JUNE 2018
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What’s new this month? |
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Wednesday
27 June 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest, at Worcester: Londonia (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods/EPDS Racing) finished 4th in the Novices’ Chase (7 ran); for the record,
Winner Massagot finished 6th ... which was last position,
as there was a faller! Another
Drama (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 6th in the Novices’ Hurdle
(13 ran). Balli Martine (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) finished
5th and Court Out (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 8th in the Maiden
Hurdle (11 ran). There is
no National Hunt racing tomorrow. |
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Tuesday
26 June 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest at Newton Abbot: Double Treasure (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) won and Desirable Court
(Alan King/Daryl Jacob) finished 2nd in the Novices’ Hurdle (4 ran); Jamie’s 5th
winner of the
season. Here are
tomorrow’s runners of interest, at Worcester: 14:50 Londonia (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods/EPDS Racing) – Novices’ Chase; the Masterson Holdings-owned Winner Massagot is also engaged in this race – formerly trained
by Alan King, he’s now trained by Dan Skelton. 16:50
Another Drama (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle 17:20 Balli Martine (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) &
Court Out (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Maiden Hurdle |
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Monday
25 June 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest, Southwell: Dr Dunraven (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) won the Handicap Chase [1
mile 7 furlongs & 153 yards] (6 ran); Martin’s 6th winner of the season. Delirious
Love (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 3rd
and Matravers (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 5th in the Maiden Hurdle (9 ran). Mr Mafia (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) won and Havisham (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) was pulled up in the
Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (13 ran); Martin’s 7th winner of the season. There are
two runners of interest tomorrow, at Newton Abbot: 19:00
Double Treasure (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) & Desirable Court (Alan
King/Daryl Jacob) – Novices’ Hurdle A nasty incident occurred at Ascot on Thursday,
when horses pulling a private hire carriage which was transporting race-goers
away from the course, were spooked and subsequently crashed through a shop
window. Fortunately no-one was hurt
and, contrary to reports, the horses were okay although one was battered and
bruised and needed stitches too: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/praise-authorities-brave-carriage-horse-ascot-accident-657236 |
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Sunday
24 June 2018 |
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There are
five runners of interest tomorrow, at Southwell: 15:15 Dr Dunraven (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler)
– Handicap Chase [1 mile 7 furlongs & 153 yards] 15:45
Delirious Love (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods)
& Matravers (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Maiden Hurdle 17:45 Mr
Mafia (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) & Havisham
(Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) – Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle I’ve
finished reading ‘Front Runner’ by
Felix Francis; it was a good one. I
still have the 2016 ‘Triple Crown’
to read and have, today, ordered the next one published in 2017, entitled ‘Pulse’. This year’s offering is entitled ‘Crisis’ and is due to be published
this October; I always wait until the paperback becomes available, so I won’t
be able to buy that for a while. I’ve also
completed the draft of my Ascot diary and selected the accompanying photos
too. So I just need to proof- read the
former and format the latter ... then move on to my outstanding 2018
Cheltenham and Aintree diaries! |
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Saturday
23 June 2018 |
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The Ascot Gold Cup Frankie Dettori
launches himself from the saddle following his victory aboard the John Gosden-trained
Stradivarius I enjoyed
my day out at Royal Ascot; I saw all of the runners and winners, as I spent
the entire afternoon beside the Parade Ring!
I didn’t see them race, apart from on the big screen, because I didn’t
venture down to the rails. I also saw
the Queen arrive in her landau, although it wasn’t a great view due to overcrowding
around the perimeter of the paddock.
The Duke of York, the Princess Royal, Princess Beatrice and Princess
Eugenie were also in attendance. However,
as I was standing overlooking the Winners’ Enclosure following the Gold Cup,
I also saw The Queen present the mementos to the winning connections of
Stradivarius. But,
having now been to Royal Ascot, it’s somewhat taken away the mystique! It made me realise how much I love the
Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals and, of course, the wonderful National Hunt
horses who race year after year. I’m a
National Hunt girl through and through and nothing will change that ...
