Burke: Town Plate victory would surpass Cheltenham Festival successes

Keiran Burke admits that winning the Newmarket Town Plate on his return to the saddle on Saturday (August 23rd) would give him ‘more satisfaction’ than tasting victory at the Cheltenham Festival. 

The 39-year-old is one of only a handful of people to have ridden, and trained, a winner at The Festival, after scoring on Holmwood Legend in the 2011 Byrne Group Plate before saddling Hunt Ball to glory in the 2012 Pulteney Land Investments Novices’ Handicap Chase. 

But while proud of both those achievements the Dorset-based trainer, who retired from riding in 2011, insists that victory in the historic prize on the July Course, which was instigated by King Charles II, and first staged in 1666, would top the lot. 

Burke said: “All the staff said I couldn’t do it, so I had to prove them wrong. It was probably about three months ago that it came on the agenda but, originally, I was a reserve. 

“I was then put in as someone else pulled out, so it has been a bit all last minute to get everything sorted to go and do it. 

“I think it would give me loads more satisfaction winning this than winning at the Cheltenham Festival. 

“I’ve not had a massive chance to think about it too much, and what it means, but it is starting to sink in a little bit more now. 

“I think all those old memories will be flooding back, but it is even better there are not eight flights of hurdles to negotiate!"

While victory would be the ultimate achievement, for Burke there is only one thing he has on his mind entering the race and that is to beat his colleague from the training ranks - Tim Vaughan. 

He added: “I’ve got one thing I need to get done and that is to beat Tim Vaughan. "We have not had a side bet on this, but from what I’ve seen he is taking this very seriously. 

“I was up at Newmarket at the weekend, and I was having a drink with Josephine Gordon and she texted Tim a picture of me drinking a pint for my preparation when he has been all over Instagram going running and stuff.

“If Tim Vaughan is last and I’m second last I will be delighted!”

Not only is Burke out to impress his staff, and prove his doubters wrong, but he is also attempting to show his 16-year-old son, and amateur jockey, Louis, just what he is capable of in the saddle. 

He added: “I think, and hope the staff are proud of me, although my son Louis, who has had a few amateur rides on the Flat and a few point-to-point rides, has been ribbing me a bit. 

“He has just started riding now and he has been telling me don’t ride too long as you will look daft. 

“He has given me a fair bit of stick, but he said he wants to do it with me next year. However, we will see about that.”

And while Burke admits that passing the fitness test required to participate in the race, which has been shortened to two miles one furlong from three miles six furlongs due to the dry summer, was a challenge in itself, he believes that in Chedington’s Guest he has a solid contender. 

He added: "I don’t know about being in good shape, but I got going when I was first going to go for it then I backed off as I wasn’t doing it, but now I am doing I’ve had to get on with it. 

“I’ve not been drinking so much or eating so much. I’ve had to lose about half-a-stone which wasn’t too bad. I passed the fitness test, but that nearly killed me, however I got through it in the end. 

“The horse I’m riding is called Chedington’s Guest. He is not the easiest horse, but he will be okay. 

“He was placed in a bumper at Taunton last April and he is a nice horse. I got the best one eligible out of my lot I could find for the race.

“The owners are coming up and so is my son, but as it is on a Saturday unfortunately the staff will have to stay at home and work.

“I think it will be a laugh and good fun hopefully. It has been a long time since I retired. I just need to make sure my legs are still working near the end of it.”