JUNE 2015

Tuesday 30 June 2015
RIP Kauto Star Pictured here following his 5th and final victory in the King George VI Chase in December 2011 And to think all four of the Paul Nicholls stars – Big Buck’s, Denman, Master Minded and Kauto Star were reunited by Channel 4 ahead of this year’s Cheltenham Festival ... and now there are just three of them remaining and it can never happen again. L It’s like the Beatles losing John Lennon or the Four Musketeers losing one of their number. Here is the report about Kauto Star’s accident from the ATR website: More Trainer Paul Nicholls pays tribute to his former charge. More Ruby Walsh too: More And also AP McCoy: More Here is Alastair Down’s tribute to Kauto Star shown as part of the aforementioned ‘class’ reunion in March: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoIZUg_G9lY&feature=youtu.be And Kauto Star’s final King George VI Chase win in 2011: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ6cCOLy5eE Haydock Park has put together a tribute to Kauto Star, relating to his Betfair Chase triumphs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhOvEcG0zGY And there’s more, with Danielle Baker (daughter of Clifford) interviewing those closely associated with Kauto Star shortly after his retirement ... and before Clive Smith sent him to Laura Collett, much to the surprise of the trainer et al: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLXUsxaEYxQ This ATR film is from 2010 but interesting; it relates to Kauto Star and other French-bred horses in National Hunt racing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x43xv4Kezig And this ATR film is about the origins of Denman in Ireland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4fy-NtqBhw Talking of the Tattersalls Derby Sale in Ireland which took place recently, Alan King and Highflyer Bloodstock made a couple of purchases – one by Stowaway and another named Handsome Sam by Black Sam Bellamy. Here are today’s results for my runners of interest at Stratford: Jeans Lady (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 9th in the Maiden Hurdle (12 ran). Kings Bayonet (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) was a non-runner in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 70 yards] Pattara (Noel Williams/Gerard Tumelty) was pulled up in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 6 furlongs & 7 yards] (13 ran). There’s National Hunt racing from Perth and Worcester tomorrow, but no runners of interest. I’m not looking forward to tomorrow ... it’s going to be an absolute scorcher in the London area!!!
Monday 29 June 2015
There are three runners of interest tomorrow, at Stratford: 18:30 Jeans Lady (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Maiden Hurdle 19:30 Kings Bayonet (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 70 yards] 20:30 Pattara (Noel Williams/Gerard Tumelty) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 6 furlongs & 7 yards] Menace’s return has been postponed until next Monday at Worcester, as Noel wishes to give him one or two further gallops prior to a race. Following his run in yesterday’s Summer Cup at Uttoxeter, The Package has now been retired. More I walk to work and, today, I saw a lady walking two Pointers ... one of which was liver and speckled white, just like Choc and William’s puppy Optimus Prime! So that is a bit of a coincidence.
Sunday 28 June 2015
Here are the results for my runners of interest at Uttoxeter today: Laser Blazer (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 6th in the Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs 168 yards] (8 ran). Benbane Head (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) finished 13th in the Summer Cup Listed Handicap Chase (17 ran). For the record, Midnight Appeal finished 12th. The race was won by Shuil Royale for Harry Fry and Noel Fehily; the jockey was so keen to ride the horse that he wasted down to 10 stone 7 pounds – which was one pound overweight! Solstice Star (Martin Keighley/Killian Moore) finished 4th in the Handicap Hurdle Div I [2 miles 3 furlongs 207 yards] (9 ran). But Wayne Hutchinson did ride his 5th winner of the season when partnering Oculist to victory in the first race today. There’s no National Hunt racing tomorrow. I went for a 3 to 4 mile walk this morning; then had my hair trimmed. It then rained, but the sun came out, intermittently, later in the day. And I’ve finally proofed and uploaded one of my outstanding diaries – namely Cheltenham Festival Day 4.
