Derby Sale Graduate Grey Dawning strikes at Grade 1 Level

Grey Dawning produced a superb performance to land the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The seven-year-old was purchased at the 2020 Derby Sale from Castledillon Stud by Brenden Bashford Bloodstock for €40,000, and was continuing an excellent week for Dan and Harry Skelton.

The son of Flemensfirth lead home a fellow Tattersalls Ireland graduate, with November National Hunt Sale graduate Ginny’s Destiny filling the runner-up spot.

Commenting after the race, winning trainer Dan Skelton said: “He has always been potentially top class – to win two bumpers at the start of your life and you are destined to be a chaser, you just want it to happen.

"And to win a Grade 1 novice here is just great, it gives all that future to hopefully look forward to.

This Grade 1 win for Grey Dawning means owner Robert Kirkland is the recipient of a €5,000 voucher to spend at the 50th Derby Sale in June.

The winning owner commented: “What an outstanding horse! He just does it, and Dan has done a great job with him, I am really pleased.

"This horse has the ability to develop into a future Gold Cup horse, he has the stamina, he likes the going as it is today.

Shakem Up’ Arry provided trainer Ben Pauling with his first winner at this year's Cheltenham Festival, when running out a game winner of the TrustATrader Plate. He was sold at the November National Hunt Sale by The Beeches Stud to Marsh Farm.