FEBRUARY 2018
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Wednesday
28 February 2018 |
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There was
no result to report from Catterick on Monday, as the fixture was abandoned due to the freezing weather
conditions. |
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Monday
26 February 2018 |
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One runner
of interest today, at Ayr, and this is how he
fared: Bingo D’Olivate (Gemma Anderson/Adam Nicol) fell during the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles] (10
ran); I hope he’s okay. Just one
runner of interest tomorrow, at Catterick: 14:40 Jamacho (Brian Ellison/Henry Brooke/raised by Apple Tree
Stud) – Maiden Hurdle Here are a
couple of lovely photos of the ill-fated Ubak: https://mobile.twitter.com/joshmoore91/status/967856050958426112/photo/1 https://mobile.twitter.com/mjyharris/status/967882500197486593/photo/1 I
understand that the quirky Pilgrims Bay passed away recently, following a
rare infection. RIP And a
photograph of Arabian Queen, former winner of the Juddemonte
International, with her Frankel foal; a colt: https://mobile.twitter.com/Ascot/status/968030875089764353/photo/1 Ryan Hatch
has announced his retirement from race-riding, upon the advice of
doctors. Here’s wishing him every
success in his new endeavours. As I write
this evening’s blog, the ‘Beast from
the East’ hasn’t arrived in West Hertfordshire yet ... if the forecasters
have got it right, the heavier snowfalls scheduled for tonight and tomorrow
will pass to the north and to the south of my area. I don’t think we will be so fortunate on
Thursday and Friday. |
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Sunday
25 February 2018 |
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Very
sadly, Ubak was pulled up during today’s National
Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell Park, having gone ‘badly wrong’. RIP poor boy.
RIP Ubak The race
was won by Old Guard, today ridden by Harry Cobden; Lil Rockerfeller
was the runner-up. Here’s the
weekend round-up for my runners of interest: Kempton
Park: Criq Rock (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished 5th,
Morning Herald (Martin Keighley/Tom Bellamy) finished 11th, Awesome Rosie
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 6th, and My Charity (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 8th in the Handicap Hurdle [2
miles 5 furlongs] (14 ran). The Unit
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Pendil
Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (4 ran); he was no match for Cyrname
having made numerous jumping errors ... and that was despite the fact that
the Paul Nicholls-trained runner almost unseated Sean Bowen four out having
cleared the fence far too extravagantly! Redicean (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson/Apple Tree Stud) won the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (7
ran). Alan’s 53rd winner of the season and Wayne’s 41st winner of the season. Carntop (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 9th,
Scarlet Dragon (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd and Ballywood (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished last in the
Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (10 ran). Label Des Obeaux (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 8th in the
Handicap Chase (Grade 3) [ 3 miles] (15 ran). Kayf Blanco (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) finished 2nd in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 4 furlongs & 110
yards] (8 ran). Brigade Of
Guards (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th in the Standard Open NH Flat
Race (9 ran); I liked the winner, the Paul Nicholls-trained Danny Kirwan. The latter
is expected to head to Aintree for their bumper. Chepstow: Salmanazar (Alan King/Adrian Heskin)
finished 4th in the Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Qualifier)
[2 miles 7 furlongs & 131 yards] (11 ran). Mister
Valentine (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished last in the Maiden NH Flat
Race (Conditional Jockeys & Amateur Riders) (12 ran). And
today’s results for my runners of interest: Southwell: Weyburn (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler)
finished 4th in the Handicap Chase [1 mile 7 furlongs & 153 yards] (5
ran). Hollywood
All Star (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) was pulled
up in the Selling Handicap Hurdle (10 ran). Cranbrook Causeway (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) was pulled up in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 209
yards] (14 ran). Richie
Valentine (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 7th in the Standard Open NH
Flat Race (8 ran). Fontwell Park: The Unit
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) was a non-runner in the Novices’ Chase, having
run at Kempton Park yesterday. One runner
of interest tomorrow, at Ayr, and subject to a
08:00 inspection: 16:55
Bingo D’Olivate (Gemma
Anderson/Adam Nicol) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles] Connections
have decided that Cue Card will go for the Ryanair
Chase at the Cheltenham Festival; good call. As I
probably expected, Choc attended Kempton Park yesterday J ... but of course I didn’t. L He was interviewed on RUK before Redicean’s race and after the race by ITV Racing. Since the beginning of the year, and until
the past couple of weeks, I’ve not felt confident enough to venture out to
the races alone, having experienced a number of ‘strange’ symptoms over the past few weeks. My current dilemma is the amount of time I
can stand up for before my pelvis begins to complain and I start to feel
unwell. And
goodness knows what is going to happen this week, with regards to heavy
snowfall. I certainly don’t fancy
having to walk upon icy pavements whilst already suffering from a fragile
pelvis. L But the good news is that I now have an
appointment for an x-ray. |
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Friday
23 February 2018 |
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Happy Birthday Wolfie! Jennie and
Choc’s little boy, Wolfie,
celebrates his first birthday today.
That’s fitting, there’s one candle on the clipart cake! Oh wow ...
my results from today were as good as they could possible get ... with three
winners and a second; the second was in a race where my other ‘runner of interest’ won! So that’s nine winners in the past three
days ... with honours spread around – Alan King (x3), Martin Keighley, Jamie
Snowden, Graeme McPherson (x2), Noel Williams and also my syndicate horse,
Galactic Power, for Robin Dickin! And to think, I don’t even bet!!! Anyway,
here are those Friday results for those runners of interest: Warwick: Jaboticaba (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd and Doctor Bartolo (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) won the Juvenile Hurdle
(11 ran); Alan’s 51st winner of the season. Midnightreferendum (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (12 ran); Alan’s 52nd
winner of the
season and Wayne’s
40th winner of the
season. Exeter: Kalahari Queen (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) won the Mares’
Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) (8 ran); Jamie’s 27th winner of the season. Jamie has already surpassed last year’s
winners total, which I believe was 25.