Saturday 27 June 2015
It’s been very quiet for the past couple of days ... but there are three runners of interest tomorrow, at Uttoxeter: 15:00 Laser Blazer (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs 168 yards] 15:35 Benbane Head (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) – Summer Cup Listed Handicap Chase. Midnight Appeal also runs in this race for his new connections; his trainer is Sophie Leech and I hope his recent jumping issues are sorted. 17:15 Solstice Star (Martin Keighley/Killian Moore) – Handicap Hurdle Div I [2 miles 3 furlongs 207 yards] My sole visit to Uttoxeter was for this particular fixture, back in 2008. Although, of course, I drive around the Uttoxeter bypass every year on my way to Aintree. I have some Choc and William news ... they now have a puppy ... a Pointer I think. He’s liver and speckled white in colour and has been named ‘Optimus Prime’ – that’s a character from Transformers. I did some gardening this morning and really need to do some diary proof-reading ... where are my glasses?
Wednesday 24 June 2015
Here are today’s results for my runners of interest at Worcester: Jeans Lady (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) was a non-runner in the Novices’ Hurdle due to a going change. Bobble Emerald (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 6th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs] (7 ran). Solstice Star (Martin Keighley/Christopher Ward) also a non-runner in the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle. There’s no National Hunt racing tomorrow. Choc’s son William took part in his nursery school’s sports day today ... and he won the egg and spoon race! His proud dad posted photographs on facebook. Lady Cecil is to retire from training at the end of this season, with Warren Place being sold. More Jockey Davy Condon has undergone surgery on his neck, following the serious problems which came to light following his fall during this year’s Grand National. https://mobile.twitter.com/MagLou2/status/613450568556744704/photo/1
Tuesday 23 June 2015
There are 3 runners of interest at Worcester tomorrow: 15:55 Jeans Lady (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Novices’ Hurdle 16:30 Bobble Emerald (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs] 17:35 Solstice Star (Martin Keighley/Christopher Ward) – Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Barry Geraghty has been speaking about his new role as JP McManus’ first jockey. More
Monday 22 June 2015
There’s no surprise that Barry Geraghty has been appointed as JP McManus’ number one jockey, following the retirement of AP McCoy. More There’s National Hunt racing at Newton Abbot tomorrow, but no runners of interest. Here is a photo of Champion Court, wrapped up safe and sound in his stable, following yesterday’s victory at Worcester: https://mobile.twitter.com/belindakeighley/status/612742816461127681/photo/1 And a photo (courtesy of Assistant Trainer Ollie Wardle) of a number of Alan King’s horses chilling out in the field during their summer holiday: https://mobile.twitter.com/WardleOllie/status/612658204938530817/photo/1
Sunday 21 June 2015
Champion Court (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler), who was top weight, won the feature Handicap Hurdle race [2 miles 4 furlongs] (12 ran); Martin’s 3rd winner of the season. The team having thoroughly walked the course, Champ raced wide and I was worried when he began to go hammer and tongs around the Cathedral bend with Ballyglasheen, but despite this and being under pressure down the home straight and headed at the last by Aficionado, he stayed on towards the line and re-grabbed the lead by a head at the winning post! It’s great to see the oldies win! There’s no National Hunt racing tomorrow. Long Run will be going Hunter Chasing when he returns from injury later in the year. More I’ve had a busy day doing housework and gardening, including clipping a privet hedge with manual sheers, plus paying a visit to St Stephen’s Church to place flowers on my grandparents/dad’s grave. Hopefully my elbows, forearms and wrists will be okay tomorrow because I’ve been suffering from pain therein these past few months; I believe it is caused by picking up reams of paper to place in the photocopier at work, and having to rest heavy envelopes on my left arm in order to open doors between my office and the post-room ... because that is when they hurt the most.
Saturday 20 June 2015
Ryan Moore ended Royal Ascot with 9 winners, as he failed to add to his tally today. Evidently they are describing his achievement as a ‘modern day’ record – as Fred Archer still holds the overall record of 12 from the 1878! Not much good news today ... Stravagante, having been pulled up in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot yesterday, underwent surgery for a fractured cannonbone but could not be saved. More RIP And Australian Takeover Target too, having suffered a freak accident in retirement which resulted in a broken leg; it sounds like it was due to wear and tear following a previous repair. More Chaninbar has also passed away in retirement following a small operation ... he certainly was a character! https://mobile.twitter.com/HorseRacingRIP/status/612166138135511040/photo/1 But I’ve finally completed the last of my four diary drafts ... so now begins the proof-reading!
