Bill Turner is synonymous with sprinters. He is known as a horse trainer of two-year-olds, especially the Brocklesby Stakes, which is the first juveniles race of the turf.
Sadly, in recent years, this able trainer has struggled with a lack of horse numbers. The man who hit the headlines for riding a zebra to the pub. The Devon-based handler has been blessed with many a talented horse including The Lord has struggled to attract a two-year-old string to do him proud. With fewer numbers, competing against bigger stables who make hay while the sun shines.
Bill Turner has won the Brocklesby stakes a record six times they include:
1996 Indian Spark
2002 The Lord
2006 Spoof Master
2008 Sally's Dilemma
2011 He's So Cool
2013 Mick's Yer Man
This year's Brocklesby Stakes 2019 saw Show Me Show Me winning this race and going on to compete at Group class, for Richard Fahey and Ontoawinner racing syndicate.
Bill Turner's Hell Of A Joker was priced 10/1 but finished down the field in fourteenth place. It must have been a bitter pill to swallow after all those years of success. I'm sure Turner feels that every year is getting harder which must be so frustrating.
Hell Of A Joker is running at Chelmsford 1:35 (14th September) and priced 66/1 with bookmakers. This brown colt is a son of Hellvelyn makes his third start after finishing down the field on his second start at Beverley back in April.
To be fair, this doesn't look the strongest of races. Hell Of A Joker showed very good pace last time out before tiring rapidly in the final furlong and needs to have matured to have any hope today.
From a low draw, on a turning course, it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see Hell Of A Joker lead. Whether he can run to line is a matter for debate.
It would be great to see Turner have a smile on his face if this colt could prove his thoughts about the Brocklesby weren't unfounded.