With the
weather threatening to close in early next week, with freezing temperatures
rolling in from Siberia, Saturday is going to be a busy day for runners of
interest – there are 14 to track on the tracks: Kempton
Park: 13:15 Criq Rock (Alan King/Tom Cannon) & Morning Herald
(Martin Keighley/Tom Bellamy) & Awesome Rosie (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) & My Charity (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs]; it’s My Charity’s handicap
debut. 13:50 The
Unit (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Pendil Novices’
Chase (Grade 2) 14:25 Redicean (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson/Apple Tree Stud) –
Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) 15:00 Carntop (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) & Scarlet
Dragon (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Ballywood
(Alan King/Tom Cannon) – Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 15:35
Label Des Obeaux (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Handicap Chase (Grade 3) [ 3 miles] 16:10 Kayf Blanco (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 4 furlongs & 110 yards] 16:45
Brigade Of Guards (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Standard Open NH Flat Race Chepstow: 15:40 Salmanazar (Alan King/Adrian Heskin)
– Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Qualifier) [2 miles 7
furlongs & 131 yards] 17:20
Mister Valentine (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Maiden NH Flat Race
(Conditional Jockeys & Amateur Riders); there’s a horse named ‘Pemberley’ in
this one. And on Sunday: Southwell: 14:00 Weyburn (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler)
– Handicap Chase [1 mile 7 furlongs & 153 yards] 16:05
Hollywood All Star (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods)
– Selling Handicap Hurdle 15:35 Cranbrook Causeway (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 209 yards] 17:05
Richie Valentine (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Standard Open NH Flat Race Fontwell Park: 14:20 The
Unit (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Chase; also entered at Kempton
Park on Saturday. Weirdly,
it didn’t feel all that cold to me today; it was only 2oC when I
went out this morning and didn’t get any higher than 4oC during my
excursion. I went to the city centre
shops, to the supermarket and to Dunelms. I’d normally walk to city centre (and enjoy
it) but I drove today, bearing in mind the further I walk, the worse my
pelvis symptoms become. Never let
me loose in Boots, Superdrug or the shower-gel aisle of the supermarket
(having visited the latter two today), as I can’t resist sniffing and often
buying new fragrances of shower-gel.
At the moment, my absolute favourite shower-gel is Imperial Leather
Foamy Banana Shower Cream ... but it still doesn’t prevent me buying
others! I love to
look around Dunelms, and it took me ages to decide
upon a cushion and a cover. I always
end up with ‘rustic’ slub-effect fabric covers; today it was a teal coloured
print, featuring mirror-image cockatoos!
The cushion itself contains duck-down.
The robin
or robins have been collecting leaves, presumably for use as future nesting
materials; they have been piled up in a heap within the carport – and it’s
not the breeze which has caused this.
The robin has been spotted in the shed/garage on a regular basis, but
doesn’t seem to be building a nest inside yet; besides it’s far too early in
the year for that. Just so long as
they don’t build their nest on the ladder which is secured to the wall beside
my car - that’s happened before, a number of years ago. They did begin building a nest on the
ladder early last year, but I removed that; I don’t want bird poo damaging the paintwork on my little Fiesta. I wish I
felt fit enough to go to Kempton ... I still get spells when my pelvis aches,
despite resting as much as I can; it happened when I was queuing to pay in Dunelms today – it makes me feel a little nauseous
too. Mind you, my foot was hurting
also, for more or less the entire time I was out and about today. I don’t like this old age thing ... if only
I could have ‘broken down’ in May,
when it wouldn’t have been so disruptive. L I’m
currently waiting for an appointment for an x-ray; earlier scans having found
nothing which would account for my symptoms.
Should it be a stress fracture, it may need an MRI scan to officially
diagnose the problem. Although as time
goes by, presumably it will be healing if I continue to take it easier than
usual. |
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Thursday
22 February 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest at Huntingdon ... and 2
further winners! Red Admirable (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) won the
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs & 145 yards] (14 ran). Diva Du Maquis (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 6th in
the Novices’ Hurdle (15 ran). Kincora Fort (Noel Williams/Wayne
Hutchinson) won the
Handicap Chase [2 miles 3 furlongs & 189 yards] (8 ran); the Racing Post
race notes state that he ‘jumped
beautifully’! Noel’s 6th winner of the season and Wayne’s 39th winner of the season. Voie Dans Voie (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd and Touch
Of Velvett (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) finished 5th in the Maiden Hurdle (8 ran). Here are
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Warwick: 14:25 Jaboticaba (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Doctor Bartolo (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) – Juvenile Hurdle 17:10 Midnightreferendum (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ Standard
Open NH Flat Race Exeter: 15:40
Kalahari Queen (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle
(Qualifier) Today was
my ‘Friday’ but I have nothing
planned for the weekend, as I’m still on self-imposed ‘box rest’ ahead of the Cheltenham Festival! I think I
may have to buy myself a very soft cushion to place on my car seat, as
sitting on unforgiving surfaces for too long makes my pelvis ache. I bought a cushion to sit on at work, and
my pelvis definitely aches far less often when I’m sitting at my PC. I also sit on an Oxford pillow plus a
squidgy cushion when occupying my favourite armchair and it works
wonders! Even sitting to write my
daily blogs makes my pelvis ache! L |
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Wednesday
