Defence Witness Delivers at Cartmel!

What a way to end the week — Defence Witness stormed home to land a thrilling victory at Cartmel on Saturday, marking a well-deserved and emotional win for all involved.

After a disappointing debut under the Battenberg silks, the England team went back to the drawing board and uncovered a genuine issue that had been holding him back. With the problem addressed and a clear plan agreed upon with owners, it was decided that Defence Witness would return to the track once the better ground was in his favour.

That moment arrived at Cartmel, with his first start back coming over the chase fences. The goal for the day was simple: a safe, confidence-boosting round to get him back on track. With Jonathan England taking the reins, hopes were high — and so, it turned out, were the market expectations. Overnight and early support saw his odds tumble from a reported 8/1 down to a well-backed 6/4 favourite.

Just before the race, the ground was officially changed to Good to Soft — not ideal for Defence Witness, but after careful consideration, connections opted to let him take his chance. And what a decision that proved to be.

From the outset, it was clear he wasn’t enjoying the softer surface. Jonathan had to work hard from the start, with Defence Witness racing towards the rear and needing plenty of encouragement. Gradually, he crept into midfield, while some of his rivals travelled sweetly in front.

It didn’t look likely turning for home — but Jonathan England wasn’t giving up. With an inspired and determined ride, he urged every last ounce out of Defence Witness, who responded gamely. In a pulsating finish, he got Defence Witness’ head in front right on the line, sparking incredible scenes and huge celebrations from his owners.

It was a gutsy, hard-earned win — and testament to the excellent training performance from Sam England, who’s worked tirelessly to get this gelding back on track. This victory meant a lot, and we couldn’t be prouder of how far he’s come in the last few months.

Congratulations to all owners and connections — enjoy that sticky toffee pudding (a Cartmel must!). Let’s hope this is the spark that turns the tide for Ursa Major Racing this week, with plenty more exciting chances to come.

📺 Race replay will be uploaded shortly to our YouTube channel.
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