FEBRUARY 2017
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Tuesday
28 February 2017 |
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It’s
still very quiet, with less than two weeks to go until the Cheltenham
Festival. There
were no results to report yesterday or today and there’s only one runner of
interest tomorrow, at Ffos
Las: 14:20
Hogan’s Height (Jamie Snowden/Nick Scholfield) – Novices’
Hurdle Sadly
the horse fatalities continue to mount, with the Tim Vaughan-trained Fayette
County (pictured below) the latest casualty when falling at Catterick today.
RIP
Two
horses collapsed and died at Southwell on Sunday –
the Chris Gordon-trained The Chuckmeister and the
Lucy Wadham-trained Minstrels Gallery. RIP Choc’s dog
Moose went missing yesterday morning but, fortunately, was found a few hours
later. Penzance
celebrated his actual 16th birthday yesterday; he’s enjoying his retirement
in the Welsh Borders, show-jumping with his lady owner. Unioniste
has a new owner, David Maxell, but will continue to be trained by Paul
Nicholls. Lesley
and I will be going to see Lee Mead at the Pheasantry
in London in late October; part of my next birthday present! My
younger brother Neil is a keen tennis player.
He travelled to Roehampton on Saturday
evening where he played a match with Wimbledon sensation Marcus Willis! I’ve
been waiting for further news regarding Money Maid’s injury, as I did hear an
unconfirmed rumour when at Jamie’s yard on Saturday; she’s trained by Graeme
McPherson. Official notification has
now come through that she’s picked up a tendon injury and will be out of
action for 18 months. However, she may
now be sent off to stud, as age is also against her. In addition, Avealittlepatience
has been sent back to her owner/breeder in Ireland, as Fergal O’Brien and
Paddy Brennan were of the opinion that she won’t stay far enough to be a
National Hunt horse. There had been an
idea to send her to a flat trainer but, having picked up a knock in the
field, this idea became untenable for the present. Fergal is now on the lookout for a
replacement horse for the Twitterati Racing Syndicate
to lease. That’s it for the meteorological winter
... spring begins tomorrow for the weather forecasters! |
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Sunday
26 February 2017 |
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Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Fontwell Park: Winner Massagot (Alan
King/Noel Fehily) finished last in the Novices’
Chase (4 ran). Sir Antony Browne (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished
2nd in the Novices’ Hurdle (9 ran). Camping Ground, having his first outing for
trainer Gary Moore, simply ran away with the Grade 2 National Spirit
Hurdle! He won by 29 lengths! Southwell: Buckle Street (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) won the Novices’ Hurdle
(14 ran); surviving a stewards’ enquiry in the process. Martin’s 14th winner of the season. The Wexfordian (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 2nd in the
Selling Handicap Hurdle (14 ran). I can find no runners of interest for tomorrow,
at Plumpton or Ayr. There was carnage on the lake ice at St Moritz
today, with jockey George Baker injured as a result of a fall during the
first race; he was brought down and his mount, the Jamie Osborne-trained Boomerang
Bob, was killed sadly (reported to have fractured both hind-legs). RIP.
I saw Jamie Osborne’s string returning from the
gallops yesterday, led by a very pretty appaloosa pony; Jamie Snowden
mentioned that his fellow-trainer was taking a party of owners to
Switzerland, and had entered a horse in every race. Evidently there was a hole in the surface
of the ice, so someone couldn’t have checked the course properly;
disgraceful. It’s not
good news for Barry Geraghty either; his injuries
are worse than at first thought and he’s out of the Cheltenham Festival. According to ATR, it is Mark Walsh who gets
the first choice of JP McManus mounts now. |
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Saturday
25 February 2017 |
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Pride of Pemberley at the Lambourn training grounds; ridden by Page Fuller Wayne Hutchinson wasn’t able to take up his rides
today after all, having been signed off for 6 days due to suspected
concussion; this was despite the fact that he’d actually passed the
recognised tests following yesterday’s fall from Giveaway Glance. Alan King, who was also at Exeter
yesterday, eluded to the fact that Wayne was far from happy about this … and
probably even more so, when he missed a winning ride yesterday and again
today!!! I’ve only had concussion once … mildly, following
a fall from a horse … I didn’t realise what it was at the time, so drove home
from Knebworth Park, with passengers I think! Crazy.
When I got home my eyesight was a little odd too; with shimming ‘schisms’ across my vision. The vision disruptions have occurred on a
handful of occasions since, when my blood sugar level becomes too low – it’s
remedied by eating sugary food such as biscuits. My father drove me to the doctor, where I
was examined and sent home; however, I was told to report to the hospital if
I vomited within the next few hours. I
did feel nauseous later, but wasn’t actually sick. Concussion it was. Anyway, here are today’s results for my runners
of interest: Kempton Park: River Frost (Alan King/Barry Geraghty) won and Wishing And Hoping (Alan King/Tom Cannon
deputising for Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles
5 furlongs] (13 ran). Fidux (Alan King/Tom
Cannon) finished 3rd and Master Blueyes (Alan King/Tom
Bellamy deputising for Wayne Hutchinson) won the Adonis Juvenile
Hurdle (Grade 2) (10 ran). Elgin (Alan King/Tom Cannon deputising for Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (7 ran). Annacotty (Alan King/Ian Popham) finished 8th and Viva Steve (Fergal O’Brien/Tom
Bellamy deputing for Barry Geraghty) finished 11th
in the Betbright Handicap Chase (Grade 3) [3 miles]
(13 ran); the Neil Mulholland-trained Pilgrims Bay won the race. It was not a good day for Nicky Henderson, with Charli Parcs falling 2 out during
the Adonis Hurdle; Cocktails At Dawn falling during the Betbright
Chase, and Triolo D’Alene pulling up injured having
jumped two fences also during the same race.
Barry Geraghty also
sustained an injury relating to his fall from Charli
Parcs – a slightly collapsed lung and a cracked
rib; retained in hospital overnight, Barry hopes to be fit for the Cheltenham
Festival next month. A quick-thinking Jeremiah McGrath was able to
pull up Triolo before too much damage was done,
although he was, by that stage, unable to use his near-hind; evidently the
injury has been diagnosed as a fracture to the ball of the pelvis. The on-course vets provided excellent care,
and connections were able to take the horse home to hopefully recover from
what is a career-ending injury.
Cocktails At Dawn was reported to be very sore following his
departure; Charli Parcs
was none the worse, unlike his jockey.