21 February 2018 |
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Winners, winners, chicken dinners
... including my Twitterati
Racing Club horse, Galactic Power J Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Doncaster: Canelo (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won, Mystical Clouds (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished
3rd and Oscar World (Martin Keighley/Aidan Coleman) finished 6th in the NH
Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (12 ran); Alan’s 50th winner of the season and Wayne’s 38th winner of the season. Buckle Street (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) won the Handicap Hurdle
(Qualifier) [3 miles & 84 yards] (13 ran); Martin’s 21st winner of the season. Sego
Success (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the Handicap Chase
(Veterans’ Series Leg 2) (12 ran). Sammylou (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) finished last in the Standard Open NH Flat Race Div I (9 ran). Smith’s
Bay (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th and Daydream Aulmes (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) won the Standard Open NH Flat Race Div II (9 ran);
when I visited the yard in October, Graeme mentioned that he thought a lot of
his charge! Ludlow: Devil’s
Drop (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished 3rd in the Maiden Hurdle (10 ran). Monbeg Theatre (Jamie Snowden/Miss Page Fuller)
finished 2nd and Galactic Power (Robin Dickin/Jack
Quinlan/EPDS Racing Twitterati Racing Club
Syndicate) won the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs & 55
yards] (9 ran). Newcastle: (AW) Zabeel Star (Karen McLintock/Connor
Murtagh) finished 5th in the Handicap [1 miles
& 5 yards] (8 ran). Miles To
Memphis finished 5th in the Pertemps Qualifier at Punchestown. And
tomorrow, at Huntingdon: 13:50 Red
Admirable (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) –
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs & 145 yards] 14:20 Diva
Du Maquis (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Novices’ Hurdle 16:40 Kincora Fort (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap
Chase [2 miles 3 furlongs & 189 yards] 17:15 Voie Dans Voie
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Touch Of Velvett
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Maiden Hurdle This
week’s Weekender appeared on newsstands today, and Alan King has confirmed
that Yanworth will run in the Stayers’
Hurdle. I totally agree with that
decision; last season felt like unfinished business, having been campaigned
over distances too short, before finally getting the opportunity to run and win
a Grade 1 over an extended 3 miles at the Aintree Festival. Elgin is
still on course for the Champion Hurdle, having been raised to 161 following
his victory in last Saturday’s Kingwell
Hurdle. Provided everything continues
to plan, the entry supplement of £20,000 will be paid on 07 March. Lisp will
head to the Fred Winter, and Coeur De Lion will go for either the Coral Cup
or the Martin Pipe; the latter recently won a £15,000 flat race at Southwell! |
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Tuesday
20 February 2018 |
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Here are today’s
results for my runners of interest: Wetherby: Lunar Flow
(Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 5th in the Handicap Chase (Qualifier)
[3 miles & 45 yards] (8 ran). Taunton: Samson The
Man (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th in the Novices’ Hurdle (14
ran). Hey Bill
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) was brought down on
the final bend when short of room in the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (9
ran); I’m led to believe both horse and jockey were okay following the
incident. There are
numerous runners of interest (13 in fact) tomorrow: Doncaster: 13:40 Canelo (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Mystical Clouds
(Alan King/Tom Cannon) & Oscar World (Martin Keighley/Aidan Coleman) – NH
Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) 14:50
Buckle Street (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) [3
miles & 84 yards] 15:20 Sego
Success (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Chase (Veterans’ Series Leg
2) 16:30 Sammylou (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) – Standard Open NH Flat Race Div I 17:00
Smith’s Bay (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Daydream Aulmes
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Standard Open NH
Flat Race Div II Ludlow: 16:05
Devil’s Drop (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) – Maiden Hurdle 17:10 Monbeg Theatre (Jamie Snowden/Miss Page Fuller) & Galactic
Power (Robin Dickin/Jack Quinlan/EPDS Racing Twitterati Racing Club Syndicate) – Handicap Hurdle [2
miles 5 furlongs & 55 yards] Newcastle: (AW) 16:50 Zabeel Star (Karen McLintock/Connor
Murtagh) – Handicap [1 miles & 5 yards] In
addition, Miles To Memphis is due to run in the Pertemps
Qualifier at Punchestown tomorrow; off time 16:45. David
Barons, who trained the 1991 Grand National winner Seagram, has passed away
aged 81. RIP |
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Monday
19 February 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest at Lingfield Park: Lord Condi
(Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 9th in the Standard Open NH Flat Race
(All-weather) (12 ran). Sporty
Yankee (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 7th in the Handicap Hurdle [2
miles 7 furlongs] (9 ran). And
there’s a third result, from Kempton
Park: Ardamir (Laura Mongan/Fran
Berry/formerly owned by Apple Tree Stud) finished 3rd in the Handicap [1 mile
7 furlongs & 218 yards] (9 ran). And
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Wetherby: 16:40
Lunar Flow (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Handicap Chase (Qualifier) [3
miles & 45 yards] Taunton: 14:10
Samson The Man (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle 15:10 Hey
Bill (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Novices’
Limited Handicap Chase Choc and
Jennie flew home from Dubai today. |
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Sunday
18 February 2018 |
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Here are
yesterday’s results for my runners of interest: Ascot: Solstice
Star (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 6th in the Handicap Hurdle [2
