FEBRUARY 2015
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Saturday 28 February 2015 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Newbury: West End
Rocker (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 9th in the Veterans’ Handicap
Chase (12 ran). First
Mohican (Alan King/Denis O’Regan) finished 8th in
the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (9 ran). McCabe
Creek (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Novices’ Handicap
Hurdle (8 ran). Miss Crick (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Junior Bumper (Junior Standard Open NH Flat
Race) (16 ran); Wayne’s 34th winner of the season. As
mentioned yesterday, there is just one runner of interest tomorrow, at Huntingdon: 16:30
Inner Drive (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Maiden Hurdle March
tomorrow; the Cheltenham Festival is fast approaching ... |
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Friday 27 February 2015 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Newbury: Hindon Road (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap
Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs] Krackatoa King (Noel Williams/James
Banks) won the
Handicap Hurdle [3 miles & ½ a furlong]; he’s a huge horse, standing at
over 18 hands but he was able to wear down his nearest rival to win by 3
lengths at the line. Awesome
Rosie (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished 3rd but Katie Too (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) won the Mares’ Standard Open Flat Race; Wayne’s 33rd
winner of the
season; he rode his 32nd winner of the season aboard Dragon’s Den at Taunton
yesterday. Doncaster: Altesse De Guye (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 4th in the Mares’
Handicap Hurdle (7 ran). Kyles Faith (Martin Keighley/Conor
Shoemark) finished 10th in the Handicap Hurdle [2
miles 3½ furlongs] (14 ran). My runners
of interest tomorrow are as follows: Newbury: 14:15 West
End Rocker (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Veterans’ Handicap Chase 14:50
First Mohican (Alan King/Denis O’Regan) – Greatwood Handicap Hurdle 16:00
McCabe Creek (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 17:05 Miss
Crick (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Junior Bumper (Junior Standard Open NH
Flat Race) None at
Kelso or Doncaster tomorrow. Meanwhile,
on Sunday, there is just one runner of interest, at Huntingdon: 16:30
Inner Drive (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Maiden Hurdle Nothing
particular planned for the weekend; although I must free up some space on the
Sky HD hard drive so that I have enough to record RUK’s coverage of the
Cheltenham Festival. |
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Thursday 26 February 2015 |
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There are
a number of runners of interest tomorrow: Newbury: 16:10 Hindon Road (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle
[2 miles 5 furlongs] 16:40 Krackatoa King (Noel Williams/James Banks) – Handicap
Hurdle [3 miles & ½ a furlong] 17:15
Awesome Rosie (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) & Katie Too (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Mares’ Standard Open Flat Race.
Katie Too is a full sister to The Pirate’s Queen. Doncaster: 16:20 Altesse De Guye (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 17:25 Kyles Faith (Martin Keighley/Conor
Shoemark) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3½ furlongs] News today
that Menace won’t be able to run on Saturday.
Following work yesterday, he pulled out lame behind this morning. But that’s racing. The situation will be reassessed after the
weekend, our horse having rested for a few days. Poor little cutie ... fingers crossed that
it doesn’t prove to be too serious. Jason
Maguire has lost his appeal and will miss this year’s Cheltenham Festival,
having also been absent last year due to a very serious injury. More I found
the black jacket I wanted in M & S today ... then decided that, because
the style doesn’t have pockets, to buy a pair of M & S ‘Hotter style’ Footglove
shoes instead! They are very comfortable
and I plan to wear them to walk to and from work during the summer; so I’ve
now used my £40 of vouchers. But I
will keep an eye on the stock levels on M & S’ website, just in case I
change my mind about the jacket and decide to buy it after all in the next
few weeks; finances permitting of course. |
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Wednesday 25 February 2015 |
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There were
no runners of interest today ... and there are none tomorrow too! Today is
my ‘Friday’ as I now have two days
leave; it’s 2014 holiday which must be used this week or lost. My parcel
of ‘Laid Back Larry’ goodies
arrived today; hopefully I will soon be the owner of one very cute knitted
sloth! Alan King
talks about his Cheltenham Festival hopes for Balder Succes. More Alan also
discusses his festival prospects in tomorrow’s Racing Post; I shall walk down
to the local supermarket early tomorrow in the hope they still have a copy or
two.
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Monday 23 February 2015 |
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Morning
Herald was a non-runner at Plumpton today. However,
there is actually one result to report – Kumbeshwar
finished 2nd in a 2-mile Handicap Hurdle at Ayr today (5 ran). There’s
National Hunt racing at Catterick and Leicester
tomorrow, but no runners of interest. It came as
no surprise to learn that Lingfield’s fixture
scheduled for this coming Wednesday has been abandoned due to
water-logging. So trainer Noel
Williams has come up with a Plan B, which is to run Menace in the Conditional
and Amateur Jockeys bumper at Doncaster on Saturday instead; a 2 miles and ½
a furlong race. There may yet need to
be a Plan C, should the race attract too many good horses, or if the ground
or weather deteriorates, or if he gets balloted out. There are 24 entries at present. Beat That,
relatively fancied for the World Hurdle, will miss the remainder of this
season; he will pursue a steeplechase career next season. More |
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Sunday 22 February 2015 |
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Just one
runner of interest tomorrow, at Plumpton: 17:10
Morning Herald (Martin Keighley/Richard Johnson) – Intermediate Open NH Flat
Race There was
an interesting article in the Racing Post regarding yesterday’s free entry
race-day at Kempton Park. It was
mentioned that, in addition to encouraging new people to attend the races, it
was also possibly aimed at ‘connecting’
with the local community following rumours that the racecourse hopes to build
hundreds of homes on the vacant land to the east of the racecourse. I presume that’s the area which, once upon
a time, used to be the mile-long racecourse spur known as the Jubilee course;
it’s just scrubland now. The
racecourse has carried out a feasibility study and the locals are not happy
at the prospect. And the
Kempton Park swans might be in for a rude awakening too ... evidently the
racecourse is currently investigating the possibility of having the swans
relocated due to the problems they can cause when they stray onto the track
during races. Presumably not easy, as
not only do they fly and could return at will, but permission has to be sort
because all mute swans living on the Thames are regarded as the property of
the Queen. I’m just
so glad that I didn’t need to go to Kempton Park yesterday. The article described the punters as “the
usual free-raceday assortment – young families,
groups of lads and quietly seething purists”.
