PATRICK GODFREY is eyeing a return to Nottingham, the track where his big-race story started, with Arthur Bitter after his star youngster won the Betway Juvenile Classic Final at Towcester.

One of three members of an outstanding September 2024 Grangeview Ten-Annadown Cutie litter in the final line-up at Towcester, Arthur Bitter ultimately led home litter brother Annadown Warrior (Maxine Locke) having led early and cleared his lines off the second bend. 

Crossing the line a length and three-quarters clear of Annadown Warrior (Maxine Locke) with fast-starting Venetian Mario (John Campbell) in third, Arthur Bitter clocked 29.13sec (-10) for the 500m trip and earned himself a trip to Nottingham for the Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic which starts on August 17.

“Bitter turns two in September and the final at Nottingham, if we make it, is on August 31 so we just about get in!” said Godfrey.

He added: “Thanks to everyone at Towcester for looking after us. It was a great day for me and Bitter and I gave him a decent cheer down the back once he’d got himself in front. He needed to come away and do exactly what he did in the semis and I always thought he’d improve anyway. He’d not had much racing coming into the Juvenile Classic.

Towcester racing manager Danny Rayment added his congratulations to Patrick Godfrey and Arthur Bitter – and admitted to making a mistake!

“I have to hold my hands up and concede I should have selected him for the puppy competition supporting the Derby but at the time he’d only just come over from Ireland.

“However, I’m sure this more than makes up for the disappointment of not getting in that competition! Arthur Bitter was definitely a worthy winner of the Juvenile Classic.”

 

Photos: © Steve Nash