although maybe I could be persuaded to attend another flat racing fixture if
I knew Choc would be in attendance representing Apple Tree Stud! Here is a
round-up of recent results: Thursday’s
results for my runners of interest, at Ffos Las: Weyburn (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler)
finished 6th in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 3 furlongs & 83 yards] (7
ran). Beneagles (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 191 yards] (9 ran). And here
are yesterday’s results for my runners of interest: Market Rasen: Cautorillo (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 5th in
the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (9 ran). King Vince
(Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 3rd, Tankerton
Boy (Neil King/Wayne Hutchinson) was pulled up and Pantomime (Rebecca Menzies/Conor
O’Farrell/formerly an EPDS Racing syndicate horse) finished 6th in the Maiden
Hurdle (8 ran). Shady Glen
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) was pulled up in
the Handicap Chase [2 miles 5 furlongs & 89 yards] (9 ran). Royal
Ascot: Top Tug
(Alan King/Martin Harley) finished 5th in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes
(Handicap) [1 mile 3 furlongs & 211 yards] (17 ran). There were
no specific runners of interest today ... and there are none tomorrow either! It’s back
to the drawing board with Cracksman, who disappointed in the Prince of Wales’
Stakes on Wednesday: Stradivarius
finished lame when winning the Gold Cup, but is now much better: This must
be the most heart-warming story of the week, with regards to any winner at
Royal Ascot: http://www.attheraces.com/news/2018/June/23/arthur-kitt-proves-an-emotional-winner-of-chesham-stakes Here is Arthur Kitt as
a foal, with his foster mum: https://mobile.twitter.com/RacehorseOwners/status/1010518845029863424/photo/1 I hope Harry Angel will be okay following an
incident at the start of today’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes. He sustained a nasty puncture wound and
finished lame, having got his near-hind stuck on the platform inside the stall
at the off. Second-season
trainer Archie Watson, who trains Tzar Nicholas for
Apple Tree Stud, claimed his first Royal Ascot winner when Soldier’s Call won
the Windsor Castle Stakes this afternoon. There was a further nightmare on Thameslink trains, and specifically at St Albans station,
on Thursday morning: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-44560769 I’ve
started writing my Ascot diary ... but progress seems a little slow! |
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Wednesday
20 June 2018 |
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Just a
very brief blog this evening, as I’m preparing for tomorrow’s trip to Royal
Ascot! Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest, at Uttoxeter: Lady Vitesse (Martin Keighley/Richard Johnson) finished 5th in
the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (12 ran). Morning
Herald (Martin Keighley/Richard Johnson) finished 3rd in the Novices’
Handicap Chase (4 ran). And
tomorrow’s runners of interest, at Ffos Las: 19:15 Weyburn (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler)
– Handicap Chase [2 miles 3 furlongs & 83 yards] 20:15 Beneagles (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle
[2 miles 7 furlongs & 191 yards] |
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Tuesday
19 June 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Stratford: Flow From Devon
(Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 9th in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Div
I (10 ran). Tillythetank (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the
Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Div II (10 ran). Jaboticaba (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th in the
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 70 yards] (12 ran). Royal
Ascot: Couer De Lion (Alan King/Martin Harley) finished 6th
and Sam Missile (Jamie Osborne/Dougie
Costello/formerly owned by Apple Tree Stud) finished 11th in the Ascot Stakes
(Handicap) [2 miles 3 furlongs & 210 yards] (19 ran). As mentioned
yesterday, Willie Mullins had four runners declared – they finished 1st (Lagostovegas), 3rd, 4th and 5th! The sequence was broken solely by the Karen
McLintock-trained runner up Dubawi
Fifty! Scarlet
Dragon (Alan King/Tom Marquand) finished 15th in the Wolferton
Stakes (Listed) [1 mile 1 furlong & 212 yards] (16 ran). Congratulations
to Eve Johnson-Houghton whose 33-1 shot Accidental
Agent won the Queen Anne Stakes; her first Royal Ascot winner and Group 1
winner too. Eve’s father, Fulke, trained 10 Royal Ascot winners, and he also
trained Ile De Bourbon to win the 1978 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth
Stakes. Her mother bred and owns
Accidental Agent, who is named in honour of her grandfather John Goldsmith;
he was a World War II special operations’ executive who wrote a book titled
Accidental Agent about his escape from the Gestapo! Eve is
based in Blewbury, where Noel Williams used to rent
her lower yard and share the gallops too.