Friday 19 June 2015
Kylie Minogue met Frankel today; she’s performing at Newmarket after racing this evening: https://mobile.twitter.com/kylieminogue/status/611953996530622464/video/1 There’s no surprise that Ryan Moore rode yet another winner at Royal Ascot today and has thus set a new record. More There are no National Hunt fixtures tomorrow, but there’s one runner of interest at Worcester on Sunday: 17:20 Champion Court (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs] I’ve no plans for the weekend so, all being well, I aim to complete my final Aintree diary tomorrow.
Thursday 18 June 2015
There were three runners of interest at Ffos Las this evening and this is how they fared: Howwrongcanyoube (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 6th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs 191 yards] (8 ran). Prettyasapicture (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs] (8 ran). Say When (Alan King/Jamie Insole) finished last in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles] (11 ran); and that despite Jamie claiming 10 pounds! It was one of those sun-affected evenings, with the hurdles in the home straight being dolled off. Thus during the longest of these races they jumped 6 flights ... and in the shortest just 3! Trip To Paris, ridden by Graham Lee, won the Ascot Gold Cup. More I wonder how many Grand National-winning jockeys have also ridden the winner of this race ... The Queen’s horse Capel Path, which was pulled up injured during the Britannia Handicap, was being assessed this evening by the vets. More Jimmy Fortune is expected to be out of action for up to two months having fractured vertebrae when Spark Plug clipped heels and fell in yesterday’s Royal Hunt Cup. At the present time it’s Ryan Moore 8, all the other jockeys 10! That means he has now equalled the record number of wins at a single Royal Ascot which was jointly held by Pat Eddery and Lester Piggott. He has two days still to go, although in the olden days the fifth day was an Ascot Heath meeting, not a Royal Day. Charlie Longsdon and his wife were invited to take part in the Queen’s procession yesterday, and Alice Plunkett and husband William Fox-Pitt rode in one of the Royal carriages today. Another cartoon from Darren Bird ... this must refer to the policemen and women who took a selfie with Ryan Moore: https://mobile.twitter.com/DarrenBirdie/status/611612311762116608/photo/1 It appears that my twitter account has reverted back to mobile twitter on my ancient laptop again ... how annoying. There’s National Hunt racing at Market Rasen tomorrow, but no runners of interest.
Wednesday 17 June 2015
There were three runners of interest at Uttoxeter today and this is how they fared: Maldivian Reef (Alan King/Denis O’Regan) finished 7th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs 70 yards] (Div I) (12 ran). Kyles Faith (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) finished 6th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs 70 yards] (Div II) (8 ran). Georgian King (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 5th in the Handicap Chase [3 miles 2 furlongs 13 yards] (8 ran). There are three runners of interest at Ffos Las tomorrow: 20:15 Howwrongcanyoube (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs 191 yards] 20:45 Prettyasapicture (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs] 21:15 Say When (Alan King/Jamie Insole) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles] ... the infamous Say When is still in training then, despite crocking Choc, and injuring Jamie and fatally injuring a rival on his last outing too. Alan King also owns the horse. Menace is provisionally pencilled in to run at Stratford on Tuesday 30 June; it’s an evening meeting. Shame it’s not a Sunday at Stratford ... Celtic Artisan is recovering from an operation on his off-hind; it is thought that he may have had an argument with a water-trough in his field because he damaged a splint bone and, as a result, a number of small bone fragments have been removed to prevent infection.
Tuesday 16 June 2015
There are three runners of interest tomorrow, at Uttoxeter: 15:55 Maldivian Reef (Alan King/Denis O’Regan) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs 70 yards] (Div I) 16:35 Kyles Faith (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs 70 yards] (Div II) 17:45 Georgian King (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Handicap Chase [3 miles 2 furlongs 13 yards] Spotted at Royal Ascot today ... AP McCoy: https://twitter.com/Channel4Racing/status/610854316602195968/photo/1 Gok Wan and Lawney Hill: https://twitter.com/LawneyHill/status/610848289316040704/photo/1 Willie Mullins trained a winner, Klondaw Warrior, which is part-owned by Ruby’s Walsh’s wife Gillian. Ruby Walsh (pictured with Katie Walsh?): https://twitter.com/Channel4Racing/status/610843030149578752/photo/1 Handazan, who is now trained by Ben Case, finished 15th of the 19 runners. Meanwhile, at Stratford, Nico de Boinville’s dog Edgar was chilling out: https://twitter.com/stratfordraces/status/610832487326044160/photo/1 I’ve booked my hotel accommodation for Aintree 2016 – just two nights again, as I’ve decided it is cheaper to call out the RAC if I have further problems with my car bonnet, rather than pay for an extra night’s accommodation. Although, having said that, I do hate the aggro! But, regardless, I’m going to request that my Ford dealer replaces the two ‘stoppers’ with new ones; I think that the engine heat has made them less pliable over the years.