And you’ve guessed it, I would have been one
of those ‘quietly seething purists’! They should have a special enclosure for
the purists, so that we are not annoyed by the other groups ... but I guess
it’s usually called the Premier Enclosure!
Come to
think of it, Aintree should have a small and select enclosure for anyone who
attends solely because of the racing, especially on Ladies Day! It’s not
good to have too much time on my hands, as I’ve been surfing the net and have
found a number of items to purchase.
I’ve bought a pair of taupe Hotter shoes in their sale (a style called
Clarissa which I’ve already got in black and pale pink); after all, they were
half price! Also three
items of dichroic jewellery from suppliers on Etsy; that’s my current weakness. They are all one offs, so you have to buy
them when you see them – two pairs of earrings and a pendant. A number of times I’ve delayed in the past
and given myself a purchase date but, as that day approaches, I discover they
have already been sold to someone else.
And I’ve
bought two reels of Beadalon Silver Satin coloured
7-strand stringing wire from one of my favourite suppliers of sterling silver
findings, Palmer Metals. I have a list
of favourite beading suppliers, and their price was the cheapest. Beadalon is my
favourite stringing medium, and I’m running short. I’m always re-stringing, if something can
be improved upon; I’m a perfectionist.
And I
bought a necklace kit and a string of large silver-plated spacer beads from
another favourite supplier, Totally Beads.
I usually replace a chain, ribbon, or cord with beads when I buy a
pendant and I’ve got problems with one or two where the spacer beads I’ve
placed to each side of the bail slip through to the other side because they
are too small; it annoys me and needs to be sorted. And I’ve
bought the pattern and materials to make ‘Laid
Back Larry’ the sloth. I’ve
recently bought five paper patterns to make skirts, and now covert an overlocker sewing machine. But I’ll have to save up for that; mind
you, a basic machine is only around £200.
I currently have an electronic sewing machine, which was my first
major purchase when I left school; but I lost confidence in it a number of
years ago when I had to have the motor serviced and fixed. And it probably needs a service before I
can use it again. I also have the use
of the ‘family’ Singer sewing
machine; it’s one of those ancient hand-operated machines, and I wouldn’t be
without it for minor alterations and repair jobs. In fact it dates from 1918,
because I’ve checked the serial number against those listed on the Singer
website. I went for
a 4-mile walk this morning, setting out at 09:00. I was surprised there was a frost, but that
cleared quickly as temperatures rose.
And I can’t believe how awful the weather has turned this afternoon,
very wet and windy, but it was forecasted.
Menace
currently needs five horses to drop out of the bumper in order to get a run
at Lingfield Park on Wednesday. Mind you it may turn out to be academic, as
the racecourse might be water-logged by then and the meeting abandoned; for
you can’t have an all-weather bumper without a fixture! And I
almost forgot to mention that I’ve proofed and uploaded the diary about my
visit to meet Menace at White Shoot Stables last Sunday. Click here |
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Saturday 21 February 2015 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Kempton Park: Hollow
Penny (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Pendil
Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (5 ran). Godsmejudge (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th in the
BetBright Chase (Grade 3 Handicap) (14 ran). Rocky
Creek won the BetBright Chase; it was a race of
incident, with favourite Easter Day being pulled up early having blundered
badly, Fox Appeal unseated, as did Tap Night.
Only eight finished the race. More With Irish
Saint winning the Pendil Novices’ Chase, it became
a Paul Nicholls benefit day; and it was the 8th time he’d trained the winner
of this race in 10 years! More Chepstow: Laughingall Theway (Martin
Keighley/Conor Shoemark)
finished 5th in the Maiden NH Flat Race (Conditional Jockeys’ and Amateur
Riders) (9 ran). Meanwhile
Sire De Grugy cruised to an impressive victory over
inferior opposition at Chepstow, giving his rivals upwards of 20lbs in the
handicap event; but he could do no more than that. More There are
no runners of interest tomorrow. I have
decided that I shall knit ‘Laid Back
Larry’ the cuddly sloth: Although
the project may not get off the ground just yet, as I’ll be entering my
busiest website period in just over two weeks’ time! I have eight scheduled racing days to
attend and report upon before the end of the season! I’ve just
thought of something ... to get a head start, I can set up my templates
whilst I’m marking time ahead of the ‘action’
commencing on 10 March. I don’t
think the rain is due to arrive in the southeast until mid-afternoon
tomorrow, so I may go for a walk in the morning. But I won’t risk using my favourite route
through the local Further Education/Agricultural College to see the animals,
as it was reported in the local newspaper that a female was assaulted whilst
walking along the north driveway last month.
And that is part of the route I use.
I have been known to jog along the south driveway, even at my age,
because the road is surrounded by woodland and shrubs and I wish to get out
into the open as soon as possible. I
often see cyclists, people walking their dogs and groups of ramblers, but it
seems that it is not sensible for me to walk through the grounds alone at the
present time. |
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Friday 20 February 2015 |
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Warwick
was abandoned due to water-logging but here are today’s results from Exeter: Flementime (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler)
was a non-runner, Bull And Bush (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) was pulled up and
Mystery Drama (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished 4th in the Mares’ Handicap
Hurdle (6 ran). Salmanazar (Alan King/Denis O’Regan) won the Novices’ Limited
Handicap Chase (8 ran); so not only did he put in a clear round today but he
beat all his rivals to the winning post too! Three
runners of interest tomorrow: Kempton Park: 14:35
Hollow Penny (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Pendil
Novices’ Chase (Grade 2); I remember Pendil. 15:45 Godsmejudge (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – BetBright Chase (Grade 3 Handicap) Chepstow: 17:20 Laughingall Theway (Martin
Keighley/Conor Shoemark)
– Maiden NH Flat Race (Conditional Jockeys’ and Amateur Riders) Sire De Grugy will be the star attraction at Chepstow
tomorrow. More There are
hopes that More Of That might get the opportunity to defend his World Hurdle
crown after all. More Cheltenham
Festival winner and Grand National runner-up Sunnyhillboy,
having lost his zest for racing, has been retired. More And David
Cameron paid a visit to Newmarket today.