Also,
notably, Frankie Dettori rode a treble – Calyx in
the Coventry Stakes, Without Parole in the St James’ Palace Stakes and
Monarchs Glen in the Wolferton Stakes. Here are
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Uttoxeter: 14:20 Lady
Vitesse (Martin Keighley/Richard Johnson) – Mares’
Handicap Hurdle 16:05
Morning Herald (Martin Keighley/Richard Johnson) – Novices’ Handicap Chase Apple Tree
Stud are seeking staff ... I wish: https://mobile.twitter.com/Choc_Thornton/status/1009079246915035136/photo/1 And ‘mini me’ jockeys: https://mobile.twitter.com/Choc_Thornton/status/1008329406794870784/photo/1 |
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Monday
18 June 2018 |
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Here are
tomorrow’s runners of interest, at Stratford: 13:50 Flow
From Devon (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Div I 14:20 Tillythetank (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’
Novices’ Hurdle Div II 15:30 Jaboticaba (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle
[2 miles & 70 yards] Royal
Ascot starts tomorrow, and
there are three runners of interest: 17:00 Couer De Lion (Alan King/Martin Harley) & Sam Missile
(Jamie Osborne/Dougie Costello/formerly owned by
Apple Tree Stud) – Ascot Stakes (Handicap) [2 miles 3 furlongs & 210
yards]. Willie Mullins has four runners declared; Henry de Bromhead has a runner, also David Pipe! 17:35
Scarlet Dragon (Alan King/Tom Marquand) – Wolferton
Stakes (Listed) [1 mile 1 furlong & 212 yards] |
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Sunday
17 June 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Sandown
Park: Ardamir (Laura Mongan/Callum Shepherd/formerly owned by Apple Tree Stud)
finished 5th in the Handicap [1 mile 6 furlongs] (11 ran). Hexham: Crushed
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th and Single Estate (S Waugh/Callum Bewley/raised by Apple Tree
Stud) finished 6th in the Novices’ Hurdle (12 ran). The Unit (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) won the Novices’ Chase (8 ran); Alan’s 13th
winner of the
season and Wayne’s
8th winner of the
season. Second
Time Around (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Handicap Hurdle
[2 miles 7 furlongs & 63 yards] (5 ran). Follow The
Swallow (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) was pulled
up in the Handicap Chase [3 miles & 41 yards] (16 ran). Alexander
The Grey (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished
8th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 48 yards] (13 ran). Fontwell Park: Lord
Topper (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) finished 3rd and Generous Chief (Graeme
McPherson/Bryony Frost) finished 8th in the Handicap Hurdle [3 miles 1
furlong & 166 yards] (12 ran). Between The
Waters (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 3rd in the Handicap Chase [2
miles 5 furlongs & 135 yards] (9 ran). Instant
Karma (Jamie Snowden/Lucy K Barry) finished 6th and Charlie Cook (Richard
Johnson/Graeme McPherson) finished 7th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3
furlongs & 49 yards] (8 ran). Passing
Call, who ran at Newton Abbot on Friday, appears destined to be the
bridesmaid never the bride! The
daughter of Call Me A Legend encountered unbelievably bad luck in running
when finishing 2nd, yet again: https://twitter.com/i/status/1007650481714483201 The
question is who was the twit who waved their arms and made the situation
worse? Yesterday I
went with my friends Lesley and Fay to visit another friend, Angy, who lives in Eastbourne. We took a brief walk along the seafront
too; I’d not seen the sea for a couple of years! I’ve now
finished uploading all of my photographs, and my Stud visit diary, so that
leaves just my racing diaries to complete ... although there are seven of
them! I’ve been
very grumpy today, as my acid reflux has returned with a vengeance. I stopped taking my medication in early
January and have been fine since then; unfortunately my symptoms (constant
throat irritation, throat clearing and coughing too) have always been
adversely affected by cold viruses, and this is a side-effect of the one I
caught at Whitsun. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
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Friday
15 June 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Newton
Abbot: Passing
Call (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd and Cecilator
(Noel Williams/Tom Garner) finished 10th in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (12