Sadly at least three other horses were not so
lucky yesterday, with Tom Lacey’s Lough Derg Leader fatally injured at Kempton, Peter Bowen’s Ffeebee lost at Chepstow and Jane Chapple-Hyam’s
Solar Diety losing his life at Lingfield
Park. RIP. Chepstow: Solstice Star (Martin Keighley/Killian Moore)
finished 4th in the Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps
Qualifier) [2 miles 7 furlongs & 131 yards] (13 ran); he’s now qualified
to run in the final. Pearls Legend (John Spearing/Harry Cobden)
finished 3rd in the Handicap Chase [2 miles & 11 yards] (7 ran). Wolverhampton: Forecast (Martin Keighley/Liam Keniry) finished 2nd in the Handicap [1 mile 4 furlongs]
(9 ran). The Betbright Chase
taking place at Kempton Park today proved the perfect opportunity to
publicise next month’s Cheltenham Festival’s Betbright
Cup; Hector returns, but Choc does not, sadly. Although I didn’t know the exact date baby
Thornton was due, my calculations from publication on facebook
of the presumably 13-week hospital scan, arrived at an answer of early to
mid-March … so I wasn’t far out. But,
of course, this ruled Choc out of pre-Festival publicity … so Phil Tufnell is
his replacement. I like Phil, I far
prefer him to Matt Dawson on Question of Sport … but, of course, he’s just
not Choc! L Tomorrow’s runners of interest are as follows: Fontwell Park: 14:00 Winner Massagot
(Alan King/Noel Fehily) – Novices’ Chase 15:30 Sir Antony Browne (Alan King/Tom Cannon) –
Novices’ Hurdle Southwell: 15:10 Buckle Street (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Novices’ Hurdle 15:40 The Wexfordian
(Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Selling Handicap
Hurdle I was out and about today; a long day but very
enjoyable. In the morning I visited
Jamie Snowden’s yard, and I spent the afternoon and evening in Caversham with my friend Denise. Jamie has two EPDS horses in his yard currently –
Our Reward and Pride of Pemberley – Wildehearted Woman having been forced to retire due to an
injury incurred when falling at Leicester recently. Not only did we see the majority of the third lot
head up the Mandown gallops, we then headed along
to the training ground. Pride of Pemberley jumped a set of barrels and two hurdles,
upsides Oliver’s Island; ‘Colin’
was brilliant, but his companion let the side down by crashing out through
the wing of the second hurdle! His
rider, a lady who does eventing, lay on the ground
and was attended for a handful of minutes; she was fine. Oliver’s Island galloped off into the open
expanse, to be caught by a member of the Jockey Club gallops team a few
minutes later. Page Fuller, who’d been
riding Colin, was very pleased with the novice. Page then took Our Reward over a line of three
fences, twice. Again she was pleased;
he is able to take his fences on a short or long stride. Finally she hopped aboard Crown Theatre; a
big horse, with plenty of scope. He
also jumped a total of six fences. He
came to Jamie’s yard from Henry de Bromhead; he’d
lost his form prior to the transfer but, when his new yard examined his wind,
a fragment of blackthorn had been discovered lodged beneath his epiglottis
and this was removed. Crown
Theatre is a lovely stamp of a horse and, with this issue sorted out, may
just be a horse to follow! He’s
currently owned by the Dr Dawn Racing Partnership, and the idea has been
mooted that they may join forces with another syndicate with regard to
ownership of this particular horse – EPDS has been suggested! |
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Friday
24 February 2017 |
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Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Warwick: Sporty Yankee (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 6th in the Juvenile Hurdle (9 ran). Johnny Og (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) was pulled up in the
Handicap Chase [2 miles 4 furlongs] (7 ran). Dalton Glance (Martin Keighley/Mr A Hark) was a
non-runner in the ‘Hands and Heels’
Handicap Hurdle (for Conditional Jockeys and Amateur Riders) due to
unsuitable ground. Future Gilded (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller)
finished 2nd in the Handicap Chase (Q) [3 miles] (9 ran). Lerichi Belle (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 5th in the Mares’
Standard Open NH Flat Race (8 ran). Exeter: Giveaway Glance (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) fell
3 out in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (8 ran). Label Des Obeaux (Alan King/Tom Cannon
replaced Wayne Hutchinson) won the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (5 ran). Chance Taken (Noel Williams/Tom Garner) finished
8th in the Handicap Chase [2 miles & 175 yards] (12 ran). Wayne is expected to be okay to ride at Kempton
Park tomorrow. Ex-Apple
Tree Stud’s Silca Wings finished 7th of 11 in the
Claiming Race at Navan today. Here are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Kempton Park: 13:15 River Frost (Alan King/Barry Geraghty) & Wishing And Hoping (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs] 13:50 Fidux (Alan
King/Tom Cannon) & Master Blueyes (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) 15:00 Elgin (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 15:35 Annacotty (Alan
King/Ian Popham) & Viva Steve (Fergal
O’Brien/Barry Geraghty) – Betbright
Handicap Chase (Grade 3) [3 miles] Chepstow: 15:40 Solstice Star (Martin Keighley/Killian
Moore) – Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Qualifier) [ 2
miles 7 furlongs & 131 yards] 16:15 Pearls Legend (John Spearing/Harry Cobden)
– Handicap Chase [2 miles & 11 yards] Wolverhampton: 18:15 Forecast (Martin Keighley/Liam Keniry) – Handicap [1 mile 4 furlongs] There were problems on the local roads at
lunchtime. Having walked to the town
centre and back, I decided to drive to the local bank branch because I was
feeling tired. However, there was a
long tailback caused by, firstly a car accident, with police in attendance,
and then phased temporary traffic lights due to road-works. There seemed to be numerous maniac drivers,
none with any patience or road sense, performing dangerous manoeuvres into
the path of oncoming vehicles; it happened to me. I’m out
and about visiting tomorrow; I’m off to see my friend Denise, via Jamie
Snowden’s yard in Lambourn! J |
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Thursday
23 February 2017 |
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Many congratulations to Choc and Jennie Storm Doris arrived today … and so did Choc and Jennie’s
son, at 09:47 this morning! Mother and
baby are doing fine, and William has been to the hospital to meet his new
brother too. The proud father has
posted photos on facebook. J Choc is introducing his son as Wolfie Robert Thornton.
23 February makes him a pisces; a water sign
just like Choc. I got caught out by Doris; I decided to go to
work early as I’m on annual leave tomorrow and had a backlog of tasks to
clear. Unfortunately, this coincided with a cloudburst and I got absolutely
soaked, although not quite as wet as during last June’s thunderstorm! Once at work, I decided I needed a change
of clothes, so mum delivered a new set of everything, apart from knickers and
a bra! Although the latter was rather
damp too! Seeing all the travel problems on the news,
reminds me of the time when I temped in London and almost got stuck at St
Pancras; only the London to Sheffield diesel trains were able to run because
the overhead cables on the London to Bedford service had been damaged due to
high winds. Doris also resulted in Huntingdon’s fixture being
abandoned! Anyway, after all of today’s excitement, here are
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Warwick: 14:30 Sporty Yankee (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Juvenile Hurdle 15:35 Johnny Og (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Handicap Chase [2 miles
4 furlongs] 16:10 Dalton Glance (Martin Keighley/Mr A Hark) –
‘Hands and Heels’ Handicap Hurdle
(for Conditional Jockeys and Amateur Riders) 16:45 Future Gilded (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) –
Handicap Chase (Q) [3 miles] 17:15 Lerichi Belle
(Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Mares’ Standard
Open NH Flat Race Exeter: 14:45 Giveaway Glance (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 15:15 Label Des Obeaux
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 17:25 Chance Taken (Noel Williams/Tom Garner) –
Handicap Chase [2 miles & 175 yards] I notice
that the ex-Apple Tree Stud’s Silca Wings runs in a
Claiming Race at Navan tomorrow. |
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Wednesday
22 February 2017 |
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Firstly, Graeme McPherson’s
vet has been to visit Money Maid and, as there is no heat in her tendon, the
opinion is that she just kicked herself when eased down following the
race. She will continue to be
monitored for the next 48 to 72 hours and the vet will return if anything
changes. Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Ludlow: Lexington Law (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 6th in the Maiden Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 169 yards] (15
ran). Forgetthesmalltalk (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Maiden Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 174
yards] (8 ran). Bingo D’Olivate (Noel
Williams/Leighton Aspell) finished 8th and Dino
Velvet (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Handicap Hurdle (1
mile 7 furlongs & 169 yards] (12 ran). Authorized Too (Noel Williams/William
Featherstone) finished 7th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs &
55 yards] (11 ran). Doncaster: Timoteo (Alan King/Tom
Cannon) finished 4th in the Juvenile Hurdle (8 ran). Skipthecuddles (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) was a non-runner (unsuitable ground) in the
Handicap Hurdle [3 miles & 84 yards] Canford Chimes (Alan
King/Gerard Tumelty/Apple Tree Stud) finished a
promising 3rd in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (13 ran); he started at 20-1,
so would have been worth an each-way bet!