More I hope the Conservatives get back into
power ... otherwise we’ll be up the creek without a paddle yet again. It happens every time that other ghastly
incompetent rabble takes over! I’ve
nothing particular planned this weekend, apart from proof reading the diary
about my visit to see Menace. I enjoy
Friday evening TV at the moment ... ooooooooooo,
those lovely Musketeers! |
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Thursday 19 February 2015 |
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There are
a number of runners of interest tomorrow: Exeter: 14:50 Flementime (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler)
& Bull And Bush (Alan King/Denis O’Regan) &
Mystery Drama (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 16:50 Salmanazar (Alan King/Denis O’Regan)
– Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase; I hope he has better luck on that one than
Wayne! Perhaps it will be third time
lucky ... to get a clear round. Warwick: 17:10
Awesome Rosie (Alan King/Aidan Coleman) & Miss Crick (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race. Awesome
Rosie is a half-sister to Awesome George and Awesome Freddie; Awesome Aunt is
their mum. Cheltenham
Festival handicap entries have been made this week. Ned Stark, Carraig
Mor and Godsmejudge have
been entered in the Ultima Business Handicap Chase
on day one; although Alan King is just keeping all options open with regards
to Grand National hopeful Godsmejudge. Ordo Ab Chao has also been entered in the Coral Cup, but his
likely target is the Neptune. Gimme Five and Nyanza are Fred Winter entries. Handazan and The Tourard Man are entered for the Pertemps
Final. Grumeti
and Turn Over Sivola will hold entries in the Grand
Annual. But Alan has no entries in the
County Hurdle or the Kim Muir. I recall
Alan saying, during a TV interview, that they had to work The Tourard Man not long after his previous run because he
was getting ‘dangerous’ again! Menace has
been entered to run in a bumper on the all-weather at Lingfield
Park next Wednesday but, at present, there are 21 entries for a maximum 14
places in the race. There are rules
for balloting out horses if there are still too many nearer the time ... but
his qualification is point 4 on a list of 5, with 1 being the least likely to
lose out. So it is fingers crossed
until then, especially as this has been the long-term plan as his second run. Better
news regarding Kempton Park this coming Saturday however; there will still be
a few free tickets available on the gate ... but punters must arrive early to
claim them! Racing UK
subscribers have been sent two free tickets for a Kempton Park all-weather
fixture on Saturday 28 March 2015.
Almost no-one turns up to all-weather fixtures at the Sunbury track,
so I’m sure it won’t generate much interest.
I suppose if you only live locally it would be okay ... And if you
watch the Great British Sewing Bee and fancy making the 1950’s style ‘walkaway’ dress
featured on this week’s programme, then you need Butterick
pattern number 4790. Sadly dresses
aren’t my thing, as I’m two sizes bigger up top than on my bottom! But I have recently purchased five new
skirt patterns in styles which are so ‘me’. And hopefully it’s not too late to return
to an old hobby. |
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Wednesday 18 February 2015 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Doncaster: Elkstone (Alan King/Jack Doyle) finished 5th in the NH
Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (7 ran). Kerrow (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished 3rd in the
Standard Open NH Flat Race (12 ran). Ludlow: Dardenella (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs] (9 ran). Ronaldinho (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) fell at the fourth
flight during the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles] (13 ran). There’s
very sad news today; Burton Port suffered a fatal injury when he fell during
the veteran chase at Doncaster. Sad
times for the Jonjo O’Neill yard, as they also lost
At Reception at Wetherby yesterday. RIP both horses. Jason
Maguire picked up a 14-day suspension at Ludlow today; if upheld, it will
rule him out of the Cheltenham Festival.
More There’s
National Hunt racing at Huntingdon, Musselburgh and Sedgefield tomorrow but
no runners of interest. Noel
Williams has tweeted a photo of Menace and Authorized Too schooling today at Chris
King Eventing: https://twitter.com/noelwilliams03/status/568131874125688832/photo/1 |
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Tuesday 17 February 2015 |
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Here are
the results for my runners of interest at Taunton this afternoon: Avispa (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd and
Spellbound (Alan King/James Banks) finished 3rd in the Mares’ NH Novices’
Hurdle (13 ran). Ronaldinho (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) was a non-runner in
the Handicap Hurdle (2 miles 1 furlong) There are
a number of runners of interest tomorrow: Doncaster: 14:20 Elkstone (Alan King/Jack Doyle) – NH Novices’ Hurdle
(Qualifier) 16:55 Kerrow (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) – Standard Open NH Flat
Race Ludlow: 14:45 Dardenella (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle
[2 miles 5 furlongs] 16:15 Ronaldinho (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle
[2 miles] With the
Grand National weights being announced today, here are the reactions of a
number of trainers regarding their entries. More Darren
Bird has tweeted a cartoon to celebrate Pancake Day ... although,
technically, it’s Shrove Tuesday: https://twitter.com/DarrenBirdie/status/567765294341718017/photo/1 I managed
just three pancakes this evening, following an M&S vegetable bake. And I ate an entire box of Maltesers after lunch, which probably didn’t help ... |
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Monday 16 February 2015 |
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One runner
of interest at Lingfield Park this
afternoon, although the conditions were far from good despite the track
passing its inspection: Coyaba (Martin Keighley/Richard Johnson) finished 2nd
in the Maiden Hurdle (2 ran). Kumbeshwar ran at Carlisle, in a 2 miles 3½ furlong
Handicap Hurdle, but was pulled up.
He’s only 8, but I think he deserves to be retired. There are
three runners of interest tomorrow, at Taunton: 14:40 Avispa (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Spellbound
(Alan King/James Banks) – Mares’ NH Novices’ Hurdle 15:45 Ronaldinho (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle
(2 miles 1 furlong) Steve
Ayres tweeted a photo of Balder Succes chilling out
in the yard yesterday: https://twitter.com/orse_racing_lad/status/566909617519992832/photo/1 And
Champagne Fever photo-bombed his owner Rich Ricci during an ATR interview! And I’ve
uploaded photos of Menace and a number of his stable-mates, taken during
yesterday’s visit to Noel Williams’ yard in Blewbury. Click here |
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Sunday 15 February 2015 |
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As hoped,
I visited EPDS Racing’s Twitterati Syndicate horse,
Menace, today. He is trained by Noel
Williams, who spent 10 years as Assistant Trainer to Alan King, before
setting up his own yard in Blewbury a couple of
years ago. So he became a very
familiar face during my first few years as Choc’s
super-fan! Noel said
that Menace reminds him, in character and size, of Katchit! Katchit was 15.2
hands. He took all of today’s
attention in his stride, remaining calm at all times, but he is a little bit
mischievous hence the name! I did
stroke Menace, and he is a sweetie. The aim is
to run him in a second bumper at Lingfield Park
next week, after which he will probably go hurdling and will become a summer
jumper. Personally I’d love him to run
at Stratford, as I like Stratford but haven’t had a reason to go there in
recent seasons. I have
many photographs, and will write a diary too.