ran) Gin And
Tonic (M Wigham/Wayne Hutchinson) was pulled up in
the Handicap Chase [2 miles & 75 yards] (9 ran). Aintree: Primogeniture
(Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 5th in the Conditional Jockeys’
Handicap Hurdle (11 ran). Cracker Factory (Alan King/Daryl Jacob) won and Enforcement
(Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 5th in the Juvenile Hurdle (6 ran); Alan’s 12th
winner of the
season. Fact Of
The Matter (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 4th in the Handicap Chase
[3 miles & 210 yards] (8 ran). Melody Of
Scotland (Alan King/Barry Geraghty) finished 3rd in
the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 103 yards] (8 ran). Pearls
Legend (John Spearing/James Bowen) finished 2nd in the Handicap Chase [1 mile
7 furlongs & 176 yards] (7 ran). And here
are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Sandown
Park: 17:35 Ardamir (Laura Mongan/Callum Shepherd/formerly owned by Apple Tree Stud) –
Handicap [1 mile 6 furlongs] Hexham: 14:45
Crushed (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Single Estate (S Waugh/Callum Bewley/raised by Apple
Tree Stud) – Novices’ Hurdle 15:20 The
Unit (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Chase 16:30
Second Time Around (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7
furlongs & 63 yards] 17:05
Follow The Swallow (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods)
– Handicap Chase [3 miles & 41 yards] 17:40
Alexander The Grey (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods)
– Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 48 yards] Fontwell Park: 19:55 Lord
Topper (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) & Generous Chief (Graeme
McPherson/Bryony Frost) – Handicap Hurdle [3 miles 1 furlong & 166 yards] 20:25
Between The Waters (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 5
furlongs & 135 yards] 20:55
Instant Karma (Jamie Snowden/Lucy K Barry) & Charlie Cook (Richard
Johnson/Graeme McPherson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs & 49
yards] |
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Thursday
14 June 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Nottingham: Stynes (Graeme
McPherson/Liam Keniry/EPDS Racing) won the Handicap [1 miles
6 furlongs] (13 ran); the horse is proving very versatile, having won over
fences at Cartmel last month! Stynes ran in
different silks today, the EPDS ones having been mislaid somewhere between
the horsebox and the weighing room! Haydock Park: Zabeel Star (Karen McLintock/Jamie
Gormley) finished 3rd in the Handicap [7 furlongs
& 212 yards] (8 ran) Uttoxeter: Mayllan (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the
Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (11 ran). And
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Newton
Abbot: 16:30
Passing Call (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Cecilator
(Noel Williams/Tom Garner) – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle 17:00 Gin
And Tonic (M Wigham/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap
Chase [2 miles & 75 yards] Aintree: 17:45
Primogeniture (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap
Hurdle 18:15
Cracker Factory (Alan King/Daryl Jacob) & Enforcement (Martin
Keighley/Harry Stock) – Juvenile Hurdle 18:50 Fact
Of The Matter (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Handicap Chase [3 miles &
210 yards] 19:20
Melody Of Scotland (Alan King/Barry Geraghty) –
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 103 yards] 19:55
Pearls Legend (John Spearing/James Bowen) – Handicap Chase [1 mile 7 furlongs
& 176 yards] |
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Wednesday
13 June 2018 |
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There are
three runners of interest tomorrow: Nottingham: 15:15 Stynes (Graeme McPherson/Liam Keniry/EPDS
Racing) – Handicap [1 miles 6 furlongs] Haydock Park: 19:55 Zabeel Star (Karen McLintock/Jamie
Gormley) – Handicap [7 furlongs & 212 yards] Uttoxeter: 21:15 Mayllan (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ Standard
Open NH Flat Race Apple Tree
Stud’s Ruler Of The World 2-year-old has been named Tzar
Nicholas; he ran at Leicester on 29 May and finished 6th of 10 runners. I’ve now added him to my ATR tracker so as
to be notified when he runs next. After a
reconnaissance trip around the shops yesterday lunchtime, followed by quite a
bit of internet research, I had a successful shopping trip today when I