miles 3 furlongs & 58 yards] (9 ran). Buckle Street
(Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) swung around and unseated his jockey as the
runners set off for the Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) [2 miles 7 furlongs &
118 yards] (12 ran). Pomme De Nuit (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 8th in the Mares’
Standard Open NH Flat Race (9 ran). The Grade
1 Ascot Chase was won by the Ruth Jefferson-trained Waiting Patiently; both
he and Cue Card were the equal stars of the race. Colin Tizzard’s
charge was magnificent, jumping with all the zest of a horse half his age to
finish 2nd. Cue Card wore a snaffle
yesterday, having schooled in the basic bit last week. At
present, the winning trainer isn’t too sure whether Waiting Patiently will
run in the Ryanair Chase because she has doubts
about the suitability of the Cheltenham track for her charge. It was jockey
Brian Hughes’ first Grade 1 victory. On the
run-in, Waiting Patiently and Cue Card: https://mobile.twitter.com/RacingUpNorth/status/964915194441936896/photo/1 Cue Card,
the very game runner-up: https://mobile.twitter.com/leemottershead/status/964890299452542976/photo/1 Black Corton, under Bryony Frost, won the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase impressively. https://mobile.twitter.com/Harry05Derham/status/965163000637386754/photo/1 Wincanton: Jully Les Buxy (Nick
Mitchell/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5
furlongs & 82 yards] (18 ran). Elgin (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won and Cliffs Of Dover
(Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) was pulled up in the Kingwell
Hurdle (Grade 2) (6 ran); Alan’s 49th winner of the season and Wayne’s 37th winner of the season. Haydock Park: Lisp (Alan
King/Tom Cannon) finished 3rd in the Victor Ludorum
Juvenile Hurdle There was
a sad postscript to report from Haydock Park, with
the Ruth Jefferson-trained Black Ivory losing his life as a result of being
brought down during the Pertemps qualifier
race. RIP Argocat, who ran in the Open Hunters’ Chase, was pulled
up having lost his action, but I don’t know if his injury proved fatal. In
contrast, Boite is reported to be fine following
his crashing fall during the Rendlesham
Hurdle. And
today’s results too (Sunday): Market Rasen: Dahills Hill (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) finished 2nd in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (11 ran). Paddys Runner (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) finished 6th and Nayati (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 8th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 148 yards] (10
ran). Midnight
Merlot (Noel Williams/Tom Bellamy) was pulled up during the Handicap Chase [2
miles 3 furlongs & 34 yards] (10 ran). Ffos Las: Scorpion Sid (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) won the NH
Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (6 ran); Jamie’s 26th winner of the season. Zarkandar was retired after finishing 4th in yesterday’s
Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock;
here’s wishing the old warrior a long and happy retirement: https://mobile.twitter.com/TobyConnors/status/964967664895569920/photo/1 Choc has
tweeted a photo of himself and Jennie in Dubai, riding a camel ... typically,
it’s garnered a number of ‘boob’
comments: https://mobile.twitter.com/Choc_Thornton/status/965142636012163072/photo/1 I’ve never
suffered from ‘boob envy’, as I
have more than enough of my own home-grown talent!!! It proved to be just ‘one of those days’ for Martin Keighley and his team yesterday: http://martinkeighleyracehorsetrainer.com/martins-blog-18th-february-2/ Following
yesterday’s victory, Alan King confirmed that it is likely that Elgin will be
added to the Champion Hurdle entries; the fee to supplement the horse would
be £20,000. Alan King
also said there is a possibility that, along with an existing entry for the Stayers’ Hurdle and the RSA Chase, Yanworth
would also receive an entry for the Festival’s Ultima
Handicap Chase run on the first day. Here are
tomorrow’s runners of interest (Monday), at Lingfield Park: 13:45 Lord
Condi (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Standard Open NH Flat Race
(All-weather) 14:15 Sporty
Yankee (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs] I’ve been
having another thoroughly lazy weekend ... chilling out in the armchair
watching TV, and doing a bit of knitting too.
My best friend has been my hot-water bottle; it’s a godsend when my
pelvis begins to ache, as are soft cushions to sit on. It’s no good taking painkillers, as I need
to know when I’m overdoing it. |
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Friday
16 February 2018 |
|
Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Sandown
Park: Naranja (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 6th and Sensulano (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd
in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (10 ran). Midnight
Monty (Jamie Snowden/Major Harry Wallace) finished 2nd in the Royal Artillery
Gold Cup (9 ran); Captain Guy Disney won the race for the second year running
aboard Rathlin Rose. Herewego Herewego (Alan
King/Barry Geraghty) finished 2nd in the Novices’
Handicap Hurdle (5 ran). Fakenham: Hollywood
All Star (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished
2nd in the Selling Handicap Hurdle (9 ran). And my
runners of interest tomorrow, Saturday: Ascot: 15:00
Solstice Star (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3
furlongs & 58 yards] 16:10 Buckle
Street (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) [2 miles 7
furlongs & 118 yards] 16:45 Pomme De Nuit (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Mares’ Standard Open NH
Flat Race The Grade
1 Ascot Chase takes place at 15:35 with 7 runners declared – Coney Island,
Cue Card, Frodon, Speredek,
Top Notch, Traffic Fluide and Waiting Patiently. Wincanton: 13:40 Jully Les Buxy (Nick
Mitchell/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs & 82
yards] 14:45
Elgin (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Cliffs Of Dover (Paul Nicholls/Harry
Cobden) – Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2) Haydock Park: 13:30 Lisp
(Alan King/Tom Cannon) – Victor Ludorum Juvenile