But here are four to begin with ... |
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Noel Williams with Menace |
Noel Williams with another EPDS
Syndicate horse - Kincora Fort ... otherwise
known as Brian! |
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Briery Queen ... who is probably the stable star. She finished 4th behind
Bitofapuzzle in a listed bumper at Cheltenham
last November. |
This is Chance Taken, she is a lovely, gentle-natured
mare and I spent a long time stroking
her! |
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One runner
of interest at Lingfield Park tomorrow;
subject to an 08:00 inspection. 15:50 Coyaba (Martin Keighley/Richard Johnson) – Maiden Hurdle There’s
sad news regarding a horse which used to be trained by Alan King named Mister
Chancer; he was pulled up injured during a Hunter
Chase at Fakenham on Friday and had to be put to
sleep. Choc rode him 8 times, but
never won aboard him; Wayne did win on him though, as did Jimmy
McCarthy. RIP Mister Chancer. |
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Saturday 14 February 2015 |
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It was
free entry at Ascot today to celebrate 50 years of jump racing at the
racecourse ... it would have been excellent value for money even if everyone
had paid to attend! There are
loads of freebies going on at present.
There’s currently free weekday entry to selected Jockey Club
racecourses for RUK subscribers; the two free tickets offered to me for
Sandown’s Imperial Cup day as mentioned yesterday; and Kempton Park were
offering free entry to next Saturday’s fixture and are now all sold out! It’s fortunate that, this year, I didn’t
need to make a last minute decision to attend that one! I do get
the feeling I’m missing out by only attending four fixtures so far this
winter ... but it’s just not the same without Choc. L Anyway,
here are today’s results for my runners of interest: Ascot: Balder Success (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) won the Ascot Chase (Grade 1) in excellent style (5 ran, Radjhani Express was a non-runner); Wayne’s 31st
winner of the
season. Two and a half miles (this was
2 miles and 5½ furlongs) is definitely Balder’s
forte, and Uxizandre’s too I feel. More Big Chief
Benny (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished last in the Standard Open NH Flat
Race (10 ran). And happy
retirement to Cappa Bleu who was retired following
his run at Ascot today. Although I
very rarely bet on the horses, I did twice win each way on the horse when he
ran in the Grand National! Wincanton: Friendly
Society (Noel Williams/James Banks) was pulled up in the Handicap Hurdle [2
miles 6 furlongs] (17 ran). Pride In
Battle (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished 10th in the Handicap Hurdle
(Qualifier) [2 miles 6 furlongs] (11 ran). Meanwhile,
at Haydock Park, popular veteran Lie Forrit won the Grand National Trial. More There were
a number of excellent photos of Balder Succes
tweeted today: A selfie of Balder Succes taken
by his lad, Steve Ayres: https://twitter.com/orse_racing_lad/status/566608479016992770/photo/1 In the
saddling boxes with Balder Succes and Ptit Zig: https://twitter.com/orse_racing_lad/status/566618485351251968/photo/1 A photo
from Racing UK: https://twitter.com/Racing_UK/status/566628854845161472/photo/1 A photo
tweeted by Ollie Wardle, Alan’s Assistant Trainer: https://twitter.com/WardleOllie/status/566629236732342272/photo/1 And
another from Racing UK: https://twitter.com/Racing_UK/status/566631264065978368/photo/1 Wayne with
his trophy: https://twitter.com/Channel4Racing/status/566631475454697473/photo/1 And Racing
Post’s picture of the day: https://twitter.com/RacingPost/status/566644411812302849/photo/1 There’s
racing at Market Rasen and Ffos
Las tomorrow, but no runners of interest.
I’m
currently being harried by my mobile phone provider because it’s almost time
to upgrade my contract and phone. My
current one is almost useless, as I cannot use the twitter app because
there’s not enough internal memory. So
my priority will be one which does ‘run’
twitter and, hopefully facebook too, without using
the internet option. My current plan is to
visit my local O2 shop to sort it out when I’m on leave the week after next
so, hopefully, everything will be sorted before Cheltenham. As
mentioned earlier in the week, I’m off to Blewbury
early tomorrow morning to visit the Twitterati
horse, Menace. J And I’ve
now completed and uploaded my Pogo Pandemonium diary. |
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Friday 13 February 2015 |
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Here are today’s
results for my runners of interest: Fakenham: Gone Too
Far (Alan King/AP McCoy) finished 2nd in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 5½
furlongs] (8 ran). Tiger Feat
(Alan King/Jack Doyle) finished 5th and King Louis (Alan King/Tom Bellamy)
finished last in the NH Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (7 ran). I was hoping the latter would do a bit
better than that! Lady
Persephone (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished 4th in the Mares’ Intermediate
Open NH Flat Race (7 ran). Sandown Park: Gabriella
Rose (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 9th in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
(Listed) (11 ran). The race was won by
Irish raider Uranna, trained by Willie Mullins and
ridden by Ruby Walsh. How annoying! And
congratulations to Guy Disney, who finished third today in the Royal
Artillery Gold Cup. Guy lost his lower
right leg when serving in Helmand Province and is the first person to ride
under Rules with a prosthetic leg. More There’s
National Hunt racing at Haydock Park, Ascot and
Wincanton tomorrow, with runners of interest at the latter two: Ascot: 15:50
Balder Success (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Ascot Chase (Grade 1); he has 5
rivals, namely Ballycasey, Ptit
Zig, Radjhani Express,
Theatre Guide and Ma Filleule. 16:50 Big
Chief Benny (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Standard Open NH Flat Race Wincanton: 13:20
Friendly Society (Noel Williams/James Banks) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 6
furlongs] 14:30
Pride In Battle (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) – Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) [2
miles 6 furlongs] My ATR
tracker works ... I’ve been notified that Balder Succes
and Big Chief Benny are to run tomorrow! Having
planned to give my undivided attention to Midsomer
Murders on Wednesday evening, I became sidetracked just before 21:00 having
seen an entry on facebook from Sandown Park. They are (or were) offering two tickets for
the price of one for their season’s finale on 25 April to the first 4,300+
people who booked. The exact number is
the number of career winners ridden so far by AP McCoy. So, as I was planning to go with my friend
Lesley anyway, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity of a bargain; although I
hadn’t planned to buy the tickets so early!