purchased a silver fascinator/hat and a silver handbag ... and all for less
than £67.00! |
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Tuesday
12 June 2018 |
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Today I received
a surprise invitation ... to Royal Ascot next Thursday, courtesy of my
employer! I presume someone must have
dropped out, so one of the directors phoned to ask if I’d like to join the
group consisting of a number of Head Office and branch staff. I have to say that not in my wildest
imagination did I expect my 200th racecourse visit to be attendance of Ascot
Gold Cup day, aka Ladies Day! Sorting
out an outfit has rather sidetracked me since I got home this evening; I only
own one dress so, at present, will be wearing a top, skirt and jacket
instead. Shoes won’t be an issue, as I
have a variety of Hotter pairs. I may
need to buy a handbag, as all of my best bags are now Kipling ones. And, of course, a hat! Anyway,
here are today’s results for my runners of interest: Southwell: Londonia (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods/EPDS Racing) finished 3rd and Undisputed (Noel Williams/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs & 16
yards] (16 ran). The Devils Drop (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Maiden Hurdle
(Novices’ Brush Hurdle Qualifier) [2 miles 7 furlongs & 209 yards] (4
ran); Alan’s 11th winner of the season and Wayne’s
7th winner of the
season. Balli Martine (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 3rd in the Maiden Hurdle (Novices’ Brush Hurdle Qualifier) [1 mile 7
furlongs & 153 yards] (7 ran). Thirsk: Celtic
Artisan (Rebecca Menzies/Cam Hardie/EPDS
Racing) finished 6th in the Handicap [7 furlongs & 218 yards] (14ran). There are no
National Hunt fixtures in the UK tomorrow, and no ATR tracker notifications
for the flat either. Wayne
Hutchinson is searching for a new sponsor, to begin in August. |
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Monday
11 June 2018 |
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There were
in fact three runners of interest today and here are the results: Worcester: Our Reward
(Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan/EPDS Racing) finished 9th in the Handicap Chase
[2 miles 7 furlongs] (11 ran). Mr Mafia (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) won the Handicap Hurdle
[2 miles 7 furlongs] (13 ran); Martin’s 5th winner of the season. Pontefract: Tyrell
(Lawrence Mullaney/Danny Tudhope/formerly
owned by Apple Tree Stud) finished 3rd in the Handicap (Round 3 of Pontefract
Stayers’ Championship 2018) [2 miles 1 furlongs
& 27 yards] (8 ran). Here are
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Southwell: 19:10 Londonia (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods/EPDS Racing) & Undisputed (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs & 16 yards] 19:40 The
Devils Drop (Wayne Hutchinson/Alan King) – Maiden Hurdle (Novices’ Brush
Hurdle Qualifier) [2 miles 7 furlongs & 209 yards] 20:40 Balli Martine (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) – Maiden
Hurdle (Novices’ Brush Hurdle Qualifier) [1 mile 7 furlongs & 153 yards] Thirsk: 15:45
Celtic Artisan (Rebecca Menzies/Cam Hardie/EPDS Racing) – Handicap [7 furlongs & 218
yards] Colin Tizzard has announced details of his annual Open
Day. It will take place on Bank
Holiday Monday, 27 August, 11:00 to 16:00.
There will be a parade of his stable stars at 12:30 and 14:30. It costs £5 per adult; children under 12
years go free. Monies raised go to
local charities. The address is Milborne Port, near Sherborne
in Dorset, DT9 5HE. |
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Sunday
10 June 2018 |
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Here are
yesterday’s runners of interest, at Stratford-Upon-Avon: Jamacho (Charlie Longsdon/Brian
Hughes/raised by Apple Tree Stud) finished 2nd and Matravers
(Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 7th in
the Novices’ Hurdle (14 ran). Colonel
Miller (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th and Hartshorne Abbie (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler)
finished 8th in the Maiden Open NH Flat Race (11 ran). There are
two runners of interest tomorrow, at Worcester: 14:45 Our
Reward (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan/EPDS Racing) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 7
furlongs] 17:15 Mr
Mafia (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs] As hoped,
I found time to do some gardening yesterday.