Hurdle And on Sunday too: Market Rasen: 14:45 Dahills Hill (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 15:15 Paddys Runner (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) & Nayati (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 148 yards] 16:20
Midnight Merlot (Noel Williams/Tom Bellamy) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 3
furlongs & 34 yards] Ffos Las: 14:30
Scorpion Sid (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – NH Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) Sensulano has earned herself some black type following
today’s Grade 2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle: https://mobile.twitter.com/JonnyHorses/status/964510829050777601/photo/1 Choc,
Jennie and presumably Wolfie have flown out to
Dubai to see Apple Tree Stud’s Absolute Blast run: https://mobile.twitter.com/Choc_Thornton/status/964421321579884544/photo/1 Mrs Prowting’s retired Prince Du Seuil
has been successful in the show ring: https://mobile.twitter.com/HannahBishop79/status/964233157284388870/photo/1 Richard
Pitman was schooling on the Lambourn gallops
yesterday; this is Jamie Snowden’s hack, the retired Right Enough: https://mobile.twitter.com/RacingPost/status/964246942522970112/photo/1 There were
rumours about a romance between Gemma Atkinson and Strictly
professional dancer Gorka Marquez during last
season’s show: https://mobile.twitter.com/gorkamarquez1/status/964489051498741760/photo/1 It’s more
box rest for me this weekend ... I’ve cut back on my walking, either cadging
a lift or catching a bus as part of my journey to and from work. A number of issues having been ruled out,
I’m wondering if I have a stress fracture in my pelvis ... probably not such
an outlandish idea considering my age, with osteoporosis a risk factor, and
also the fact I walk at speed on hard pavements and have fallen arches
too. And, for all I know, I could have
a similar issue within my left foot, rather than just a bunion problem. I’ll soon need a mobility scooter! |
|
Thursday
15 February 2018 |
|
Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Fontwell Park: Doctor Bartolo (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) was a non-runner in the
Juvenile Hurdle due to unsuitable ground. Shockingtimes (Jamie
Snowden/Brendan Powell) unseated his rider in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 5
furlongs & 135 yards] (8 ran). Kelso: Cyrus Darius (Ruth Jefferson/Brian
Hughes) won the Morebattle Hurdle (4 ran). And
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Sandown
Park: 14:25 Naranja (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) & Sensulano (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’
Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 15:00
Midnight Monty (Jamie Snowden/Major Harry Wallace) – Royal Artillery Gold Cup 16:35 Herewego Herewego (Alan
King/Barry Geraghty) – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Fakenham: 13:40
Hollywood All Star (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods)
– Selling Handicap Hurdle Paddy
Brennan will be reunited with Cue Card for this weekend’s Ascot Chase ... at
Ascot! Being a finely
honed athlete ... for my advanced years ... I’m beginning to wonder if I’ll
be the next to be ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival due to injury! I had a ‘Eureka’ moment on Tuesday and believe I now know what my problem
is ... and I think the treatment may be box rest. L |
|
Wednesday
14 February 2018 |
|
There are
two results to report today for my runners of interest, at Towcester: Harefield (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the
Novices’ Hurdle (7 ran). Senior
Citizen (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the Standard Open NH
Flat Race (5 ran). And
tomorrow: Fontwell Park: 14:05
Doctor Bartolo (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) – Juvenile
Hurdle 16:20 Shockingtimes (Jamie Snowden/Brendan Powell) – Handicap
Chase [2 miles 5 furlongs & 135 yards] Kelso: 14:25
Cyrus Darius (Ruth Jefferson/Brian Hughes) – Morebattle
Hurdle Grand
National winning jockey Liam Treadwell has announced his retirement. The
recently retired Irving has gone to live at the Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare
Centre in West Sussex. And Alan
King reports that Valdez is absolutely fine following his comeback run on
Saturday; connections were understandably delighted. He’s been dropped 2lbs by the handicapper
and his trainer believes he will receive an entry for the Cheltenham
Festival’s Grand Annual Chase. |
|
Monday
12 February 2018 |
|
Diva Du Maquis was a non-runner at Plumpton today, but I do have two results to report. My ATR tracker didn’t notify me of these runners
of interest until after I’d written yesterday’s blog. Catterick: Tyrell (Micky
Hammond/Joe Colliver/formerly owned by Apple Tree
Stud) won the Handicap Hurdle [2
miles 3 furlongs & 66 yards] (8 ran); he was a 22-1 shot! Wolverhampton: (AW) Sam Missile
(Jamie Osborne/Dougie Costello/formerly owned by
Apple Tree Stud) finished last in the Handicap [2 miles & 120 yards] (7
ran) There are
no runners of interest tomorrow, as both Lingfield
Park’s and Ayr’s jumps cards have been abandoned, leaving solely all-weather
racing from Southwell. Shilpa’s first foal, now a 3-year-old, is named Champas. Lady
jockey Sammy Jo Bell has announced her retirement. |
|
Sunday
11 February 2018 |
|
It seems that
almost no day goes by without me having to report the sad news of the death
of a well-known equine or of a horse which I’ve come into contact with during
my yard visits. Today the unfortunate
horse is Champagne James, trained by Jamie Snowdon, who broke down shortly
after the start of a Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter
yesterday. Also, later in the same
race, the Lucy Wadham-trained Gregarious took a
heavy fall which proved fatal. RIP
both of them. L
RIP Champagne James Here are
yesterday’s results for my runners of interest (Saturday): Newbury: Another Crick (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 3rd and Filemon (Jamie Snowden/Miss Page Fuller)
finished last of the finishers (9th) in the Novices’ Hurdle (10 ran). Barters Hill (Ben Pauling/Daryl Jacob) finished
6th, Bastien (Alan King/Kevin Dowling) finished 5th
and Talkischeap (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) won the Handicap Hurdle [3 miles & 52 yards] (8
ran); Alan’s 48th winner of the season and Wayne’s
36th winner of the
season Native
River (Colin Tizzard/Richard Johnson) won the Denman Chase (Grade 2) impressively (3 ran). Valdez (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished last