I wanted and have booked Premier Enclosure entry at £40 for two
tickets plus booking fee and delivery.
Wicked! And I’ve
just been offered two free tickets to Sandown Park’s Imperial Cup
fixture! However, having attended the
meeting in the past, I no longer go because the date is too close to the
beginning of the Cheltenham Festival ... and I can’t cope with that! Sky
Calling is now a mummy; she gave birth to a colt foal by Sulamani
yesterday. |
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Thursday 12 February 2015 |
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There are
two results today: Leicester: Desert Joe (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase [2 miles 7½
furlongs] (5 ran); Wayne’s 30th winner of the season. Fontwell Park: Kincora Fort (Noel Williams/James Banks) finished 6th in
the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs] (13 ran). The AP
show moves on to Fakenham tomorrow: 14:50 Gone
Too Far (Alan King/AP McCoy) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 5½ furlongs] 15:25
Tiger Feat (Alan King/Jack Doyle) & King Louis (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) –
NH Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) 16:35 Lady
Persephone (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) – Mares’ Intermediate Open NH Flat Race Sandown Park: 14:30
Gabriella Rose (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Listed) It will be
interesting to see how King Louis gets on, as he finished 5th narrowly ahead
of Menace in a Lingfield bumper early last
month. Holywell returned to winning ways at Kelso today and will
now head to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, all being well. More Following
his disappointing run in the Chatteris Fen Juvenile
Hurdle, Chatez has undergone a wind operation – his
soft palate has been cauterised. They
now intend to go back to racing him on the flat for the time being and, if he
gets over his surgery in time, he may run in the Lincoln Handicap. There was
an article about Tom Bellamy in this week’s Weekender. Tom explains that he badly broke his leg in
April 2013 when riding for the David Pipe team. Then, when he returned to action in the
autumn of that year, he got back in touch with Alan King, whom he had ridden
out for when he was still at school. Tom knew
that Alan didn’t have a conditional jockey at the time and saw that the
trainer had a horse entered in a conditionals’ race, so he rang up and left a
message. Alan called back to say he’d
be happy for Tom to ride and he finished second. After that he decided to ride out for the
yard, and got a few rides too. At the end
of the season he had a chat with Choc, who asked how things were going for
him at the Pipe’s. Tom told him that,
although he was enjoying it, he didn’t feel he was going anywhere because
there were so many jockeys at the same level and it was tough to get a
break. So he made the move the Alan’s
yard. Tom has
already reached his original season’s goal of 15 winners, a career best, from
nearly 100 rides and has now upped it to 20.
His aim is to ride a festival winner. |
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Wednesday 11 February 2015 |
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Just one
result today, from Chepstow: Bulfin Island (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd
in the Maiden Hurdle Div II (12 ran). Tomorrow
there are two runners of interest: Leicester: 14:40
Desert Joe (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase [2
miles 7½ furlongs] Fontwell Park: 15:50 Kincora Fort (Noel Williams/James Banks) – Handicap
Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs] Here is Uxizandre’s Newbury unseat from a different perspective: https://twitter.com/AtTheRaces/status/565238032752578560/photo/1 Uxizandre is fine, but the unseating confused issues for
the trainer with regards to his intended Cheltenham Festival target. He will be left in both the Ryanair and the Champion chases, but Alan thinks that the
horse is more likely to run in the former than the latter. I’ve
finished and uploaded my Cheltenham Trials Day diary; all I need to
do now is to proof read Pogo Pandemonium and everything will be up-to-date
once more ... or at least it will be until Sunday when, all being well, I’ll
be paying a visit to see the Twitterati syndicate
horse Menace. And I shall report back! Tonight I
shall watch Celebrity Great British Bake Off, plus Midsomer
Murders on ITV+1, tomorrow night The Great British Sewing Bee and, on Friday,
the Musketeers are back. J But I’m still
hoping to fit in my proof reading around this or, if not, on Saturday
morning. |
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Tuesday 10 February 2015 |
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Day One of
the Cheltenham Festival will be done and dusted in four weeks’ time! There were
two runners of interest this afternoon, at Ffos Las: Always Bold (Martin Keighley/Conor Smith) won the Handicap Hurdle [3 miles] (8 ran);
Martin’s 15th winner of the season. Bravo Bravo (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) finished 3rd in the Conditional Jockeys’
Handicap Hurdle (11 ran). Ugly Bug
ran in the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, but unseated. I’ve now
set up a number of horses on my ATR tracker – not for betting purposes, but
just because I like them – including Ugly Bug! Tomorrow
there is just one runner of interest, at Chepstow: 14:55 Bulfin Island (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Maiden
Hurdle Div II I’ve had a
good day’s leave, and probably walked more than 6 miles too! I took my car to be serviced at 07:45 this
morning but, instead of walking home via the quickest route which is probably
half a mile, I went on a long detour of around 2 miles. I got a lift to my doctor’s surgery but
walked home, another 3 miles, then later went to collect my car ... via the
local supermarket to collect a prescription!