Monday 15 June 2015
I spent a couple of hours yesterday at the Oaklands College Summer Fayre; I went before lunch, although it was drizzling with rain at first. I saw a number of my favourite sheep – the Kerry Hill – and there was lamb racing too. As usual I took a short walk to the equestrian centre, and did a tour of the animal centre; the guinea pigs and rabbits are cute but I’m not too keen on the snakes! There was a morris dancing display, stalls and a horseball demonstration too. Then, in the evening, I drove over to Watford to meet up with Lesley for Pasha Kovalev’s Life Through Dance show at the Colosseum. It was an excellent evening, we had seats in the second row but, as the three seats in front of us remained empty throughout, it was like being in the front row! Pasha danced with his original partner Anya, who has appeared on Strictly in the past, and there were two other couples dancing too. There was also a guest appearance by children from the local dance school. Three female members of the audience had the opportunity to meet their hero on stage, two of whom danced with him. I think they each wanted to take him home with them ... is he still dating Rachel Riley? There were no runners of interest today, at Southwell. And there are none at Stratford tomorrow either! The Kvilleken’s trip to Jersey was rewarded with a second place behind a Neil Mulholland-trained runner which had competed and won in Jersey before. Royal Ascot begins tomorrow ... I wonder if Choc will be attending as someone’s guest? The Apple Tree Stud perhaps? Loving this Darren Bird cartoon: https://twitter.com/DarrenBirdie/status/610519185937047553/photo/1
Saturday 13 June 2015
Steve Ayres had tweeted a photograph of Balder Succes’ sister ... she has been named Ayres Succes; how nice is that? https://twitter.com/orse_racing_lad/status/609441620325453824/photo/1 It was great to see Top Notch Tonto in the winners’ enclosure once more: https://twitter.com/ChampionsSeries/status/609743838513627136/photo/1 I hope you all watched the Henry Cecil and Frankel documentary shown earlier this evening on Channel 4. I really must get around to buying Brough Scott’s biography about the great trainer, as it’s been on my must read list for ages. I’ve still got a £10 Amazon voucher won last December in my employer’s advert calendar draw, so the purchase seems an obvious choice. Having been doing a little bit of research whilst writing my Aintree diaries, I came across this extract from Wikipedia regarding rides and wins in the Grand National: Professionals now hold dominance in the Grand National and better training, dietary habits and protective clothing has ensured that riders' careers last much longer and offer more opportunities to ride in the race. Of the 34 riders who have enjoyed 13 or more rides in the race, 19 had their first ride in the 20th century and 11 had careers that continued into or started in the 21st century. Despite that, the record of 19 rides in the race was set by Tom Olliver back in 1859 and was not equalled until 2014 by A. P. McCoy. Longevity is no guarantee of success, however, as 13 of the 34 never tasted the glory of winning the race. McCoy is the only rider to successfully remove himself from the list after winning at the 15th attempt in 2010. Richard Johnson set a record of 19 failed attempts to win the race from 1997-2015, having finished second twice, but is still competing. The other 12 riders who never won or have not as yet won, having had more than 12 rides in the race are: David Casey (1997-2015): finished third once in 15 attempts Jeff King (1964-1980): finished third once in 15 attempts Graham Bradley (1983-1999): finished second once in 14 attempts Bill Parvin (1926–1939): finished second once in 14 attempts Tom Scudamore (2001-2015): never in first three in 14 attempts Robert Thornton (1997–2011): never in first three in 14 attempts Chris Grant (1980–1994): finished second thrice in 13 attempts Stan Mellor (1956–1971): finished second once in 13 attempts George Waddington (1861–1882): finished second once in 13 attempts Walter White (1854–1869): finished second once in 13 attempts David Nicholson (1957-1973): never in first three in 13 attempts Andrew Thornton (1996-2013): never in first three in 13 attempts Peter Scudamore technically lined up for thirteen Grand Nationals without winning but the last of those was the void race of 1993, which meant that he officially competed in twelve Nationals. Many other well-known jockeys have failed to win the Grand National. These include champion jockeys such as Terry Biddlescombe, John Francome, Josh Gifford, Stan Mellor, Jonjo O’Neill (who never finished the race) and Fred Rimell. Three jockeys who led over the last fence in the National but lost the race on the run-in ended up as television commentators: Lord Oaksey (on Carrickbeg in 1963), Norman Williamson (on Mely Moss in 2000), and Richard Pitman (on Crisp in 1973). Pitman's son Mark also led over the last fence, only to be pipped at the post when riding Garrison Savannah in 1991. This being the case, AP must now hold the record for the most rides in the Grand National, at 20 ... until next year when, all being well, Richard Johnson will equal it. Although, holding the current record for the most failed attempts is not one which he’d probably wish to hold but does! There’s good news regarding my Aintree diaries ... they are all complete bar the Grand National comments, and these will be written next weekend. Although, of course, four diaries will still need to be proof-read before they are uploaded.