I did tweet Choc and he ‘favourited’ it! J Tomorrow, again, there are a number of runners of
interest, at Huntingdon: 13:30 Galactic Power (Robin Dickin/Chris
Ward/EPDS Racing – Twitterati Syndicate) – Handicap
Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs & 145 yards].
However, he’s not a certain runner, he’s had a sore foot and heavy
rain is forecast tonight too. 14:00 Sir Antony Browne (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle 15:10 Kassis (Jamie
Snowden/Nick Scholfield) – Mares’ Chase (Listed) 16:20 Chato (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – NH Maiden Hurdle Div I 16:55 Hogan’s Height (Jamie Snowden/Nick Scholfield) & Midnight Merlot (Noel Williams/Ian Popham) – NH Maiden Hurdle Div II This year
due to popularity, Oaklands College’s Lambing Live
event is for ticket holders only. It’s
still free, but numbers need to be limited.
I’ve booked. J I love lambs …and
definitely not accompanied by mint sauce!
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Tuesday
21 February 2017 |
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Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Wetherby: Money Maid (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods/EPDS Racing) won and Mollyanna (Jamie Snowden/Richie
McLernon) finished 5th in the Mares’ Novices’
Handicap Chase (7 ran). However, Money Maid did finish lame in a foreleg;
the racecourse vet found heat in the leg but it is too early to know if it
might be tendon related; Graeme’s vet will take a look at her in the morning: Race
2 - 2:30pm The Stewards noted that the winner, MONEY MAID (IRE), ridden by Kielan Woods, finished lame and CHASMA, placed second,
ridden by Jake Greenall, was suffering from
post-race heat stress. They did not enter the winner’s enclosure on veterinary
advice. The Veterinary Officer reported that ACES OVER EIGHTS (IRE), unplaced,
trained by Kerry Lee, had bled from the nose. Taunton: Viking Mistress (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 2nd in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (17
ran). Cajun Fiddle (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 3rd in the Mares’ NH Novices’ Hurdle (13 ran). Handsome Sam (Alan King/William Featherstone)
finished 4th in the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (8 ran). Top Tug (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd
and Bobble Emerald (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler)
finished 6th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 104 yards] (10 ran). There is a long list of runners of interest
tomorrow too: Ludlow: 14:00 Lexington Law (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Maiden Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 169 yards] 15:05 Forgetthesmalltalk
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Maiden Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 174
yards] 16:10 Bingo D’Olivate
(Noel Williams/Leighton Aspell) & Dino Velvet
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 169
yards] 17:20 Authorized Too (Noel Williams/William
Featherstone) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs & 55 yards] Doncaster: 14:45 Timoteo (Alan
King/Tom Cannon) - Juvenile Hurdle 15:15 Skipthecuddles
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Handicap Hurdle
[3 miles & 84 yards] 16:55 Canford Chimes
(Alan King/Gerard Tumelty/Apple Tree Stud) –
Standard Open NH Flat Race The jury is still out with regards to Avealittlepatience; the trainer feels that she doesn’t stay
2 miles, but won’t be able to win over 1½ miles on
the flat because her rivals will travel too fast for her! The major story today is that Thistlecrack
has been ruled out of the Cheltenham Gold Cup having sustained a tendon
injury: http://www.racinguk.com/news/article/49278/thistlecrack-ruled-out-of-cheltenham-gold-cup So now there are ten Festival absentees … http://www.racinguk.com/news/article/49280/nine-big-guns-to-miss-the-cheltenham-festival But,
looking on the bright side, it gives all of the other horses a better chance
of winning a big prize!!! |
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Monday
20 February 2017 |
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Just one runner of interest today and this is how
she fared, at Lingfield Park: Avealittlepatience (Fergal O’Brien/Paddy
Brennan/EPDS Racing – Twitterati Syndicate)
finished 8th in the Standard Open NH Flat Race [All weather] (13 ran). She’s by Dubai Destination and related to
both flat horses and jumpers; Paddy suggested a shorter trip on the flat next
time out. There are seven runners of interest tomorrow: Wetherby: 14:30 Money Maid (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods/EPDS Racing) & Mollyanna
(Jamie Snowden/Richie McLernon) – Mares’ Novices’
Handicap Chase Taunton: 14:20 Viking Mistress (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 15:20 Cajun Fiddle (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Mares’ NH Novices’ Hurdle 15:50 Handsome Sam (Alan King/William
Featherstone) – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 16:20 Top Tug (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) &
Bobble Emerald (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) –
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 104 yards] To confirm
that I’m now old, I’ve just insured my car with Saga! I’ve insured it for social and domestic as
I always do, because I walk to work; fingers crossed that I won’t have to add
commuting to the cost soon. |
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Sunday
19 February 2017 |
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I was out and about visiting family yesterday so,
by the time I got home, I wasn’t feeling inclined to update my blog before I
went to bed … so here are yesterday’s results for my runners of interest: Ascot: Criq Rock (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 7th in the Novices’ Hurdle (8 ran). Fletchers Flyer (Harry Fry/Noel Fehily) finished 3rd but Label Des Obeaux
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) was a non-runner in the Reynoldstown
Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (5 ran). Ordo Ab
Chao (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 12th and My Khaleesi
(Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3
furlongs & 58 yards] (16 ran). Theatre Goer (Noel Williams/William Featherstone)
finished 10th and Spellbound (Alan King/James Banks) finished 9th in the Handicap
Hurdle (Qualifier) [2 miles 7 furlongs & 118 yards] (14 ran). Cadeaux’s Fire (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 6th in the Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (8 ran). Cue Card won the Grade 1 Ascot Chase with ease; Taquin Du Seuil finished 4th (6
ran). Wincanton: Yanworth (Alan King/Barry Geraghty) won and Sceau Royal (Alan
King/Daryl Jacob) finished 3rd in the Kingwell
Hurdle (Group 2) (6 ran). And here are today’s results for my runners of
interest too: Ffos Las: Midnight
Silver (Jamie Snowden/Sam
Twiston-Davies) won the Mares’ Handicap Chase (5 ran). Market Rasen: Want The Fairytale (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 4th in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (6 ran). Martha McCandles (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished last in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (5 ran). Asuncion (Rebecca Menzies/Jamie
Hamilton/EPDS Racing) finished last in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 3 furlongs