in the Game Spirit Chase (Grade 2), but was certainly not disgraced following
1204 days off the track (3 ran); Altior was very
impressive on his delayed seasonal return against the race-fit Politologue. William H Bonney (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 8th in the Betfair
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 69 yards] (24 ran); Kalashnikov won the race,
for trainer Amy Murphy and jockey Jack Quinlan. Three Ways (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) fell 3
out in the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (6 ran). Thistle Do Nicely (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan/part-owned by Apple Tree Stud) finished 8th in the Standard Open NH
Flat Race (10 ran). Uttoxeter: Lerichi Belle (Martin
Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 2nd in the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (10 ran). Lady Vitesse (Martin
Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 6th in the Maiden Hurdle (10 ran). Champagne James (Jamie Snowden/Brendan Powell)
broke down during the Handicap Chase [1 mile 7 furlongs & 214 yards] (7
ran). L Warwick: Midnight Tour (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished 3rd
in the Mares’ Listed Hurdle (7 ran). Wolverhampton: Celtic Artisan (Rebecca Menzies/Oisin Murphy/EPDS Racing) finished 8th in the Handicap [1
mile 1 furlong & 104 yards] (13 ran). If you’ve
been watching the racing from Ayr and from Exeter on RUK today, you’ll know
it’s been snowing, sleeting and hailing across the country. In fact, at Ayr, there was almost a
white-out at one stage! However, both
fixtures completed their cards despite this. There was
just one runner of interest today, at Exeter: Fletchers
Flyer (Harry Fry/Kieron Edgar) was pulled up in the
Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Qualifier Leg 1) (7 ran). There’s
just one runner of interest tomorrow, at Plumpton: 14:15 Diva
Du Maquis (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’
Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) The Warren
Greatrex-trained One Track Mind has been retired
due to a tendon injury. https://mobile.twitter.com/wgreatrexracing/status/962307620253167617/photo/1 Wilde Blue
Yonder’s stable name is ‘Oscar’ because he’s by the stallion Oscar. https://mobile.twitter.com/Ohdannyboy77/status/961696950671298560/photo/1 It was a
little bit muddy at Newbury yesterday: https://mobile.twitter.com/NewburyRacing/status/962392588815863808/photo/1 EPDS Racing
has engaged Mark Grant’s services to break in Shilpa’s
first foal; she’s three now: https://mobile.twitter.com/MarkGrantRacing/status/961681231963394053/photo/1 Happy
birthday, Frankel; he’s 10 today. I
understand that tickets for Sandown’s Season Finale go on sale tomorrow. I went for
a short walk, just before lunch; it was sunny but with a chilling
breeze. We, too, then experienced some
sleet this afternoon ... but nowhere as bad as at Ayr or Exeter. The robins
have returned and have been spotted flying around in the garage/shed again
... unfortunately they also poop on my car which is parked outside it. Every day is now ‘poop patrol’ day; as bird poo can
damage the paintwork if left in situ for too long. L I also saw a wren on a couple of occasions
this weekend, and a goldcrest too – they’ve been
eating the insects which live on the patio camellias. |
|
Friday
09 February 2018 |
|
Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Kempton Park: Chosen Path (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished
3rd, Chato (Alan King/Brendan Powell) finished 8th
and Stockburn (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished 5th
in the Novices’ Hurdle (12 ran). Mr Pumblechook (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 6th in the Maiden Open NH Flat Race Div I (12
ran). Balli Martine (Noel
Williams/Tom Garner) finished 10th and Lord Walsingham
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 13th in the Maiden Open NH Flat Race
Div II (14 ran). Bangor-On-Dee: Good Man Pat (Alan King/Tom
Cannon) won the
Novices’ Hurdle (4 ran); Alan’s 47th winner of the season. Potterman (Alan King/James
Bowen) finished 3rd in the NH Novices’ Hurdle (7 ran). Harambe (Alan King/Tom
Bellamy) finished 2nd and Thebannerkingrebel (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan) won the Standard Open NH Flat Race (7 ran); Jamie’s 25th
winner of the
season. And here
are tomorrow’s runners of interest (Saturday): Newbury: 13:15 Another Crick (Noel Williams/Wayne
Hutchinson) & Filemon (Jamie Snowden/Miss Page
Fuller) – Novices’ Hurdle 13:50 Barters Hill (Ben Pauling/Daryl Jacob)
& Bastien (Alan King/Kevin Dowling) & Talkischeap (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap
Hurdle [3 miles & 52 yards] 14:25 Native River (Colin Tizzard/Richard
Johnson) – Denman Chase (Grade 2); he has two rivals – Cloudy Dream and Saphir Du Rheu 15:00 Valdez (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Game
Spirit Chase (Grade 2); two rivals – Altior and Politologue 15:35 William H Bonney
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Betfair Handicap
Hurdle [2 miles & 69 yards] 16:10 Three Ways (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) –
Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 16:40 Thistle Do Nicely (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan/part-owned by Apple Tree Stud!) – Standard Open NH Flat Race; perhaps
I’ll meet the horse during my next visit to Jamie’s yard. J Uttoxeter: 13:20 Lerichi Belle
(Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 13:55 Lady Vitesse
(Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Maiden Hurdle 16:45 Champagne James (Jamie Snowden/Brendan Powell)
– Handicap Chase [1 mile 7 furlongs & 214 yards] Warwick: 14:05 Midnight Tour (Alan King/Tom Cannon) –
Mares’ Listed Hurdle Wolverhampton: 20:45 Celtic Artisan (Rebecca Menzies/Oisin Murphy/EPDS Racing) – Handicap [1 mile 1 furlong
& 104 yards] Oh dear, another well-known horse has died ...
this time it’s Fountains Windfall in a schooling accident; he was due to run
tomorrow, at Warwick. Connections
believe he may have suffered a seizure of some sort, as he was only schooling
over low poles at the time. L The
Racing Post has already marked his record as ‘Died as a 8yo’, which is a bit
insensitive. His actual birthday was
02 May, it was also the ill-fated Taquin Du Seuil’s
birthday.