Friday 12 June 2015
There was one runner of interest today, at Aintree: Dardanella (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (6 ran). Solstice Star was a non-runner at Newton Abbot. The sole National Hunt fixture tomorrow takes place at Hexham, therefore no runners of interest; and there are no jumps fixtures on Sunday. The Kvilleken runs over hurdles in Jersey tomorrow evening. Dueling Banjos (aka Pickle) has been sold and he’s left the Keighley yard to be sent to Kim Bailey; it is Martin Keighley’s birthday today, and my older brother Nick’s birthday too. At the moment, the weather seems remarkably ‘quiet’ considering thunderstorms and flash floods were forecast ... but I guess there is still time! I actually have plans for this weekend, or at least for Sunday – late morning I will be trotting down the road to the local Agricultural College’s Summer Fayre; they promise lamb racing again this year. J And on Sunday evening I’m off to Watford with Lesley to see Strictly Come Dancing’s Pasha perform in his own show. J
Thursday 11 June 2015
RIP Faultless Feelings There’s sad news today that Faultless Feelings, otherwise known as Basil, has been put to sleep following a long battle against the injury which forced his early retirement. He broke a pedal bone and Mrs Prowting’s Racing Manager Hannah Bishop has been lovingly overseeing his recuperation along with the Royal Veterinary College. It seemed that he was going to be okay and had been sound for some time when, this week, was discovered to be lame once more. Having consulted the experts, it became apparent that nothing else could be done to restore his quality of life without serious compromise so, with the horse’s welfare at heart, he was put to sleep. L Here are the results for today’s runners of interest at Uttoxeter: Gone Too Far (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Novices’ Handicap Chase (6 ran); Wayne’s 4th winner of the season. Fred Le Macon (Alan King/Jamie Insole) finished 3rd in the Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 168 yards] (9 ran). Midnight Cataria (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) was pulled up in the Handicap Chase [3 miles 2 furlongs] (9 ran). There are two runners of interest tomorrow: Newton Abbot: 17:05 Solstice Star (Martin Keighley/Killian Moore) – Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Aintree: 21:00 Dardanella (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle
Wednesday 10 June 2015
There is National Hunt racing at Worcester and Uttoxeter tomorrow, with runners of interest at the latter: 18:40 Gone Too Far (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Handicap Chase 19:10 Fred Le Macon (Alan King/Jamie Insole) – Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 168 yards] 19:40 Midnight Cataria (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Chase [3 miles 2 furlongs] Wayne has a ride at Worcester for Donald McCain before travelling to Staffordshire. Presenting Lisa returned to the Alan King yard yesterday following her summer holiday. Hurricane Fly is now having a holiday and will be brought back into training next winter before any decision is made as to whether he should be retired. More Andrew Thornton, who needs just 16 winners to reach his 1,000 milestone, fractured his left arm when Head Spin fell at Fontwell Park yesterday. He expects to be on the sidelines for around 8 weeks. Tonight is going to be Springwatch and Springwatch Unsprung followed by Long Lost Family, rather than Springwatch and Springwatch Unsprung followed by Aintree diary! This is probably for the best, as for the past two nights I’ve been up until just gone midnight working on my diary!