& 34 yards] (4 ran). There is one runner of interest tomorrow, at Lingfield Park: 13:50 Avealittlepatience
(Fergal O’Brien/Paddy Brennan/EPDS Racing – Twitterati
syndicate) – Standard Open NH Flat Race [All weather]. I notice that Miles From Memphis ran at Navan today,
for his new Irish connections; he won
at a price of 25-1! (11 ran) Gerard Tumelty tweeted
a photograph of Apple Tree Stud’s first foal of the season; a filly by
Frankel. Choc retweeted
it too. https://mobile.twitter.com/Gertumeltynew/status/833004624504303616/photo/1 It transpires that Cliffs of Dover’s injury is
worse than the initial diagnosis suggested; he will miss the Triumph Hurdle
and the remainder of the season too. The Dessie and Kauto Star statues look forlorn as the sun sets over
Kempton Park: https://mobile.twitter.com/kemptonparkrace/status/833008285997527045/photo/1 I’ve been slaving over a hot laptop today;
putting my affairs in order, due to an uncertain future! Grrrrrrrrrrrr! I’ve also
broken out in spots; I’m susceptible due to my medication, and stress only
makes the situation worse. I
experienced a really bad outbreak during last year’s Cheltenham Festival …
and I recall that being a particularly stressful week!!! |
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Friday
17 February 2017 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest at Sandown Park: Baraymi (Jamie Snowden/Jamie Bargary)
pulled up in the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (9 ran). Exmoor
Mist (Victor Dartnell/Nick Scholfield)
pulled up and Mr Muddle (Gary Moore/William Clarke) finished 2nd in the
Handicap Chase [1 mile & furlongs & 119 yards] (9 ran). Ardkilly Witness (Jamie Snowden/Major Harry Wallace)
finished 2nd in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup (Military Amateur Riders) (7
ran). Willoughby
Hedge (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Handicap Chase
(Qualifier) [3 miles & 37 yards] (9 ran); Wayne’s 65th winner of the season. Dun Bay
Creek (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished last in the Novices’ Handicap
Hurdle (7 ran). Here are
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Ascot: 13:15 Criq Rock (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle 13:50 Fletchers Flyer (Harry Fry/Noel Fehily) & Label Des Obeaux
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) - Reynoldstown
Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 15:00 Ordo Ab Chao (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) & My Khaleesi (Alan King/Tom
Cannon) - Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs & 58 yards]. Ordo Ab Chao returns following 680 days away from the
racecourse due to pneumonia. 16:10
Theatre Goer (Noel Williams/William Featherstone) & Spellbound (Alan
King/James Banks) – Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) [2 miles 7 furlongs &
118 yards] 16:45 Cadeaux’s Fire (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’
Standard Open NH Flat Race The Grade
1 Ascot Chase takes place at 15:35 and features Cue Card, Irish Cavalier,
Royal Regatta, Shantou Flyer, Taquin Du Seuil and Traffic Fluide. Wincanton: 14:45 Yanworth (Alan King/Barry Geraghty)
& Sceau Royal (Alan King/Daryl Jacob) – Kingwell Hurdle (Group 2) Here are Sunday’s runners of interest: Ffos Las: 15:20
Midnight Silver (Jamie Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies)
– Mares’ Handicap Chase Market Rasen: 14:00 Want
The Fairytale (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle 14:30
Martha McCandles (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 16:00
Asuncion (Rebecca Menzies/Jamie Hamilton/EPDS
Racing) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 3 furlongs & 34 yards] Today, I’m
seething ... I don’t know why I bother because, due to people’s ignorance,
even my absolute best efforts have not been appreciated. I hate starting the weekend in a bad mood
... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! |
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Thursday
16 February 2017 |
|
Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Kelso: Cyrus Darius (Malcolm
Jefferson/Brian Hughes) won the Morebattle Hurdle (4 ran). Leicester: The rain
arrived and, as a result, both Winner Massagot and
Money Maid were non-runners. Lingfield Park: Zabeel Star (Graeme McPherson/Liam Keniry)
finished 3rd in the Handicap [1 mile 2 furlongs] (10 ran). Chelmsford: Celtic
Artisan (Rebecca Menzies/Mr B Lynn/EPDS Racing)
finished 4th in the Handicap (Amateur Riders) [1 mile] (6 ran); not the best
of rides given by the amateur evidently. There are
a number of runners of interest at Sandown Park tomorrow: 13:40 Baraymi (Jamie Snowden/Jamie Bargary)
– Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 14:20
Exmoor Mist (Victor Dartnell/Nick Scholfield) & Mr Muddle (Gary Moore/William Clarke) –
Handicap Chase [1 mile & furlongs & 119 yards] 15:15 Ardkilly Witness (Jamie Snowden/Major Harry Wallace) –
Royal Artillery Gold Cup (Military Amateur Riders) 16:15
Willoughby Hedge (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Chase (Qualifier) [3
miles & 37 yards] 16:45 Dun
Bay Creek (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle I’m
completely shattered today. I’ve been
up since 05:30; I got to work at 07:55 and then worked through non-stop until
17:50. I’ve got too much work and not
enough time ... |
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Wednesday
15 February 2017 |
|
Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest at Towcester: Lunar Flow
(Jamie Snowden/Richie McLernon) finished 4th in the
Handicap Chase [3 miles & 102 yards] (8 ran). Oliver’s Island
(Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) finished 4th in the Standard Open NH Flat Race
(12 ran). There are
a number of runners of interest tomorrow too: Kelso: 14:25
Cyrus Darius (Malcolm Jefferson/Brian Hughes) – Morebattle
Hurdle Leicester: 15:45
Winner Massagot (Alan King/Noel Fehily)
– Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 16:20
Money Maid (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods/EPDS
Racing) – Mares’ Handicap Chase Lingfield Park: 17:00 Zabeel Star (Graeme McPherson/Liam Keniry)
– Handicap [1 mile 2 furlongs] Chelmsford: 17:50
Celtic Artisan (Rebecca Menzies/Mr B Lynn/EPDS
Racing) – Handicap (Amateur Riders) [1 mile] In his
weekly column, Alan King revealed that Kayf
Mariner, which finished 5th in the Listed Bumper at Newbury on Saturday,
collapsed and died having returned to the stable yard. RIP The trainer thought he was one of Barbury Castle’s better bumper horses this season; Kayf Mariner was part-owned by the Kelvin-Hughes who bred
him. That’s the second bumper horse
the yard has lost this season, shortly after a race; and he also joins poor
Laissez Dire and an unnamed youngster that broke a leg on the gallops. But
there’s better news regarding another of Alan’s charges; following his
runner-up placing on Sunday, Harefield has booked
his place in Newbury’s valuable DBS bumper. |
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Tuesday
14 February 2017 |
|
Just one
result today, from Fontwell Park: Blue
Bullet (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) finished 2nd in the Intermediate NH Flat
Race (Conditional Jockeys and Amateur Riders) (7 ran). And two
runners of interest tomorrow, at Towcester: 16:10
Lunar Flow (Jamie Snowden/Richie McLernon) –
Handicap Chase [3 miles & 102 yards] 16:40
Oliver’s Island (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) – Standard Open NH Flat Race The Racing
Post website has been updated ... I’m not sure that I like the new format ...