RIP Fountains Windfall One of my favourites, Native River, returns to
action tomorrow: Barters Hill is due back in action at Newbury
too: And, of course, Altior,
along with Valdez: I’m trying
to look on the bright side about being too ‘lame’ to attend Newbury tomorrow ... it’s going to rain from
midday onwards! |
|
Thursday
08 February 2018 |
|
Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest, which includes three winners: Doncaster: Dingo Dollar (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Novices’ Chase (3
ran); Alan’s 45th winner of the season and Wayne’s
35th winner of the
season. Stylist Moment (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 3rd in the Novices’ Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs & 181 yards] (7
ran). Southfield Royale (Neil Mulholland/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 6th in the Handicap Hurdle [3 miles & 84 yards] (9
ran). Asylo (P F Holmes/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 9th in the Novices’ Hurdle [2 miles & 218 yards] (14
ran). Huntingdon: Brillare Momento
(Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) ran (and won) at Towcester, Wilde Blue
Yonder (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished 3rd and Azzerti (Alan King/Adrian Heskin) won the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs &
137 yards] (7 ran). Alan’s 46th
winner of the
season. Bulfin Island (Alan
King/Kevin Dowling) was pulled up and Serpico
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) was a non-runner in
the Handicap Hurdle [3 miles 1 furlongs & 10
yards] (10 ran). Mrs Prowting’s Minella Whisper, who
is trained by Richard Phillips, finished 3rd in this race. Towcester: Brillare Momento (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) won the Handicap Hurdle
[2 miles 3 furlongs & 34 yards] (7 ran); Martin’s 20th winner of the season. Dontminddboys (Robin Dickin/Jack Quinlan/EPDS Racing) finished 2nd in the
Handicap Chase [3 miles & 102 yards] (7 ran). Newcastle: (AW) Pantomine (Rebecca Menzies/Rowan
Scott) finished 4th in the Handicap [2 miles & 56 yards] (14 ran). And tomorrow’s runners of interest (Friday): Kempton Park: 13:50 Chosen Path (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
& Chato (Alan King/Brendan Powell) & Stockburn (Alan King/Tom Cannon) – Novices’ Hurdle 16:05 Mr Pumblechook
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Maiden Open NH Flat Race Div I 16:35 Balli Martine (Noel
Williams/Tom Garner) & Lord Walsingham (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Maiden Open NH Flat Race Div II Bangor-On-Dee: 15:20 Good Man Pat (Alan King/Tom Cannon) –
Novices’ Hurdle 16:25 Potterman (Alan
King/James Bowen) – NH Novices’ Hurdle 16:55 Harambe (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) & Thebannerkingrebel
(Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Standard Open NH Flat Race Beer
Goggles has left the Woollacott yard and will be
trained by his joint owner and permit-trainer Nicky Martin. I’m still
lame; I’m beginning to wonder if my ongoing foot problem is now affecting my
pelvis and sometimes my back too. My
issues improve each weekend, when I’m not walking extended distances, only to
deteriorate during the week; it was pretty bad today, being Thursday, as I’m
in constant pain when walking.
Admittedly the extended distances are well over two miles a day! Medical investigations are under way, but
it’s a very slow process. L |
|
Wednesday
07 February 2018 |
|
There are no results for my runners of interest today,
as racing at Ludlow was abandoned, as were Fakenham
and Carlisle. There’s news of Terrefort: It appears that I was more impressed by Terrefort following his initial Huntingdon run than his
connections were ... but that is because I love his ‘rocking horse’ colouring and the way he pricked his ears and
raced!!! Doncaster: 14:25 Dingo Dollar (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Novices’ Chase 15:00 Stylist Moment (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
– Novices’ Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs & 181 yards] 15:30 Southfield Royale (Neil Mulholland/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [3 miles & 84 yards] 16:05 Asylo (P F
Holmes/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle [2 miles & 218 yards] I’m listing Wayne’s rides regardless, because it
makes it easier to track his seasonal winners tally! Huntingdon: 14:50 Brillare Momento (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) & Wilde Blue
Yonder (Alan King/Tom Cannon) & Azzerti (Alan
King/Adrian Heskin) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3
furlongs & 137 yards] 15:55 Bulfin Island (Alan
King/Kevin Dowling) & Serpico (Graeme
McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Handicap Hurdle [3 miles
1 furlongs & 10 yards] Towcester: 14.55 Brillare Momento (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Handicap Hurdle
[2 miles 3 furlongs & 34 yards]; also declared for the 14:50 at
Huntingdon. 16:00 Dontminddboys
(Robin Dickin/Jack Quinlan/EPDS Racing) – Handicap
Chase [3 miles & 102 yards] Newcastle: (AW) 14:05 Pantomine (Rebecca Menzies/Rowan
Scott) – Handicap [2 miles & 56 yards].
She’s running for her other syndicate tomorrow and it may well be her
last chance, with the possibility she will return to her owner’s stud if she
disappoints again. |
|
Tuesday
06 February 2018 |
|
Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Market Rasen: Dans Le Vent (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished
3rd and Herewego Herewego
(Alan King/Barry Geraghty) finished 2nd in the NH
Novices’ Hurdle (8 ran). Board Of
Trade (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the Handicap Hurdle [2
miles 4 furlongs & 139 yards] (8 ran). Southwell: (AW) Pacific
Fleet (Archie Watson/Luke Morris/Apple Tree Stud) finished 6th in the Novice
Stakes [1 mile & 13 yards] (9 ran). I think
Choc must have attended the fixture at Southwell
today, as he posted a photo on facebook of his dad
with son Wolfie in a ‘racing’ setting. Here are
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Ludlow: 13:40 Lady
Vitesse (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – NH Novices’
Hurdle 14:40 Brillare Momento (Martin
Keighley/Aidan Coleman) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) 16:45
Touch Of Velvett (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Maiden Hurdle Both
Ludlow and Fakenham will be subject to an early
morning inspection, at 08:00 and 07:00 respectively. Chelmsford
will be joining RUK next year, along with the Irish racing; however, RUK will
not create a second channel for the latter.
