Appleby keen to defend all-weather title

Rivalling the likes of Aidan O’Brien and John Gosden on turf may be a battle beyond the resources of Mick Appleby – but the chances of clinching a second All-Weather Champion Trainer title is very much a distinct possibility.

Having finished runner-up in the two previous campaigns, Appleby, who will be moving his team from his current base in Danethorpe to a site in Oakham next month, finally got his hands on the crown – and the £10,000 winner’s cheque – after topping the table last season.

Although it is often said that retaining titles is harder than winning them, Appleby will not give up on the prize he fought hard for during the colder months, despite acknowledging that repeating that success will be far from straightforward.

Appleby said: “We will be certainly trying to win it again and we would have a good chance again, although I think it will be a lot more difficult.

“We have a good team, though, and we will try to bang in the winners.

“It helped last year with Godolphin not having …

continue reading in source www.skysports.com