but that’s probably because I like familiarity and hate change!!! |
|
Monday
13 February 2017 |
|
Just one
runner of interest tomorrow, at Fontwell Park: 16:30 Blue
Bullet (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) – Intermediate NH Flat Race (Conditional
Jockeys and Amateur Riders) Stallion
Fame And Glory has passed away due to a suspected heart attack; he was
covering a mare at the time. Oh well,
I suppose if you have to go ... RIP Will Kennedy
reached a milestone today, it’s the first time he’s ridden 50 winners in a
season; he rode a double for trainer Donald McCain at Catterick. Cheltenham
Racecourse is to clamp down on unruly behaviour at this year’s Festival, with
drinks per transaction being limited and the bars closing earlier than
usual. This follows the lead of the
local Council and the police, as they have been cracking down on drunken
behaviour outside the venue and in town. At the
weekend, Choc and family visited his parents in Leicestershire and they were
out and about with the local hunt: https://mobile.twitter.com/Choc_Thornton/status/831091478067867648/photo/1 My car was
serviced and successfully underwent its MOT today too. The cost was far less than last year and
was £70 under the budget I’d set aside too. J And I don’t need new tyres yet either. However, the one newer tyre did need to be
repaired because it had a nail in it! Typical.
I’ve also
investigated the possibility of insuring the car with a different company
from my current one and, although I can’t do so until a maximum of 30 days
prior to the renewal date, it should cost at least £13 less a month than last
year. Although there’s always the risk
I will eventually need to insure it as a commuter, due to the office
relocation later in the year, rather than for solely social use as at
present. It is half
term this week and the road repairers are now out in force. There were temporary traffic lights due to a
water leak on my driving route this morning, and a further set on my walking
route to collect my car this afternoon; also road closures and diversions due
to resurfacing near the City station. However
today, I did learn that I’m useless at parallel parking, despite driving a
small Fiesta! There wasn’t enough
space on the small garage forecourt when I arrived, so I was asked to park in
a resident’s bay opposite. If it had
been a double space as required in the new driving test then I’d have been
okay, but there was just one space with a car in front and one behind
too. In the end, a guy at the garage
moved an Escort into a resident’s bay whilst I drove around the block and
parked on the forecourt instead! |
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Sunday
12 February 2017 |
|
Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest at Exeter: Fortified Bay (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 3rd in the NH Novices’ Hurdle (10 ran). Solstice Star (Martin Keighley/Killian Moore) finished
8th in the Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Qualifier) (13
ran). Carraig Mor
(Alan King/Noel Fehily) paddled through the
open-ditch and fell during the Graduation Chase; Alary took a heavy fall
three out too (4 ran). Tea For Two
beat Henri Parry Morgan to win the race. Alary was fine and was led away,
having been initially winded; Carraig Mor is solely listed as fell, so presumably was okay
too. Minella Charmer (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the Novices’ Chase (6 ran). Harefield (Alan King/ Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Intermediate Open NH Flat Race; an excellent
debut from the rules newcomer (15 ran). As expected, Finian’s
Oscar won the 5-runner Listed Novices’ Hurdle. A few days ago it was announced that Goonyella has been retired. There are two National Hunt fixtures tomorrow, at
Plumpton and Catterick,
but no runners of interest. I found a skein of grey SMC Foxy yarn in my
stash, so today I made a scarf using a crochet hook; it’s what is described as
an eye-lash yarn. Unfortunately, however, the yarn does tend to shed a lot of
fluff! I know this because I already
have turquoise and burgundy Foxy scarves which I made a number of years ago. My car
goes in for its service and MOT tomorrow; hopefully it will cost less than
the £800+ of last year. Although I
will probably need three new tyres this time around, as they are originals;
the fourth having been replaced two or three years ago. |
|
Saturday
11 February 2017 |
|
I was glad to stay at home today, having
postponed a visit to family in Bedfordshire due to the unpredictable
weather. The sleety showers didn’t put off those who
ventured to Newbury however, as they got their biggest ‘Super Saturday’ crowd for four years! Here are the results for my runners of interest: Newbury: Azzerti (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Novices’ Hurdle (10 ran). William H Bonney (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 11th in the Betfair
Hurdle (Grade 3) (16 ran). Native River (Colin Tizzard/Aidan Coleman) won the Grade 2 Denman Chase (3 ran); Bristol De Mai finished a
disappointing last. Aidan replaced
Richard Johnson aboard the Tizzard runner. Dickie stood
himself down because he was feeling unwell; a mixture of flu and the
after-effects of a recent fall were reported to be the reasons. I realise I should have listed Native River as a
separate entity, as I’ve been a fan since noticing him on Cheltenham Trials
Day in January 2015. Like clothes, I
was initially drawn to his colour and flashy markings – and I can now feel
the quality too … the second-most important consideration when buying
clothes! I love Native River; he’s my favourite of the ‘Tizzard Trio’. http://www.racinguk.com/news/article/49080/native-river-delivers-for-tizzard-team-in-denman-test https://mobile.twitter.com/mjyharris/status/830514865387270149/photo/1 Denman made an appearance at Newbury. He has now
retired from team chasing and is no longer ridden; age has caught up with
him. Sprinter Sacre
was also paraded. https://mobile.twitter.com/tiamilodolly/status/830493684374319105/photo/1 Kayf Mariner (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th and Dans Le
Vent (Jamie Snowden/Aidan Coleman again replaced Richard Johnson) finished
3rd in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (Listed) (10 ran). That was an
excellent result for Jamie’s charge, although he only arrived at the yard
quite recently; he was the 33-1 joint-outsider! Here is a photo of Dans
Le Vent, “In the wind”, on the Lambourn gallops. https://mobile.twitter.com/jamiesnowden/status/830468889683312642/photo/1 The Grade 2 ‘Game
Spirit’ Chase was won in very impressive style by novice Altior (4 ran). I totally agree with Nicky Henderson that Altior should run in the Arkle. There’s no point over-facing the
outstanding novice before it is necessary; especially when it would be Douvan that he would have to take on in the Champion
Chase. That’s provided Douvan doesn’t fall by the
wayside due to injury like so many of the Rich Ricci horses have been doing
this season. It’s great to see the hardy Ballyandy
win the Betfair Hurdle; it’s the most valuable
hurdle race in Europe. It was another great
day for the Twiston-Davies team, as they also won
Warwick’s Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices’ Chase with Flying Angel; also, Templehills won a Handicap Chase at the same track, with
Dave Crosse aboard! https://mobile.twitter.com/AtTheRaces/status/830452655864549379/photo/1 Here is Racing UK’s round-up for the day: Uttoxeter finally went ahead
after what I think was the third inspection. The problem was snow on the
covers! Anyway, it was fortunate that
it did, because … Lunar Flow (Jamie Snowden/Richie
McLernon) won
the Handicap Chase [3 miles 2 furlongs] (9 ran). https://mobile.twitter.com/jamiesnowden/status/830427224859955201/photo/1 There are a number of runners of interest at Exeter tomorrow: 13:50 Fortified Bay (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
– NH Novices’ Hurdle 14:50 Solstice Star (Martin Keighley/Killian Moore)
– Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Qualifier) 15:40 Carraig Mor (Alan King/Noel Fehily) –
Graduation Chase; he returns after an absence of 674 days and faces Alary,
Henri Parry Morgan and Tea For Two. 16:20 Minella Charmer
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Chase 16:50 Harefield (Alan
King/ Wayne Hutchinson) – Intermediate Open NH Flat Race The talented Finian’s
Oscar runs in the Listed Novices’ Hurdle at 14:20. Whilst enjoying the racing this afternoon, I
knitted a snood. I had 3 balls of Sirdar Indie yarn in my stash; I recall buying them many
moons ago during a trip to Hobbycraft. I understand
Indie has been discontinued by the manufacturer more recently. My tension tends to be loose, so I used
size 10 needles instead of 12, and a loop design intended for use with Sirdar’s Smudge yarn.