Tuesday 09 June 2015
There was National Hunt racing at Southwell this evening and this is how my one runner of interest fared: Fighter Jet (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 209 yards] (8 ran); looking at the race comments, I presume that many of the hurdles were omitted due to low sun! Choc’s mum was again acting as the false-start marshal at Southwell this evening. There’s no National Hunt racing tomorrow. It is reported that Newcastle has been given the go-ahead to convert its flat track to an all-weather surface; disgraceful. This means that, from next year, the Northumberland Plate will be run on the new surface. National Hunt racing will return as soon as the changes have been made although, this season, the Fighting Fifth Hurdle will need to find a temporary home. More AP McCoy will be taking part in the JCB Champions Challenge versus the event riders over a specially designed show-jumping course at the Barbury International Horse Trials on Saturday 11 July. Joining the jump jockeys’ team will be Richard Johnson, Sam Twiston-Davies and Wayne Hutchinson. The eventers’ team will include Andrew Nicholson and Sir Mark Todd. I had an inkling that the tennis fixture list was due to be amended at some point so that there would be three weeks between the end of the French Open and the beginning of Wimbledon; it comes into operation this year, with the latter tournament running from Monday 29 June until Sunday 12 July.
Monday 08 June 2015
There’s National Hunt racing at Fontwell Park and Southwell tomorrow, with one runner of interest at the latter: 19:25 Fighter Jet (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 209 yards] And news that National Hunt jockey Brian Toomey has been given the all clear to return to race riding following his near fatal fall at Perth in 2013. More
Sunday 07 June 2015
Champion Court was a non-runner in today’s Perth Gold Cup Handicap Chase [2 miles 7 furlongs & 180 yards] due to a change in the ground. David Pipe has made a successful raid on Paris, with Un Temps Pour Tout, ridden by James Reveley, winning the French Champion Hurdle. More Here’s the youtube video of yesterday’s heavy horses race at Lingfield Park; I understand it was Shires versus Clydesdales ... and won by Leighton Aspell! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLYgKy9T-hk Derby winning owner Anthony Oppenheimer has revealed his hopes and plans for Golden Horn following yesterday’s race. More Meanwhile, runner-up Jack Hobbs is expected to head to the Curragh for the Irish Derby at the end of the month. More I believe Choc attended the Derby yesterday as a guest; along with Gerard Tumelty and Sarah ‘Blazing Bailey’ Welford to name but two. And, of course, American Pharaoh became the first horse to win the America’s Triple Crown since 1978 ... OMG, that was the year that Choc was born! There’s no National Hunt racing tomorrow. The weather has been beautiful this weekend, so it was a pity I didn’t have any particular plans to go out and about. But I did venture out for a short walk early this morning, of around 4 miles. Maybe I should rejoin the Ramblers Association or the Chiltern Society and go on organised walks once more ... although my old boots will probably need to be replaced by now. I was very productive yesterday with regards my website, but not quite so dedicated today. However, I have completed my Aintree Ladies Day diary, which now needs to be proof-read; also all bar the feature event on my Grand National Day diary. And my Aintree Opening Day race comments have been started too!
Saturday 06 June 2015
Here are today’s results for my runners of interest at Worcester: Uriah Heep (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 4 furlongs] (9 ran). William H Bonney (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) was a non-runner in the Intermediate Standard Open NH Flat Race Laughingall Theway (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 7th in the Maiden Hurdle (Div I) (10 ran). Jeans Lady (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 4th in the Maiden Hurdle (Div II) (9 ran). Wayne Hutchinson had a good day, with two winners – Flying Light for Graeme Mcpherson and Always On The Run for Donald McCain - his 2nd and 3rd winners of the season. Sadly the David Pipe-trained Bathwick Man was a fatality at Worcester today. RIP. I’ve been dipping in and out of the racing this afternoon ... Worcester on ATR and Epsom on Channel 4; not because I prefer the C4 coverage but because it was easier to press one button to change channels rather than flicking between ATR and RUK! I enjoyed seeing the British homebred Golden Horn win the Derby under Frankie Dettori; it makes a change from the Irish hordes which have been running amok in the Classics in recent years! More Here is a very interesting article about the Oppenheimer family’s association with horse racing, and the fact that Golden Horn remained in his present ownership because he did not meet the reserve price when he went for auction as a yearling! More It was also good to see Pether’s Moon provide an upset by beating the two French raiders in the Coronation Cup. More There’s National Hunt racing at Perth tomorrow and one runner of interest: 16:25 Champion Court (Martin Keighley/Aidan Coleman) – Perth Gold Cup Handicap Chase [2 miles 7 furlongs & 180 yards] Richard Johnson has a busy day at the track with seven rides for Gordon Elliott, including Bless The Wings in the aforementioned race. Richard has already ridden over 30 winners this season and seems to be picking up rides left, right and centre in the absence of AP McCoy! The latter was a guest at Epsom today.