Whilst I was planting out the fuchsias in a stone trough, two young
robins were hopping around quite close to me; one of the parents came to feed
them too. I think they must be the
offspring of the local pair which appeared to raise their first brood in
garden shed; this is their second brood, but they have nested elsewhere this
time although still close by. I’ve also
selected and uploaded my collection of photographs taken on Day 1 of this
year’s Aintree Festival. That leaves
just Day 2’s photographs, Ladies Day, still to do! Although, of course, I still have eight
diaries (7 race-days and 1 stud visit) to complete ... |
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Friday 08
June 2018 |
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Here are
tomorrow’s runners of interest, at Stratford-Upon-Avon: 20:05 Jamacho (Charlie Longsdon/Brian
Hughes/raised by Apple Tree Stud) & Matravers
(Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Novices’ Hurdle 21:05
Colonel Miller (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Hartshorne Abbie (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler)
– Maiden Open NH Flat Race Having
recently been sold, Jamacho has returned to live in
the Cotswolds once more. Three of
Jamie Snowden’s recent runners enjoy time in the stream at Lambourn: https://mobile.twitter.com/jamiesnowden/status/1004661112330125312/photo/1 Having won
her second amateur title, Page Fuller has now turned professional. There are no
National Hunt fixtures on Sunday. I had
plans for tomorrow, but these have now had to be postponed ... so I’m a free
agent this weekend. I guess website
updates and a little gardening are now on the agenda instead. |
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Wednesday
06 June 2018 |
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RIP Denman It was announced today that Denman has been put
to sleep, his health having deteriorated in recent days: I didn’t see Denman win the Cheltenham Gold Cup,
apart from on TV, but I was at Newbury to see his second triumph in the
Hennessy Gold Cup, so that is the Denman ‘experience’
which is foremost in my memory. It’s a
shame but, being a big horse, his style of racing would have taken a toll on
his body over the years. So now
there are just two of Paul Nicholls’ ‘Musketeers’
remaining – Master Minded and Big Buck’s. Andrew Thornton was able to celebrate his
retirement with a winner at Uttoxeter: Willie
Mullins has also announced that Djakadam has been
retired; he will return to live with his breeder in France. Uttoxeter: Mahlermade (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the
Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (6 ran). Hamilton: Zabeel Star (Karen McLintock/Jamie
Gormley/formerly trained by Graeme McPherson)
finished 2nd in the Handicap [1 mile 1 furlong & 35 yards] (8 ran). Kempton
Park: Ardamir (Laura Mongan/Pat
Cosgrave/formerly owned by Apple Tree Stud) finished 6th in the Handicap
(Qualifier) [1 mile 7 furlongs 218 yards] (11 ran). Wetherby: Pantomime (Rebecca Menzies/Paul Hanagan/formerly
an EPDS Syndicate horse) won the
Handicap [2 miles] (13 ran). There’s no
National Hunt racing tomorrow, and there’s been no notification from ATR of
any ‘interesting’ flat runners
either! What a
nightmare, a journey back from Luton to St Albans should take a maximum of 50
minutes, door to door, by train and on foot; this evening it took one hour
and forty minutes thanks to the disintegrating service on Thameslink
trains. The excuse was a broken down
train at Harpenden; I arrived at Luton station before 17:10 and had to wait
until 17:53 for the first southbound train.
I thought I’d then try to make up time by catching a bus from St
Albans station to reach home ... one didn’t arrive for 20 minutes, so I could
have walked home quicker if I’d known!
I think Thameslink should be rechristened ‘Thamestink’!
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr |
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Tuesday
05 June 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Bangor-on-Dee: Potterman (Alan King/James
Bowen) won the
Novices’ Hurdle (2 ran); the other runner, Sonic, fell two out. Alan King’s 10th winner of the season. Hidden Cargo
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th in the Novices’ Handicap Chase (8
ran). Fontwell Park: Sugar
Storm (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 6th in the Conditional Jockeys’
Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (10 ran). Our Three
Sons (Jamie Snowden/Miss Page Fuller) finished 2nd in the Novices’ Chase (5
ran); Diakali won the race by 29 lengths! Double Treasure (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) won the Novices’ Hurdle (6
ran); ‘birthday boy’ Jamie’s 4th
winner of the
season Young
Phoenix (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) pulled up
in the Handicap Hurdle [3 miles 1 furlong & 166 yards] (12 ran). Southwell: Court Out
(Jamie Snowden/Harry Bannister) finished 2nd in the NH Maiden Hurdle (Summer
Brush Hurdles Series Qualifier) (8 ran). Leapt (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods/EPDS Racing) won the Novices’ Hurdle (Summer Brush Hurdles Series
Qualifier) (9 ran); the race was affected by low sun, with all of the fences
in the back straight omitted. Graeme’s 5th
winner of the
season. Awesome
Rosie (Alan King/Kevin Dowling) finished 4th in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (5
ran). Skin Deep
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat
Race (13 ran). Her half-sister Sunrise
Ruby won the race! There are
four runners of interest tomorrow: Uttoxeter: 16:10 Mahlermade (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’
Handicap Hurdle The second
race on the card is the ‘Andrew
Thornton Congratulations on your retirement’ Handicap Hurdle Div II; the
first Division is the ‘Tommo’
Handicap Hurdle! Andrew has
four riding engagements tomorrow – Edward Elgar in his ‘own’ race, also Amirr, Westerberry and Manhattan Spring. Hamilton: 16:00 Zabeel Star (Karen McLintock/Jamie
Gormley/formerly trained by Graeme McPherson) –
Handicap [1 mile 1 furlong & 35 yards] Kempton
Park: 20:30 Ardamir (Laura Mongan/Pat
Cosgrave/formerly owned by Apple Tree Stud) – Handicap (Qualifier) [1 mile 7
furlongs 218 yards] Wetherby: 20:40
Pantomime (Rebecca Menzies/Paul Hanagan/formerly
an EPDS Syndicate horse) – Handicap [2 miles] I’ve
finally been offered a physiotherapy appointment, for early next month. My pelvis continues to ‘flare up’ on a regular basis ...