I even knitted the ends together at the same time as I cast off; I’m
very pleased with it. J I’ve also remembered that I have 2 balls of
purple chenille yarn … they would make a lovely snood too! I’ve also got 3 balls of Flutterby chenille yarn to make a snood or scarf and a
hat! It’s amazing what I find in my
yarn stash ... every keen knitter has one!
One of my work colleagues, Joelle, has a stash of yarn to knit
socks. It has been reported that the American owners of
Clinton Cards may close a large percentage of their high-street stores; they
have been refurbishing many of them, but the leases on others are due to run
out soon: The
problem is that high streets are dying on their feet at present, due to the
high rates and the mushrooming of internet shopping; they are being replaced
by coffee shops and restaurants, etc.
There used to be three independent knitting/crafts shops in St Albans;
just one remains … and I’m as guilty as the next person of shopping online
because there’s just so much more choice thereon. |
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Friday
10 February 2017 |
|
Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Bangor-on-Dee: Don’tminddboys (Robin Dickin/Charlie Poste/EPDS
Racing) was pulled up and Godsmejudge (David Dennis/Noel
Fehily) was also pulled up in the Handicap Chase [3
miles 5 furlongs & 142 yards] (11 ran). Kempton Park: Jazzy (Martin Keighley/Killian Moore) finished
5th in the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (11 ran). Ballymountain Boy (Martin Keighley/Andrew
Tinkler) finished 4th in the Novices’ Hurdle Div I
(10 ran). Thomas Shelby (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished 4th
in the Novices’ Hurdle Div II (9 ran). Bulfin Island (Alan
King/Kevin Dowling) finished 9th & both Viking Mistress (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) and Pattara
(Noel Williams/William Featherstone) were non-runners in the Handicap Hurdle
[2 miles 5 furlongs] (16 ran); Bulfin Island’s
chances were compromised when he made a bad mistake just after half way. Cup Of Ambition (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished last in the Maiden Open NH Flat Race
(16 ran). As expected, Politologue
won the Graduation Chase in style, the winning distance exaggerated after
Pain Au Chocolat made a serious error at the second
last. I was surprised to see Will Kennedy riding today,
as he received a 2-day ban at Doncaster on 27 January – perhaps he launched a
successful appeal. Wayne sat out
today, but will be riding at Newbury tomorrow – was his ban reduced, or
commuted to serve the second day at a different time? Considering it’s a busy day of NH racing
tomorrow, there aren’t many runners of interest: Newbury: 13:15 Azzerti (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle 15:35 William H Bonney
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Betfair Hurdle
(Grade 3) 16:45 Kayf Mariner
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Dans Le Vent
(Jamie Snowden/Richard Johnson) – Standard Open NH Flat Race (Listed) The Grade 2 Denman Chase takes place at 14:25 and
features 3 runners – Bristol De Mai, Native River and Le Mercurey. The Grade 2 ‘Game
Spirit’ Chase will be run at 15:00 with 5 declared – Fox Norton, Altior, Dodging Bullets, Gino Trail and Traffic Fluide. Uttoxeter (which is subject to
a 07:30 inspection): 14:20 Lunar Flow (Jamie Snowden/Richie McLernon) – Handicap Chase [3 miles 2 furlongs] There are no runners of interest at Warwick. There was a scare at Newbury today, with what
appeared at first to be an unexploded bomb discovered on site, although well
away from the main grandstands area.
However, having called in the bomb squad, the object turned out to be
an old fire extinguisher!!! Wildehearted Woman (aka Wilma) is
reported to be making good progress in her recovery from the career-ending
injury. But the conflict created in
connection to Menace’s removal from Hannah Bishop’s loving care does shake
one’s confidence somewhat. It has
since been stressed that they never sell any of their ex-racers, solely loan
them out. So, with Menace continuing
to suffer from mild lameness, I presume EPDS has decided to take control of
his treatment and thus the costs too; I guess they can only do that by
looking after him themselves. It’s a
shame that they didn’t take Menace immediately into their care when he was
retired and then, once sound, loan him out to Hannah, rather than the other
way around. I guess hindsight is a
wonderful thing. I just hope Menace is
happy in his new home, with his new horsey friends – Wilma and Shilpa. It’s been sleeting today and I was out and about this
morning. I walked to town to buy a
lotto ticket in WH Smiths, and to sort out a new mobile phone contract with
O2. As I like my current Samsung
phone, I decided to go with a Sim only contract
moving forward, and it saves money too!
I also popped into M & S, Boots, Superdrug, The Works, Waterstones and Wilkinsons,
plus the local supermarket on my way home. A number of these shop visits were because I was
searching for Simple Regeneration age resisting eye cream ... I drew a blank,
although I found numerous tubes of Simple Eye Balm on sale. Having got home,
I checked the Boots online shop and have now ordered 3, for the price of 2,
tubes of this product. J I shall collect them
from the high street shop on Monday. I
love order and collect; it saves so much money … although I would have saved
more if I’d not bought anything in the first place!!! I must be
ill, as the only purchase I made whilst out, apart from the phone contract
and lotto ticket, was 4 notebooks and 4 plastic wallets in Wilkinsons and they only cost a total of £8.00. |
|
Thursday
09 February 2017 |
|
Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Huntingdon: Messire Des Obeaux (Alan King/Daryl Jacob) finished 2nd in the
Novices’ Hurdle (Listed); the race was won by Keeper Hill, trained by Warren Greatrex and owned by the McNeill Family. Who Dares Wins (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished
3rd and Gibralfaro (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 6th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs & 137 yards] (10
ran). Lerichi Belle (Martin
Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 5th and Passing
Call (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Mares’ Standard Open NH
Flat Race Div I (9 ran). Doncaster: Three Ways (Jamie Snowden/Miss
Page Fuller) won the Handicap
Hurdle (Qualifier) [3 miles & 84 yards] (11 ran). A far happier trip to Donny than late last
month when Jamie lost Orchard Park. Jamie is hoping to run Three Ways at the
Cheltenham Festival, in the Pertemps Final, as the
horse is qualified; fingers crossed he’s not balloted out. Chelmsford: Celtic
Artisan (Rebecca Menzies/Paula Muir/EPDS Racing) won the Apprentice Handicap [1 mile 2 furlongs] (13 ran). Lingfield Park: Dalavand (Lauren Mongan/Ollie Jago/Ex-AppleTree Stud) finished 4th in the Handicap Div
II [1 mile 5 furlongs] (10 ran). There are a number of runners of interest
tomorrow: Bangor-on-Dee: 15:20 Don’tminddboys
(Robin Dickin/Charlie Poste/EPDS
Racing) & Godsmejudge (David Dennis/Noel Fehily) – Handicap Chase [3 miles 5 furlongs & 142
yards] Kempton Park: 13:40 Jazzy (Martin Keighley/Killian Moore) –
Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 14:10 Ballymountain Boy
(Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Novices’ Hurdle
Div I 14:40 Thomas Shelby (Alan King/Tom Cannon) –
Novices’ Hurdle Div II 15:45 Bulfin Island
(Alan King/Kevin Dowling) & Viking Mistress (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) & Pattara (Noel
Williams/William Featherstone) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs] 16:50 Cup Of Ambition (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Maiden Open NH Flat Race There are just two entries for the Graduation
Chase, namely Pain Au Chocolat and Politologue. Having taken a crunching fall at Kempton Park on
Boxing Day, when certain of winning, Might Bite returned to action in style
at Doncaster: Following the premature death of Walter Swinburn, the coroner has recorded a verdict of
accidental death; he fell from a window and suffered a fatal head
injury. http://www.racinguk.com/news/article/49029/walter-swinburn-died-after-falling-from-bathroom-window I’m on
annual leave tomorrow and Monday.
