BEVERLEY RACES: Midgley Sweet On Choc’a’moca

Epsom hero Paul Midgley wants to maintain the feel-good factor from his Westow stables when Choc’A’Moca runs at Beverley Racecourse on Wednesday.

The North Yorkshire handler enjoyed one of the finest days of his career on Saturday when Desert Law and Monsieur Joe finished a respective first and second in the Investec “Dash”.

“It’s not really sunk in yet,” said Midgley.

“By the time we got into the lorry on Saturday night, I must have had 69 text messages congratulating us, and then we got a load more texts on the journey back north.

“It was an unbelievable, overwhelming afternoon and I’m just so proud of the two horses.

“To have the first two home in a race like that really was something.

“It was one of those golden days I’ll always remember.”

Midgley will now attempt to stay on an upwardly mobile trajectory when Choc’A’Moca competes in division one of the Follow Us On Twitter @Beverley_Races Handicap (2.30).

The eight-year-old gelding, owned locally by John Milburn and Andrew Stephenson, has yet to show his best form this season but he is usually a worthy ally on the Westwood.

Choc’A’Moca has won three sprint handicaps at Beverley, including this race in 2011, and will break from stall two in the hands of Graham Lee.

“He’s in good form and is coming back to himself,” said Midgley.

“He’s very well treated on his best form and I think we have to be confident he’ll go well as he likes running at Beverley.

“He’s also got a good draw in stall two so he’s drawn to attack.

“Every year he can be relied on to win one or two races and he wouldn’t be far away from popping up again.

“It’s only been the last few weeks that our horses have started running well again so fingers crossed old Choc’A’Moca can keep the momentum going.”

Midgley is keen to give Monsieur Joe a swift chance of going one place better than at Epsom on Saturday.

The eight-year-old gelding will be entered at Cork on Sunday, when he is likely to join stablemate Line Of Reason in the Listed Midsummer Sprint Stakes over five furlongs.

“Monsieur Joe travelled extremely well at Epsom and did everything right,” said the trainer.

“At one stage it looked like he would win, but then our other horse put the race to bed in a couple of strides.

“He’s come out of Epsom so well that I see no reason to wait three weeks for another run.

“That Cork race looks ideal for him and Line Of Reason.”

Desert Law, who had his second start of the season in a five-furlong sprint at Beverley in April, will also head across the Irish Sea towards the end of the month.

Midgley told Beverley Racecourse: “I always thought he had a massive chance at Epsom, but I was worried about the draw.

“He was well handicapped, though, and it was just a matter of getting his brain right for the big occasion.

“He’ll definitely go for the Rockingham Handicap at the Curragh in a few weeks.

“We’ll give him a bit of time and then plan for that race, which should suit him down to the ground.”

The official going at Beverley is good to firm, good in places, with watering taking place to preserve conditions.

Racing is due to begin at 2pm, with the £10,000 Weatherbys Hamilton Handicap (3.30pm) over an extended mile the highlight of the eight-race card.