It has done me good, as I was a little creaky and sluggish during my
Sunday morning walk, and again yesterday when I walked to and from the
dentist. Today was far better and I
feel pretty good for it. Maybe I
should re-join the Ramblers Association and the Chiltern Society to take part
in long countryside walks during the summer months; although I would need to
buy a new pair of walking boots. And the
excellent news is that the car service and MOT cost just £56 in excess
charges because I pay a monthly sum into a service plan! And they cleaned and valeted
my car this year, which they are supposed to do as part of the deal. I’m sure they didn’t do it last year, but
it wasn’t uppermost in my mind as I had flu and a temperature at the time; I
was just pleased they delivered my car back to me, rather than me go collect
it. It’s back
to work tomorrow, but I still have two more days which I need to take before
the end of the month. |
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Monday 09 February 2015 |
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Today
there were a number of runners of interest at Plumpton and this is how they fared: Our Phylli Vera (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th in
the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs] (8 ran). Roberto Pegasus (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (7 ran);
Wayne’s 29th winner of the
season. Dueling Banjos (Martin Keighley/Conor
Shoemark) finished 2nd and King Kayf
(Noel Williams/James Banks) finished 5th in the Standard Open NH Flat Race
(10 ran). There are
two runners of interest tomorrow, at Ffos Las: 15:25
Always Bold (Martin Keighley/Conor Smith) –
Handicap Hurdle [3 miles] 17:05
Bravo Bravo (Martin Keighley/Conor
Shoemark) – Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle If you’ve
not caught up with Martin’s blog during the past few days, you won’t know
that he had an accident on his quad bike on the gallops on Friday; he
fractured a number of ribs and broke a collarbone in 3 places too. He returned to hospital today to find out
if a plate can be inserted to speed up the healing process at this crucial
time of the National Hunt season. Talking of
injuries, following yesterday’s fall and journey to hospital in the Devon Air
Ambulance, Hadden Frost thanked the medics and his
friends, and will be donating 20% of all his February proceeds to the service
– as well as still riding the occasional racehorse, he makes leather
accessories and bridles - HJF Saddlery. Al Ferof has been forced to miss his intended engagement at
Ascot this weekend, and also the Cheltenham Festival due to an
operation. More I slept in
a little bit this morning, as my appointment at the dentist was not until
10:30. I walked there, the filling
took around 40 minutes to replace, although I was £90 less well off at the
end as my dentist is a private practice.
But I really don’t know why anyone is frightened of basic dentistry,
such as fillings, because you barely feel a thing these days! They put a numbing gel on the gum so you
hardly feel the needle, it works very quickly and I didn’t feel a single
thing as the old filling was drilled out.
As my
credit card has refused to be read by a card-reader on a couple of recent
occasions, including at the dentist, I popped in the bank intending to order
a replacement ... but found I didn’t have the patience to wait for long, as
all the advisors were busy and there were 3 people in the queue ahead of me
despite it not being lunchtime yet. So
I walked home and did it via the phone instead. Whilst I
was walking to the dentist I received a call from an unknown St Albans
number, so I phoned that too; it was my car dealership’s service centre just
checking that I was taking my car in for a service and MOT tomorrow. Yes I am.
As it was then almost midday, I decided to delay my visit to the M
& S store in London Colney until after lunch in
order to avoid the busy lunch time traffic during that period. Having eaten lunch I spent an hour drafting
another section of my Cheltenham diary.
I was
given £40 of M & S vouchers for Christmas and what I wanted was a black
suit-style jacket. However, they seemed
to have everything except what I wished to look at! They didn’t have the black jacket I’d seen
online; and only a single jacket in another style I liked, in green, in size
12. I wouldn’t even get one boob into
that, let alone two! So I didn’t spend
my vouchers, but I did purchase a triple pack of 40 denier tights – grey,
black and purple – oh how I wish they sold a solely purple triple pack! And a scarf – blue with bunnies on it – as
if I don’t have enough scarves in my collection! Anyway,
when I got home I ordered a mauve jacket online, like the aforementioned
green one, but in my size. I’ll need
to get up in good time tomorrow as I’ve booked my car in for 08:00, because
originally it was to be a workday. And, this
evening, I completed the final draft of my Cheltenham Festival Trials Day
diary. Yippee. So all I need to do now is proof-read and
upload it. Perhaps a task for tomorrow
afternoon. I’ve already drafted the
Pogo Pandemonium diary but, again, need to proof read it. |
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Sunday 08 February 2015 |
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It was an
afternoon of thrills and spills at Exeter.
There was a pile-up in the NH Novices’ Hurdle, with Daryl Jacob and
Sam Twiston-Davies being stood down; Matt Griffiths
was okay and rode later in the afternoon.
Hadden Frost was airlifted to hospital
following a fall in the home straight during the same race, with worries that
he’d suffered a back injury.
Fortunately tests showed he was okay, although presumably very
battered and bruised. Sadly a fatality
too, again in the same race, with one of the runners breaking his off-hind on
the flat. Outsider Sarenice reared over backwards in the Parade Ring ahead
of the Novices’ Chase; he went to the start but was then withdrawn. And, finally, Doris De Silver dumped her
jockey on the way to the start of the bumper.
She took part, momentarily, before behaving like a bucking bronco to
fire her jockey into the air once more; poor James Best! I love
veteran chases; there was a well supported qualifier for the season finale,
with 14 runners today. It was won by Soll, who is now trained by David Pipe. It is such a pity there is no veteran chase
at the Cheltenham Festival. The Tourard Man (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in
the Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Qualifier) [2 miles
7½ furlongs], behind two JP McManus-owned runners (11 ran). As
surmised, Miss Minx was a non-runner in the Intermediate Open NH Flat Race as
she ran at Bangor on Friday. Tomorrow
there are a number of runners of interest at Plumpton: 15:20 Our Phylli Vera (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap
Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs] 15:50
Roberto Pegasus (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Limited Handicap
Chase 16:50 Dueling Banjos (Martin Keighley/Conor
Shoemark) & King Kayf
(Noel Williams/James Banks) – Standard Open NH Flat Race Choc
tweeted a photograph of Medermit enjoying the
sunshine from his box: https://twitter.com/Choc_Thornton/status/564462995460616192/photo/1 And also a
couple of photographs of him with his yearlings: https://twitter.com/Choc_Thornton/status/564463602271518721/photo/1 And,
following AP’s retirement announcement, Choc decided to remind the Champ that
it was a pleasure to occasionally beat him; he’s pictured here winning the
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2008 aboard Captain Cee Bee, AP is aboard Binocular. https://twitter.com/Choc_Thornton/status/564473626834255873/photo/1 Here is a
photograph showing Uxizandre’s final fence mishap
at Newbury yesterday: https://twitter.com/orse_racing_lad/status/564161695606898689/photo/1 I seem to
be procrastinating and have arrived at tea-time without working on my
Cheltenham Trials Day diary so far today.