Friday 05 June 2015
Just one runner of interest today, my super-sub Twitterati syndicate horse, at Market Rasen: Galactic Power (Robin Dickin/Joseph Palmowski) finished 2nd in the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (5 ran). The race comments were as follows: In rear, driven 7th, chasing leaders approaching 2 out, upsides last, kept on to take modest 2nd last 50yds. The prize for finishing 2nd is £667.80. Qualify, a 50-1 outsider, won today’s Investec Oaks ... but she is still trained by Aidan O’Brien ... boring! More Warren Greatrex’s son, who is an apprentice jockey, won a race at Epsom today. More There’s National Hunt racing at Hexham and Worcester tomorrow, with four runners of interest at the latter: 14:20 Uriah Heep (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 4 furlongs] 15:30 William H Bonney (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Intermediate Standard Open NH Flat Race 17:30 Laughingall Theway (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Maiden Hurdle (Div I) 18:05 Jeans Lady (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Maiden Hurdle (Div II) ... one of my particular favourites, she’s a sweetie! Again I have no plans for the weekend ... except diary writing!
Thursday 04 June 2015
There were two runners of interest at Ffos Las this evening and this is how they fared: Mortlestown (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 4th in the Novices’ Handicap Chase (8 ran). Primo Capitano (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 4th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 191 yards] (8 ran). Just one runner of interest tomorrow, my super-sub Twitterati syndicate horse, at Market Rasen: 17:30 Galactic Power (Robin Dickin/Joseph Palmowski) – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle
Wednesday 03 June 2015
There are two runners of interest tomorrow, at Ffos Las: 17:50 Mortlestown (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Novices’ Handicap Chase 20:05 Primo Capitano (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 191 yards] Probably making his final appearance for the Twitterati syndicate, before Menace returns, Galactic Power is expected to run at either Market Rasen on Friday or Worcester on Saturday. Cinders and Ashes has been retired. https://twitter.com/donaldmccain/status/605831468590338051/photo/1 It has been reported that the sole Northern Irish racecourses, Down Royal and Downpatrick, may be forced to close due to a funding crisis. There’s further news regarding Jason Maguire as he recovers from his recent back surgery. More
Tuesday 02 June 2015
There were four runners of interest this evening at Southwell and this is how they fared: Thady Quil (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) was pulled up and Anti Cool (Robin Dickin/Charlie Poste – EPDS Racing) was also pulled up in the NH Maiden Hurdle (7 ran). Cearys (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 5th in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (9 ran). Prettyasapicture (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) fell during the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs & 62 yards] (6 ran); she was okay ... I really don’t like Southwell. There’s National Hunt racing at Fontwell Park tomorrow but no runners of interest. AP McCoy has been persuaded to ride in Doncaster’s Leger Legends Charity Race in September. He was attending the opening of the IJF’s northern rehabilitation centre today. More Shrewd Investment, who used to be trained by Alan King, lost his life at Stratford last Friday having been injured in a Hunter Chase. RIP. L
Monday 01 June 2015
There are four runners of interest tomorrow, at Southwell: 18:05 Thady Quil (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) & Anti Cool (Robin Dickin/Charlie Poste – EPDS Racing) - NH Maiden Hurdle 18:35 Cearys (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle 19:35 Prettyasapicture (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs & 62 yards] Those ‘exact’ distances I reported about a little while ago have now been introduced ... The weather is so unbelievably bad for the first evening in June, with rain beating against the window and the wind whistling in the chimney too!