths. A further half a length back in third was Seefood, also trained by Landy, and ridden by Lottie Crane.

Landy has recently completed the task of building a new yard just outside Melmerby in Yorkshire, and he expects to gain a permit and be ready to saddle his first runners in July. He said: “There’s just a stable inspection to come. It’s a lovely yard, just 12 boxes, but with beautiful views and easy access to the High Moor and Low Moor gallops at Middleham. We would like to start with a winner, and we’re getting some interesting horses together to run under Rules.”

Asked about his Stratford runners’ wellbeing, Landy said: “They are in good form. Seefood has gone home to his owner [Ivan Crane] and Meldrum Lad has been out in his paddock. The question we have to ask ourselves is do we keep Meldrum Lad on the go to run under Rules this summer, or give him a break and bring him back next season? He is a very good horse with a turn of foot. Whichever decision we make Becky will keep the ride.

“She really is a very good pilot – it was like having a professional on our side on Friday.”