However, at the moment, I’m feeling a bit icky … |
|
Wednesday
08 February 2017 |
|
Here are today’s
results for my runners of interest at Ludlow: Bettatogether (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) fell 2 out and Midnight Jitterbug (Noel Williams/Ian Popham) finished 4th in the NH Maiden Hurdle (15 ran). Label
Des Obeaux (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Novices’ Chase (4 ran). Tara
View (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Mares’ Handicap
Hurdle (7 ran). Master Blueyes (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Juvenile Hurdle (12 ran). Beneagles (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd, beaten
a short-head, in the Maiden Hurdle (10 ran). That’s Wayne’s 62nd, 63rd and 64th winners of the season. He’s obviously stocking up on winners ahead
of his 2-day whip ban which comes into effect this coming Friday and
Saturday! Will Kennedy was also
awarded a 2-day ban following the same Doncaster race when they fought out
the finish ... and, strangely enough, Will also rode a treble today, at
Carlisle!!! Huntingdon: 14:20 Messire Des Obeaux (Alan
King/Daryl Jacob) – Novices’ Hurdle (Listed) 14:50 Who
Dares Wins (Alan King/Tom Cannon) & Gibralfaro
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs & 137
yards] 15:55 Lerichi Belle (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler)
& Passing Call (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) - Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat
Race Div I Doncaster: 15:30
Three Ways (Jamie Snowden/Miss Page Fuller) – Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) [3
miles & 84 yards] Chelmsford: 17:50
Celtic Artisan (Rebecca Menzies/Paula Muir/EPDS
Racing) – Apprentice Handicap [1 mile 2 furlongs] Lingfield Park: 15:40 Dalavand (Lauren Mongan/Ollie Jago/Ex-AppleTree Stud) –
Handicap Div II [1 mile 5 furlongs] It
transpires that Hannah Bishop was very surprised that EPDS Racing wanted to
take Menace back into their care; she’d hoped that she, or at least Mrs Prowting, would be permitted to purchase him at some
point and keep him for life. Needless
to say, relationships are now very strained.
It’s such a shame when friendship is destroyed all because of horses
and their perceived care, but it seems to happen regularly within horseracing
circles. Mark Bradstock has issued a ‘positive bulletin’ regarding Coneygree
and hopes to have him back in action at either Aintree or Punchestown. With
overnight temperatures expected to plummet below zero overnight on Thursday
and Friday, Newbury covered their track yesterday. It’s predicted temperatures will rise to a
maximum of 3 degrees on Saturday, with a wind chill factor making it feel
even colder! Tomorrow
is my ‘Friday’ ... I’m still very
busy at work but can’t put off taking my 2016 carried-forward days much
longer, as time is running out. I’ve
also booked Monday as holiday; my car is being serviced. |
|
Tuesday
07 February 2017 |
|
There were
5 runners of interest today and this is how they fared: Market Rasen: Getback In Paris (Jamie Snowden/Aidan Coleman) finished
5th in the Juvenile Hurdle (8 ran). Bastien (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the
NH Novices’ Hurdle (7 ran). Awesome
Rosie (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the Handicap Hurdle [2
miles 4 furlongs & 139 yards] (11 ran). Handsome
Sam (Alan King/William Featherstone) finished 2nd in the Novices’ Limited
Handicap Chase (6 ran). Hereford: Kaspian Tern (Jamie
Snowden/Tom O’Brien) was pulled up in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (5 ran). Tomorrow’s
runners of interest at Ludlow are as follows: 13:40 Bettatogether (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Midnight
Jitterbug (Noel Williams/Ian Popham) – NH Maiden
Hurdle 14:10
Label Des Obeaux (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Novices’ Chase 14:40 Tara
View (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 15:40
Master Blueyes (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Juvenile Hurdle 16:50 Beneagles (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Maiden Hurdle Cliffs Of
Dover picked up a knock prior to his absence from Musselburgh last weekend,
so Paul Nicholls isn’t sure if his only Triumph Hurdle entry will be ready in
time for the Cheltenham Festival; just five weeks away now! If not, he could go to Aintree instead. Ar Mad will miss the Festival as connections don’t
wish to rush him; he may go to Aintree or Punchestown. I presume
one of AppleTree Stud’s mares is expecting a
Frankel foal to arrive at any moment: https://mobile.twitter.com/Choc_Thornton/status/828295843199479810/photo/1 Menace has
returned into the direct care of EPDS Racing; he joins Wildehearted
Woman at the EPDS Equine livery yard of their Managing Partner Tracey Sloan
in Berkshire. Sadly he’s still got a
few soundness issues, so these need to be sorted out before they can find him
a suitable loan home. Pride Of Pemberley has come out his bumper race very well and it’s
yet to be decided if he goes to the Goffs/DBS Sales
race at Newbury or a lower grade race at a stiffer track such as Towcester or Carlisle.
He’s a galloper, rather than a speedy type, so a longer distance over
hurdles next season will suit him better. With
worries over work, I’ve not been sleeping well; I woke before 04:00 this
morning and haven’t been to sleep since then.
I’m in an angry frame of mind for much of the time, and I’m also now
flagging due to lack of rest ... |
|
Monday
06 February 2017 |
|
Just one runner of interest today, at Wolverhampton: Celtic
Artisan (Rebecca Menzies/Oisin Murphy/EPDS
Racing) won the Handicap [1 mile
141 yards] (13 ran). There are
5 runners of interest tomorrow: Market Rasen: 13:50 Getback In Paris (Jamie Snowden/Aidan Coleman) – Juvenile
Hurdle 14:50 Bastien (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – NH Novices’ Hurdle 15:25
Awesome Rosie (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4
furlongs & 139 yards] 16:00
Handsome Sam (Alan King/William Featherstone) – Novices’ Limited Handicap
Chase Hereford: 15:50 Kaspian Tern (Jamie Snowden/Tom O’Brien) – Mares’
Handicap Hurdle There was
news today that both Faugheen and Min will miss the
Cheltenham Festival. Faugheen has a stress fracture of his right-hand ilium bone; that’s in his rump evidently. And Min has a bone bruise on one of his
cannon bones. Talk about fortunes
changing within the space of a year.
