Licence to thrill

Becky Moody's latest star wins his first grand prix, Higgins is in the sashes again, and Secret sons catch the eye in the young horse classes

-  JO PRESTWICH

Myerscough College Premier League, Lancs ON only his third start at the level, James Bond won Sunday's and his first - grand prix class on 70.8% under Becky Moody.

"He can do it all, but he's green at the level and still developing balance," said an understandably delighted Becky of Jo Cooper and Pat and David Webster's 10-year-old stallion. "It's fantastic to get his summer nationals qualification so early in the season and I might get him to a couple of internationals this year if the opportunity arises." "Q", as he is known at home, was bought as a three-year-old and is one of just two stallions at the Moodys' Yorkshire base.

"If he wasn't so easy, he wouldn't still be entire," she said. "First and foremost, he's a competition horse, but he has got offspring in Holland and we've three at home including one out of a half-sister to Jagerbomb." The latter is a half-brother to Becky's Duende Roo (Roobarb), who won the four-year-old class in the capable hands of Anna Burns.

Roobarb is by Caunton Stud's Dankeschön, a son of Danone I "I love that Danone I bloodline," said Becky. "They might not always be the flashiest looking, but they all have real trainability and an aptitude for the grand prix work. Roobarb is super talented although whether she's going to be big enough for me is debatable, but Anna will ride her for now and we'll see how we go."