although that’s probably because I can’t resist walking far too far and too
fast! |
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Monday 04
June 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest at Newton Abbot: Cautorillo (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 4th and
Flow From Devon (Jamie Snowden/Tom O’Brien) finished 5th in the Mares’ Maiden
Hurdle (16 ran). Fidux (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 2 furlongs & 110
yards] (12 ran). Here are
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Bangor-on-Dee: 14:00 Potterman (Alan King/James Bowen) – Novices’ Hurdle ...
there are only two runners declared! 15:00
Hidden Cargo (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Handicap Chase Fontwell Park: 14:15
Sugar Storm (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Conditional Jockeys’ Mares’
Handicap Hurdle 14:45 Our
Three Sons (Jamie Snowden/Miss Page Fuller) – Novices’ Chase 15:15
Double Treasure (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Novices’ Hurdle 16:15
Young Phoenix (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) –
Handicap Hurdle [3 miles 1 furlong & 166 yards] Southwell: 19:05
Court Out (Jamie Snowden/Harry Bannister) – NH Maiden Hurdle (Summer Brush
Hurdles Series Qualifier) 19:35
Leapt (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods/EPDS Racing) –
Novices’ Hurdle (Summer Brush Hurdles Series Qualifier) 20:05
Awesome Rosie (Alan King/Kevin Dowling) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 21:05 Skin
Deep (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race Skin Deep
(owned by JP McManus) and the Nicky Henderson-trained Sunrise Ruby, who also
runs in this race, are half-sisters and they also come from the same family
as Yanworth! Today Andrew Thornton announced that he will
retire following this Wednesday’s fixture at Uttoxeter: http://www.attheraces.com/news/2018/June/04/andrew-thornton-to-retire-at-uttoxeter-on-wednesday Andrew appeared on ATR’s Sunday Forum yesterday
and the other members of the panel were pulling his leg as to when he would
be retiring; the subject was brought up following Frankie Dettori’s
recent announcement that he hopes to continue for a further five years
despite rumours to the contrary! There’s
news that Harry Cobden will be out of action until around 01 September,
having suffered a fracture to his C2 vertebra as a result of being unseated
at Market Rasen on Friday. I’ve been told that Harry is currently
dating Bryony Frost. Worcester
has been slatted by Alan King and Warren Greatrex
to name but two, because of their lack of facilities for owners and
trainers. It was Ladies Day at the
track on Saturday, with 10,000 racegoers; it has
been reported that the facilities for owners and trainers were seriously
compromised as a result. Noel
Williams’ mare Theatre Goer, who he adores, has given birth to a filly foal
by Scorpion; her pet name is ‘Sophie’. Because of bloodlines, breeders are always
very pleased when the foal is a girl!
He’ll keep her, whereas he’d have sold a colt/gelding. There’s
another sale tomorrow, this time at Ascot.