I went for a walk after breakfast, about 3 miles in distance, thinking
I’d got plenty of time but don’t seem to have accomplished anything since; a
very poor effort on my part, because I got up at 06:30 this morning! Oh well,
I’m on leave until Wednesday, so should find the time during the next two
days; with just a dentist appointment tomorrow for a filling replacement, and
a doctor’s appointment on Tuesday, plus getting my car serviced. |
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Saturday 07 February 2015 |
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AP McCoy announces that he will be retiring at the end of this season
AP pictured aboard At Fishers Cross, winner of
the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Hurdle at the Cheltenham
Festival in 2013 Having
ridden his 200th winner of the season at Newbury, when Mr Mole won the ‘Game Spirit’ chase against the odds,
AP decided that he’d announce his season-end retirement. More And many
people within the racing industry have paid tribute to the Champ, following
the announcement. More It’s not
really a surprise, as he is rising 41 and cannot go on forever. I’m looking forward to someone new having
the opportunity to be Champion Jumps Jockey! Uttoxeter passed its first inspection, Warwick its second
one, so we have a full-house of results today: Newbury: Winner Massagot (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 10th in
the Novices’ Hurdle (13 ran). Araldur (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the
Handicap Hurdle [3 miles & ½ a furlong] (11 ran); Bygones Sovereign made
all to win by 28 lengths! Uxizandre (Alan King/Barry Geraghty)
unseated at the last when booked for 2nd place in the Grade 2 Chase
(registered as the Game Spirit) (5 ran).
I wonder if he was slightly put off by the loose Sire De Grugy, who was upsides at the time. Wishing
And Hoping (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th in the Standard Open NH
Flat Race [Listed] (11 ran). Novice Coneygree put his rivals to the sword in the Denman
Chase, winning impressively. More After the
disappointment following Sire De Grugy’s departure
3 out in the ‘Game Spirit’, Gary
Moore trained the winner of the valuable Betfair
Hurdle with Violet Dancer, ridden by youngest son Josh. Top weight Sign Of A Victory was a
non-runner due to lameness. More |
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Violet
Dancer pictured at the Cheltenham
Showcase 2014; here
ridden by Jamie Moore |
Coneygree pictured at Kempton Park on Boxing
Day ahead of his victory in the
Grade 1 Novices’ Chase |
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Warwick: Springboks
(Alan King/Jack Doyle) finished 7th and Chance Taken (Noel Williams/James
Banks) finished 9th in the Novices’ Hurdle (10 ran). Turn Over Sivola (Alan King/Denis O’Regan)
finished 3rd in the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (5 ran); the race was
won impressively by Vibrato Valtat. More Castle
Cheetah (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark)
was pulled up and Krackatoa King (Noel
Williams/James Banks) finished 3rd in the Handicap Hurdle [3 miles 2
furlongs] (11 ran). Smart
Motive (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles]
(8 ran); the race was won by Temlett, an
11-year-old which hadn’t run for 1106 days, and is trained by Richard
Phillips. In fact the horse has barely
run since April 2008 (March 2011, June 2012 and today) and was previously
based in Ireland. Uttoxeter: Seymour
Star (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 5th
in the Maiden Hurdle (10 ran). Spanish
Arch (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 2nd
in the Handicap Chase [3 miles] (7 ran). There is
National Hunt racing at Exeter tomorrow: 14:25 The Tourard Man (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap
Hurdle (Pertemps Qualifier) [2 miles 7½ furlongs] 16:30 Miss
Minx holds an entry in the Intermediate Open NH Flat Race but is listed as
doubtful – she ran yesterday at Bangor On Dee. There’s
news that sidelined jockey Brian Toomey hopes to return to race riding, with
neurosurgeons saying that there is no reason why he shouldn’t. More They say that jockeys
are a little bit crazy ... I guess I
should book the tickets in good time for the season finale at Sandown Park –
as AP’s final race-day ought to draw a very big crowd! I shall make a mental note to do so in a
couple of weeks’ time; I’ve arranged to go with Lesley. |
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Friday 06 February 2015 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Kempton Park: Hurricane
Vic (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 7th but Pattara
(Noel Williams/Gerald Tumelty) fell in the Novices’
Handicap Hurdle (17 ran). Salmanazar (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) unseated at the
first in the Handicap Chase [3 miles] (9 ran) ... unbelievable ... although
he did appear to be slightly unsighted on this occasion! Midnight
Cowboy (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Maiden Open NH Flat
Race Div I (13 ran). The Unit
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the Maiden Open NH Flat Race Div
II (14 ran). Bangor On Dee: Miss Minx
(Alan King/Brendan Powell) finished 5th in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (9
ran). There are
many runners of interest tomorrow; Newbury will be okay, but the other two
are subject to morning inspections: Newbury: 13:15
Winner Massagot (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Novices’ Hurdle 13:50 Araldur (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [3
miles & ½ a furlong] 15:00 Uxizandre (Alan King/Barry Geraghty)
– Chase (registered as Game Spirit) (Grade 2); Sire De Grugy
makes his comeback in this race. 16:10 Salmanazar (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Chase
... really? He would have only two
rivals, although one of those is Kings Palace. I suppose it depends how he is, following
his abortive run today. 16:40
Wishing And Hoping (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Standard Open NH Flat Race
[Listed] There’s a
good line-up for the Denman Chase – namely Harry Topper, Unioniste,
Double Ross, Houblon Des Obeaux,
Coneygree and Taquin Du Seuil. And, of
course, there’s also the highly competitive Betfair
Hurdle. Warwick: 13:00
Springboks (Alan King/Jack Doyle) & Chance Taken (Noel Williams/James
Banks) – Novices’ Hurdle 14:05 Turn
Over Sivola (Alan King/Denis O’Regan)
– Kingmaker Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 15:15
Castle Cheetah (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) & Krackatoa King
(Noel Williams/James Banks) – Handicap Hurdle [3 miles 2 furlongs] 16:25
Smart Motive (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles] Uttoxeter: 13:40 Seymour
Star (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Maiden
Hurdle 15:25
Spanish Arch (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) –
Handicap Chase [3 miles] It looks
like an excellent day’s racing at Newbury tomorrow. I really should go but, after my adventures
a couple of weeks ago when I spent so much time going round and round in
circles just outside the racecourse, I think I’ve developed an aversion! As you can imagine I’m so looking forward