So I guess Gordon Elliott will be leading the Irish charge this year,
not Willie Mullins. |
|
Sunday
05 February 2017 |
|
Here are yesterday’s results for my runners of
interest: Wetherby: Skipthecuddles (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) won
the Novices’ Hurdle (8 ran). Ami Desbois (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods/EPDS Racing) won the
Handicap Hurdle [3 miles & 26 yards] (8 ran). A link to Racing UK’s twitter feed, showing Ami
passing the winning post: https://mobile.twitter.com/Racing_UK/status/827902480591646721/photo/1 And an article about Graeme’s McPherson’s
race-day double: http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/article/465/10756210/graeme-mcpherson-enjoys-wetherby-double RUK’s/ITV’s Rishi Persad described Ami as “just admirable from top to bottom” … Ami is collecting quite a
fan base due to his preferred front-running style, his ability to jump well,
and to battle for all he is worth in a finish! Pride Of Pemberley
(Jamie Snowden/Aidan Coleman/EPDS Racing) finished 4th in the Standard Open
NH Flat Race (11 ran). Here is a picture of Pride of Pemberley
following the race, courtesy of Jamie Snowden’s twitter feed.
I wish I could afford to be part of his syndicate
L although, having named him, I do feel like an
honorary member. Sandown Park: Coeur De
Lion (Alan
King/Tom Cannon) won the Novices’
Hurdle (9 ran). http://www.racinguk.com/news/article/48908/coeur-de-lion-roars-at-sandown-for-alan-king Pearls Legend (John Spearing/Richard Johnson)
finished 6th in the Handicap Chase [1 mile 7 furlongs & 119 yards] (7 ran);
but he was returning to action following a longer than usual, for him, break. This is what you call a proper selfie … Brodie Hampson with Sandown winner Lord of the Island, trained
by Fergal O’Brien: https://mobile.twitter.com/FOBRacing/status/828163309694251009/photo/1 Musselburgh: 13:30 Fidux (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Triumph Hurdle Trial (Listed). The race was won by Her Majesty the Queen’s Forth
Bridge; Fidux carries the dark blue and white
colours: http://www.racinguk.com/news/article/48910/royal-runner-forth-bridge-triumphs-at-musselburgh Yanworth will be back
cantering on Tuesday, following his minor muscle-pull setback. I wonder which horse Barry Geraghty will chose to ride
following yesterday’s impressive victory by Buveur D’Air in the Listed Contenders Hurdle at Sandown? Perhaps Yanworth
is a better bet for the 2 mile 4 furlong Aintree Hurdle in April. Top Notch won the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’
Chase in style to book a place at Cheltenham, probably in the JLT
Novices. http://www.racinguk.com/news/article/48912/top-notch-performance-at-sandown There were no runners of interest today. Just one runner of interest tomorrow, at Wolverhampton: 17:50 Celtic Artisan (Rebecca Menzies/Oisin Murphy/EPDS Racing) – Handicap [1 mile 141 yards] I’m still being useless with regards to finding
the motivation to do things at home … even if it’s just to knit a woollen
hat, as I have got a stash of wool … no surprise there then! I have, however, restrung one of my
necklaces which had become seriously tarnished because it had silver-plated
findings rather than sterling silver; the latter cleans, whereas the former
does not. And, last
but definitely not least, many happy returns of the day to my niece Lydia. |
|
Friday 03
February 2017 |
|
As there were no runners of interest today, due
to Chepstow being waterlogged, I decided against writing a blog yesterday …
so here are yesterday’s results for my runners of interest at Wincanton: Midnight Maestro (Alan King/Barry Geraghty) finished 2nd and Sir Antony Browne (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the
Novices’ Hurdle (8 ran); Wayne’s 61st
winner of the
season. Alan was concerned that Sir
Antony Browne might not retain all his ability following a tie-back wind
operation, so he’ll be very pleased with this. Naranja (Jamie Snowden/Nick Scholfield) was a non-runner in the Mares’ NH Novices’
Hurdle River Frost (Alan King/Barry Geraghty)
fell during the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs & 166 yards] (9 ran). Cogburn (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 7th in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (11 ran). There are runners of interest ‘all over the place’ tomorrow: Wetherby: 14:15 Skipthecuddles
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Novices’ Hurdle;
the ‘tongue-less’ horse! 15:20 Ami Desbois
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods/EPDS Racing) –
Handicap Hurdle [3 miles & 26 yards] 16:25 Pride Of Pemberley
(Jamie Snowden/Aidan Coleman/EPDS Racing) – Standard Open NH Flat Race ‘Colin’
is doing okay for pilots – Richard Johnson on his debut run and Aidan Coleman
tomorrow! Sandown Park: 12:40 Coeur De Lion (Alan King/Tom Cannon) –
Novices’ Hurdle 13:15 Pearls Legend (John Spearing/Richard
Johnson) – Handicap Chase [1 mile 7 furlongs & 119 yards] Musselburgh: 13:30 Fidux (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Triumph Hurdle Trial (Listed); he will be Alan’s first runner
at the Scottish track. The trainer
obviously had a change of heart about the trip, as he stated in his Weekender
column that it was odds against the long journey taking place! I’ve no
plans for the weekend; I’m still unsettled due to the plans for the office
relocation later in the year. I’m also
grumpy, because I’d hoped to take half a day’s holiday today but had too much
work to do. I’ve still got 3½ days
leave to take before the end of the month. |
|
Wednesday
01 February 2017 |
|
Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Leicester: Carningli (Jamie Snowden/Daryl Jacob) finished 6th in the
Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (9 ran). Laser Light
(Alan King/Daryl Jacob) finished 3rd in the NH Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (5
ran). Kempton
Park: Zabeel Star (Graeme McPherson/Robert Winston) finished
4th in the Handicap (Qualifier) [1 mile 3 furlongs] (12 ran). There are
five runners of interest tomorrow, at Wincanton: 13:25
Midnight Maestro (Alan King/Barry Geraghty) &
Sir Antony Browne (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle 14:35 Naranja (Jamie Snowden/Nick Scholfield)
– Mares’ NH Novices’ Hurdle 15:10
River Frost (Alan King/Barry Geraghty) – Handicap
Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs & 166 yards] 16:45 Cogburn (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Standard Open NH
Flat Race There’s
further good news regarding Wilma; EPDS Racing has now come to an agreement
with her owner/breeder and can now keep her.
Once she’s recovered from her injury, she will become a broodmare. Yanworth has suffered a minor setback, he’s tweaked his
hindquarters. As a result, he won’t
run in the Contenders’ Hurdle at Sandown Park on Saturday; Buveur D’Air will represent owner
JP McManus instead. Alan’s new plan is
to run Yanworth in the Kingwell
Hurdle at Wincanton on 18 February, along with his other yard representative Sceau Royal. Once more,
I’m so busy at work that I’m getting forgetful. Today I forgot to bring home my lunch-box
and my copy of the Weekender too.
Needless to say, I had to eat my lunch whilst I was working, and I’ve
not had time to read Alan King’s column yet either. |
