Fresh And Back To Winning For We Never Stop

We Never Stop has really started to fulfil his potential over the winter months, starting to match his home work with track performance. Always a sprinter that looked like he could be a real Saturday performer, We Never Stop took his biggest prize in the 6f Gamble Responsibly At BetUK Handicap at Southwell.

Despite winning as a 3yo last season, We Never Stop put in lack lustre performances either side of that sole win. It felt as though he was going through the motions and so a gelding procedure was undertaken, along with a break. This immediately did the trick as he returned with a win when tackling the all-weather for the first time. He was unlucky not to add to his tally but continued to show strong form with three runner up results. As his form dipped in subsequent runs, We Never Stop was given a break to freshen up before one last push on the all-weather.

The 11 runner field consisted mainly of veteran sprinters. Despite We Never Stop being the young pretender in the line up, many of the field have raced off handicaps far and away higher than this level. Shane Gray maintained his partnership with the gelding as they looked for a career best.

With the field jumping on level terms, Shane was able to edge over from his wide draw without doing anything too crazy. One rival inside of him wanted to go on and was allowed to do so. With the bend coming up, the rest of the filed began to thin out into a more streamline formation as the leader started to kick clear. We Never Stop sat off the pace in second as they entered the bend going great guns.

Hallways saw the field stretched out like they had been at Cheltenham earlier in the afternoon. The leader was pressing on from halfway and ensured he held a large advantage over We Never Stop and the rest. Shane was happy to continue sitting off the frantic pace as they round the bend and stared down the home straight. As they hit the top of the straight, with just over 2 1/2f to run, the chasing pack started to get the hurry up. There was a clear advantage at the front and now came the “catch me if you can” moment.

Shane was one of the later jockeys to get to work but was well positioned to have first crack at the leader. Nudged along, We Never Stop began to bridge the gap, reeling the leader in with every stride. Heading into the final furlong he had reeled in the leader whilst also keeping those behind at bay. Full of running, We Never Stop hit the front and swept past the long time leader with ease. Momentum was on his side and energy in his legs, so despite a late flourish from the eventual runner up, there was no stopping him. We Never Stop galloped out through the line, securing his best win by 1 length.

This was a strong performance and showed that he is equally adept over 6f and 5f. Whilst the big sprint handicaps will await during the turf season, there is a nice end of season race at Newcastle on Good Friday, for the all-weather finals. It is a huge pot available for the all-weather performers and this will surely be his aim before the turf season gets into full swing.