Brian Bolton

Brian Bolton

Article by Alan Trout

Brian Bolton had one win from just a few rides under National Hunt rules. 

Apprenticed to Bridlington-based trainer Clifford Watts, he finished third on his first ride when Possidon could not quicken in the closing stages of the Fiveways Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Ayr on October 9, 1971 after leading at the second last flight. He rode the four-year-old in two subsequent starts that season, finishing fourth once. 

He had to wait until the meeting at Hexham on October 30, 1972 for his lone success when Lava Storm, owned, trained and bred by Watts, led all the way to land the Borcovicus Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) by two and a half lengths. Brian had already been placed twice from three starts on the five-year-old but, despite that Hexham victory, never rode him again. 

His career ended when unseated from Royal Wunit at the fifth flight in the Hornby Novices’ Hurdle at Catterick Bridge on March 7, 1973.