to the new bridge over the railway being built, as it will allow far better
access from the Hambridge Road. Besides,
my neck and shoulders have been particularly bad since my dual excursion a
couple of weeks ago ... I just hope I can survive 800 miles of driving during
Cheltenham week! I’ve even started
taking cod liver oil capsules in the hope they will help me. And I’m sure the cold weather has an
adverse affect too. But I will
have an excursion on Sunday week; I’m going on a stable visit arranged for
the Twitterati syndicate to meet our racehorse,
Menace, at Noel Williams’ yard in Blewbury,
Oxfordshire! |
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Thursday 05 February 2015 |
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Here are
today’s results from Huntingdon for my runners of
interest: Midnight
Appeal (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [2
miles & 4½ furlongs] (9 ran). Chatez (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) was pulled up in
the Chatteris Fen Juvenile Hurdle (6 ran). Angel Face (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) won and Martha McCandles
(Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished 7th in the Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race
(12 ran); it was Wayne’s 28th winner of the season, as he also won earlier in the
afternoon aboard Catching On for Jonjo
O’Neill. Tomorrow
there are National Hunt fixtures at Newcastle (subject to an inspection at
08:00), Kempton Park (also subject to an inspection at 08:00), and Bangor On
Dee. Kempton Park: 14:30
Hurricane Vic (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) and Pattara
(Noel Williams/Gerald Tumelty) – Novices’ Handicap
Hurdle 15:35 Salmanazar (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Chase
[3 miles]; I hope the horse’s jumping is better than last time at Leicester! 16:10
Midnight Cowboy (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Maiden Open NH Flat Race Div I 16:40 The
Unit (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Maiden Open NH Flat Race Div II Bangor On Dee: 16:20 Miss
Minx (Alan King/Brendan Powell) – Standard Open NH Flat Race With Ned
Stark having been raised by 6lb to a rating of 143, Alan King feels the horse
will probably run in the Ultima Business Solutions
Handicap Chase on Day One of the Festival.
And it is his yard’s sponsor too.
Present
View has been sidelined by injury and will not race again until next season. More Tomorrow
was supposed to be a day’s leave for me, but I’m now going to take next
Tuesday in addition to Monday as holiday, because it fits in better with
appointments I’ve booked. Many happy
returns of the day to my niece Lydia, who is 22 today. |
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Wednesday 04 February 2015 |
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Tomorrow’s
fixture at Doncaster has been abandoned, Taunton inspects at 07:00 but no
runners of interest. However, Huntingdon inspects
at 08:00, and there are four runners of interest: 14:25 Midnight
Appeal (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 4½
furlongs]. The horse reverts to
hurdles in an attempt to get confidence back because Alan is currently
disappointed with his jumping. 15:35 Chatez (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Chatteris
Fen Juvenile Hurdle 16:40
Angel Face (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Martha McCandles
(Alan King/Tom Bellamy) – Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race Dynaste will miss the Cheltenham Festival having been
ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injury. More There are
currently 98 entries for this year’s Grand National. More And
there’s news in Alan King’s Weekender column that Midnight Prayer won’t run
again this season. The
retired Medermit is now an inmate at Choc’s new bloodstock yard; he’s being well looked after
whilst he recovers from the injury sustained at Doncaster last month. Isn’t that nice? |
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Tuesday 03 February 2015 |
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The cold
weather has set in and again, tomorrow, there is no National Hunt
racing. There was
a little bit of snow overnight in St Albans, our most so far this winter, but
it still wasn’t anything of note and soon disappeared! Here is an
extremely cute picture of donkeys and alpacas in the snow: https://twitter.com/EnglishRoseManc/status/562681690519515136/photo/1 Wayne Hutchinson
will be taking part in a Cheltenham Preview in aid of the Injured Jockeys’
Fund. It will be held at Oaksey House in Lambourn on
Wednesday 04 March; also in attendance will be John Francome,
Simon Clare, Nicky Henderson and Jonathan Powell. |
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Sunday 01 February 2015 |
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There are
no runners of interest tomorrow. Here is a
further overview of yesterday’s win by Ned Stark at Wetherby. More The final
paragraph in the initial ATR report stated: King was represented by his
sidelined jockey Robert Thornton, who said: "He's a progressive horse.
We'll go home and discuss plans with Alan." So with
Choc attending Wetherby yesterday to oversee the
Dunkley & Reilly runner, I’m wondering if he’ll be at the Cheltenham
Festival to do the same. Ned Stark
holds an entry in Day Two’s RSA Chase or may go for one of the handicap
chases. Here’s hoping, fingers
crossed. And I guess he may even walk
the course ahead of racing with jockey Denis O’Regan. So my Choc radar will have to be brought
into action at the Festival after all because, as always, I’d love to see
him. Y And
there’s also another Dunkley & Reilly horse – The Pirate’s Queen – she
has an entry in the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle on Day One. You may
have read about the ‘Twitterati’
racehorse ownership syndicate which is being set up by EPDS Racing’s John
Powell. Up to 140 shares have been
offered at a cost of just £15 per month (I can afford that), for 12 months,
and the horse representing the syndicate is 4-year-old chestnut gelding
Menace. He’s got three white socks and
a star with the beginnings of a stripe on his face. Also, he’s trained by no less than Noel
Williams, who was Alan King’s Assistant Trainer before he set up his own
yard. And,
you’ve guessed it, I’ve applied for one of those
racehorse shares! So you never know, if my name comes out of the hat for an owner’s race-day
badge (or whatever method of selection is decided) I may yet find myself with
a group of others within the Parade Ring for one of Menace’s races! I understand there will also be the
opportunity to visit Noel’s yard at Blewbury near Didcot. I’ve been
out for most of today, visiting family, but yesterday I spent time topping
and tailing my Cheltenham Trials Day diary draft and I also uploaded the
photos I took at the fixture. Click the
following links to view. Photos - Cheltenham Festival Trials Day Races 1 & 2 Photos - Cheltenham Festival Trials Day Race 3 Photos - Cheltenham Festival Trials Day Race 4 – Annacotty’s
win Photos - Cheltenham Festival Trials Day Races 5, 6 & 7 |
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