Evidently the 26 Irish tracks will hold 363 scheduled fixtures this
year, and RUK already broadcast more than 800 fixtures from 37 British
tracks, with Chelmsford adding to those. Altior is due to make his seasonal return at Newbury on
Saturday, in the Game Spirit Chase; he may be joined by Valdez amongst
others! The latter will have been off
the racecourse for 1204 days, Altior for a mere 287
days. https://mobile.twitter.com/RPWeekender/status/960930841982619650/photo/1 I had
thought about attending Newbury, having missed Kempton Park at Christmas, but
I’m still not in the best physical health at present and may have to save
myself for a later date or dates. L |
|
Monday
05 February 2018 |
|
Here are
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Market Rasen: (subject to a precautionary inspection at 09:00) 14:55 Dans Le Vent (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) & Herewego Herewego (Alan
King/Barry Geraghty) – NH Novices’ Hurdle 15:25
Board Of Trade (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4
furlongs & 139 yards] Southwell: (AW) 13:30
Pacific Fleet (Archie Watson/Luke Morris/Apple Tree Stud) – Novice Stakes [1
mile & 13 yards] Apple Tree
Stud also owns the 6-year-old mare Absolute Blast who is trained by Archie
Watson and is currently racing in Dubai; Archie is based in Upper Lambourn.
Presumably a future broodmare. |
|
Sunday
04 February 2018 |
|
Here are
yesterday’s results for my runners of interest: Sandown
Park: Desiremoi D’Authie (Alan
King/Noel Fehily) finished 3rd in the Novices’
Hurdle (Qualifier) (6 ran). Terrefort (Nicky Henderson/Daryl
Jacob) won the Scilly Isles
Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (5 ran). Ubak (Gary Moore/Joshua Moore) finished 6th in the
Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) [2 miles 7 furlongs & 98 yards] (17 ran). Wetherby: Kayf Blanco (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) finished 3rd in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 3 furlongs & 85 yards]
(8 ran). Ami Desbois (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods/EPDS Racing) was pulled up before four out in the Towton
Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (6 ran); a breathing issue once again. Rio Bravo
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 6th in the
Handicap Hurdle [3 miles & 26 yards] (7 ran). Doc Penfro (Kevin Frost/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th and
Norman Stanley (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods)
finished 5th in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (12 ran). Musselburgh: Jamacho (Brian Ellison/Henry Brooke/raised by Apple Tree
Stud) was a non-runner in the Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 124
yards] due to unsuitable ground. Lingfield Park: Ardamir (Laura Mongan/A
Kirby/formerly owned by Apple Tree Stud) finished 3rd in the Handicap [1
miles 7 furlongs & 169 yards] (8 ran). Meanwhile,
Miles To Memphis finished 6th of 28 in the 16:05 Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown. There were
no runners of interest today, Sunday, and none tomorrow either! There was
a turn-up in today’s Irish Gold Cup, with Edwulf
winning at 33-1. He’s the horse which
collapsed on the run-in due to lack of oxygen during last year’s National
Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival!
On that day, vets treated him on course for almost an hour and a half
before taking him away by horse ambulance for further treatment. Amazing! https://mobile.twitter.com/leemottershead/status/960181636582313984/photo/1 https://mobile.twitter.com/RacingPost/status/960200025371324418/photo/1 https://mobile.twitter.com/RacingPost/status/960192265007267840/photo/1 Thomas
Crapper, who suffered a serious injury at Cheltenham last April, is still on
the comeback trail; trainer’s daughter Harriet Dickin,
took him for a spin around Towcester on
Friday. He jumped the fences too. |
|
Friday
02 February 2018 |
|
I’ve been
on annual leave today, but ‘projects’
have been slightly curtailed by two power-cuts. The first occurred at 07:55 this morning
and lasted for 90 minutes, the second at 16:45 which lasted for 2¼
hours. There’s not a lot one can do in
the dark, without electricity, and I also had to forego the planned
toad-in-a-hole dinner. L I had scrambled eggs on toast instead! Here are
yesterday’s results for my runners of interest: Wincanton: Samson The
Man (Noel Williams/Tom Garner) finished 5th in the Novices’ Hurdle (12 ran). Towcester: Spice Girl (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) won the Mares’ NH
Novices’ Hurdle (7 ran); Martin’s 19th winner of the season. Voie Dans Voie (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the
Novices’ Hurdle (9 ran). Southwell (AW): Pantomine (Rebecca Menzies/P
McDonald) finished 7th in the Handicap [1 mile 4 furlongs & 14 yards] (11
ran). Sad news
today that trainer Malcolm Jefferson has passed away following a long
illness; he always seemed like a nice bloke.
RIP https://www.racingpost.com/news/malcolm-jefferson/five-festival-heroes-and-history-makers/318032 I’m not
happy with Irish racing switching from ATR to RUK; I have little interest in
Irish racing and it will make it even harder to schedule the races on RUK so
that each one gets the time it deserves. Jockey
James Banks retired today; he rode Menace when I visited Worcester back in
July 2015. Here are
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Sandown
Park: 12:40 Desiremoi D’Authie (Alan
King/Noel Fehily) – Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) 14:25 Terrefort (Nicky Henderson/Daryl Jacob) – Scilly Isles
Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 15:00 Ubak (Gary Moore/Joshua Moore) – Handicap Hurdle (Grade
3) [2 miles 7 furlongs & 98 yards] Wetherby: 13:35 Kayf Blanco (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 3 furlongs & 85 yards] 14:40 Ami Desbois (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) – Towton Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 15:20 Rio
Bravo (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Handicap
Hurdle [3 miles & 26 yards] 16:30 Doc Penfro (Kevin Frost/Wayne Hutchinson) & Norman
Stanley (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Standard
Open NH Flat Race Musselburgh: 15:45 Jamacho (Brian Ellison/Henry Brooke/raised by Apple Tree
Stud) – Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 124 yards] Lingfield Park: 13:25 Ardamir (Laura Mongan/A
Kirby/formerly owned by Apple Tree Stud) – Handicap [1 miles 7 furlongs &
169 yards] Meanwhile,
Miles To Memphis runs in the 16:05 Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown. I’ve no
plans for the weekend. I’m currently
suffering from back problems, so don’t feel I can venture far from home at
the moment. L |