Desiremoi d’Authie
is to be sold by Sullivan Bloodstock; he’s from Alan King’s yard. Drat, I’ve
missed the deadline for purchasing Newbury Ladbrokes Trophy Day tickets at a
33% price reduction. L I made a note in one of my diaries a while
ago, but then forgot. The first price increase
on 2019 Cheltenham Festival tickets takes place early next month, so I’ll
have to make a point of buying those before the 05 July deadline. Having
finished uploading the photographs I took on Saturday during the Stud visit,
I’m now in the middle of drafting the associated diary ... |
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Sunday
03 June 2018 |
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Just one
runner of interest today, at Fakenham: Havisham (Jamie Snowden/Miss
Page Fuller) won Handicap Hurdle (for Lady Amateur Riders) (7
ran); Jamie’s 3rd winner of the season. Evidently Jamie thought that victory was so
unlikely, he said he’d be going to the gallops tomorrow wearing solely a pair
of boots, as would work rider Rodney Farrant, if
his charge won! There are
three runners of interest tomorrow, at Newton Abbot: 14:20 Cautorillo (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) & Flow From
Devon (Jamie Snowden/Tom O’Brien) – Mares’ Maiden Hurdle 15:20 Fidux (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2
miles 2 furlongs & 110 yards] I was
side-tracked earlier today by a list of gardening chores. Annual begonias have been planted out,
seven hyacinth bulbs have been transplanted from their indoor pots to an
outdoor tub having finished flowering, and I’ve moved a number of pansies
from a trough in the front garden to a trough in the back garden in order to
make room for three fuchsias. I’ve not
planted the fuchsias yet, as there appears to be another infestation of
woodlice in their designated trough; I’ll look later in the week to reassess
the situation. |
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Saturday
02 June 2018 |
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This
weekend, ‘Working on my website’
includes writing up this morning’s visit to Chandler Manor Farm Stud near Wantage. EPDS
Racing arranged a visit to see Shilpa and her colt
foal ‘Christus’,
and Money Maid and her filly foal ‘Cookie’. We stayed
at the foaling unit for over two hours and I took more than 450
photographs! Here are just eight of
them to whet your appetite! |
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‘Christus’ |
Shilpa |
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Money Maid and ‘Cookie’ |
‘Cookie’ |
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‘Christus’ |
Shilpa and ‘Christus’ |
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Money Maid and ‘Cookie’ |
Money Maid and ‘Cookie’ |
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Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Worcester: Dr Dunraven (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) won and Dr Waluigi (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 11th in
the Novices’ Handicap Chase (13 ran); Martin’s 4th winner of the season. Azzerti (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Novices’ Chase (5 ran) Pearls Legend (John Spearing/Nico
de Boinville) finished 2nd in the Handicap Chase [2
miles & 110 yards] (5 ran). Jessica Rabbit (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods/EPDS Racing) finished 6th in the
Intermediate Open NH Flat Race Div II (9 ran). Fleeting Visit (Graeme Mc Pherson/Kielan Woods) finished 3rd and King Vince (Jamie
Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 2nd in the Fixed Brush Series Maiden Hurdle
(10 ran). Hexham: Enforcement (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock)
finished 3rd in the Juvenile Hurdle (6 ran). Today’s Epsom Derby was won by the Charlie
Appleby-trained Masar for owners Godolphin. Masar’s sire is
New Approach, therefore grandsire Galileo.
The Coolmore bloodlines
continue to have a major bearing on the classics, but Ballydoyle
isn’t having everything its own way this season, having won just our 2000
Guineas and Oaks. Despite their
strength in numbers, they lost out on the both the Irish 1000 and 2000
Guineas, along with our 1000 Guineas and now the Derby ... and that can only
be a good thing for the health of flat racing. Just one
runner of interest tomorrow, at Fakenham: 16:25 Havisham (Jamie Snowden/Miss Page Fuller) – Handicap
Hurdle (for Lady Amateur Riders) |
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Friday
01 June 2018 |
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Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest, at Market Rasen: Visage Blanc (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 9th in the Novices’ Handicap
Hurdle (13 ran). Desiremoi D’Authie
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 2
furlongs & 140 yards] (12 ran). Follow The Swallow (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 2nd in the Handicap Chase [2 miles
5 furlongs & 89 yards] (9 ran). Here are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Worcester: 13:45 Dr Dunraven
(Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) & Dr Waluigi (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Novices’ Handicap
Chase 14:20 Azzerti (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Novices’ Chase 14:55 Pearls Legend (John Spearing/Nico de Boinville) – Handicap
Chase [2 miles & 110 yards] 16:05 Jessica Rabbit (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods/EPDS Racing) – Intermediate Open NH Flat
Race Div II 18:05 Fleeting Visit (Graeme Mc Pherson/Kielan Woods) &
King Vince (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Fixed Brush Series Maiden Hurdle Hexham: 14:40 Enforcement (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) –
Juvenile Hurdle Fontmont, formerly trained by
Nicky Henderson, has passed away aged 22.
He retired back in 2006 following a severe injury to his pelvis. RIP All being well, I’ll be working on my website
again this weekend, and watching the Epsom Derby tomorrow afternoon too. Forever
Together, sired by Galileo, won today’s Epsom Oaks for trainer Aidan O’Brien;
she was ridden Aidan’s son Donnacha.
It was the trainer’s 7th Oaks victory and the filly was the first
maiden to win the race since Sun Princess in 1983. |
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