DON'T PANIC WINS IN HIS NEW HURDLING CAREER
Murphy's strength does the trick
13th Nov 2009
DONīT PANIC won at Taunton yesterday, having his first outing since making his hurdling debut with trainer Ron Hodges at Newton Abbot where he strained a shoulder. Timmy Murphy deserves great credit for dealing with a boisterous Fath gelding who pulled hard from the start until entering the home straight. He still had sufficient in the tank to bring his proven flat speed to bear when maximum effort took him to a half length victory. Our commiserations go to those who suffered mishaps in the race.
A 100+ rated winner on the flat, DON'T PANIC developed a bad habit of refusing to exit the stalls perhaps having been hurt by a gate swinging back into him. After extensive efforts, Allan Bloodlines interviewed various specialists and sent the horse for "rehab" in a completely different, quiet environment. Moved on as part of the plan to Ron Hodges with no improvement in the stalls but clearly thriving, DON'T PANIC started over hurdles and has now won at the second time of asking.
For DON'T PANIC and his patient owner Tony Webb an interesting future awaits. Although the form of this race is modest, the horse would appear to have more to give if he can settle better as he learns his new trade.