We Never Stop Takes The Finale

All-Weather has really improved in the past decade. Improved surfaces, additional tracks and most importantly, better prize money, has seen a really popular program on the artificial surface. The Good Friday finals day has ensured that there are some very good horses competing for the big prize money throughout the qualifiers and into the finale. We Never Stop has improved all winter and put up another career best when taking the BetUK All-Weather Sprint Handicap at Newcastle.

We Never Stop is a horse that was always highly thought of, but hadn’t quite hit the highs expected of him. Although he won at 3yo, his form was very patchy and it did seem as though he was holding something back. Gelded following his run at the Ebor festival, We Never Stop would next be seen on the all-weather.

The break along with the gelding procedure seemed to have done the trick as We Never Stop would record a win and three runner ups efforts. There were genuine excuses for the next couple of runs but We Never Stop would bounce back to form by winning at Southwell, which would his final run before the finals day.

All of the fourteen runners were well known to each other, having raced against one another over the winter months. The race had attracted a very strong field with group form brought to the contest. Shane Gray maintained his partnership with We Never Stop and had to overcome a poor draw in stall 2. Fortunately he had a very willing, and quick, horse underneath him who managed to get across through the early stages.

We Never Stop was pressing the pace from the off as Shane gradually allowed him to track over. Racing towards the middle of the track, We Never Stop continued to shuffle over, eventually racing just one off the rail. The field had congregated to bunch on the rail as the leaders moved past halfway.

The front two had not let up and looked to press on passing the 2f marker. With little to separate the pair, they pulled each other along as they tried to get a break on the rest. Many of the field were caught in their heels and couldn’t quicken to get involved but it was the top rated favourite who would burst out of the pack to give chase.

We Never Stop held a narrow advantage moving into the final furlong but he had a very tough nut to crack on his inner. The leading duo had been there throughout and didn’t look like they wanted to throw away their hard work. As they went neck and neck for the lead, they edged away from the favourite. Now it seemed as though the winner was coming from the front two, but it wasn’t clear who that would be. It was agonisingly close but We Never Stop was gamely finding a little bit more with each stride. There didn’t deserve to be a loser, with the front two doing all the hard work, but fortunately the win went the way of We Never Stop, giving him a huge win before the turf season ahead.

With another year on his back, We Never Stop looks to be the finished article now. He has always shown bags of ability and it is nice to see him fulfil that now. The 4yo has got bags of speed but can match that with his genuine attitude to see out the 6f well. Obviously this win will see his handicap rise again and the heritage handicaps will certainly be his target now for the turf season ahead.