Final Countdown

It was great to end the last week with a winner at Wincanton on Sunday with Manuelito winning division two of the novices hurdle over two miles with Jack Tudor riding.  He is a lovely big four year old, son of Cracksman, the first I have trained from this sire.  He had a few runs on the flat in the same ownership for Richard Hannon as a two and three year old and while he ran okay, he did not set the world alight and you can see why when you look at him.  He has just strengthened and matured all winter, we have taken our time with him, and thankfully, it seems to have paid off.

He has done nothing but improve in three hurdle runs to date, finishing third on debut, runner up to a useful sort at Taunton last time and then winning on Sunday.  There are a couple of useful types in this race and what I liked was the way he put this race to bed from just before two out to the final hurdle, quickening clear.  He landed a bit on all fours at the last but picked himself well to win a shade cosily in the end.  He already has a handicap mark of 112 but he might go up a bit for this win and he will be kept on the go for now as he enjoys the better ground.  We also have the option of running him back on the flat from nice mark should we so wish. 

Our only other runners of the week last week came on Friday and things did not really go to plan!  The ground was not as soft as what we would have liked up at Ayr for either of our runners.  Phantomofthepoints ran quite well in his first handicap start but was a little outpaced at a crucial stage before staying on again towards the line.  He will probably want a step up in trip when he returns next season.  Royal Mer has done all of his winning over two miles on very slow ground and was in trouble from an early stage in his race and so Jack looked after him.  He has had a very good season winning five times and while his handicap mark has gone up as a result he in one to look forward to next season on really testing ground as I think he can progress further.  He will now have his summer break.

Point to Pointers

Our two point to pointers will be back in action this week with Castle Daragh hopefully making his hunter chase debut at Chepstow on Friday.  He will run in the ground is suitable and will be a first ride under rules for Conal Kavanagh.  Moodofthemoment holds entries at the Axe Vale point to point on Sunday and will be ridden by Lukke Morris this time.  Well done to Martin ‘Fly’ McIntyre who rode a winner at Flete Park point to point last weekend.  It is great to see the young lads in good form and doing well. 

This Week

We have three runners at Southwell on Tuesday, Man Again, Shot Boii and Royal Defender and on Wednesday we have three at Uttoxeter, Skin Full, Sizing Pottsie and Walkadina and one at Taunton, Behind the Curtain.  We have a couple of entries at Warwick on Thursday and Chepstow on Friday which are likely to be our final runners of the 2023-24 season.  Keep checking the Daily News for the latest information on the stable runners.

Final Countdown

We are in the final week of the jumps season and it was a pivotal day in the jumps trainers’ championship on Saturday with Willie Mullins having a four timer up at Ayr, which included the feature Scottish National.  While neither Dan Skelton or Paul Nicholls will stop trying it does look an uphill struggle with Willie have runners throughout the week in Britain and plenty was good chances in the feature races at Sandown on Saturday.  The jockey’s title is a little closer with Sean Bowen just seven behind Harry Cobden at the time of writing.  While Harry still has to be favourite to claim his first title, Sean will also not give up and all of this adds extra spice to the end of the jumps season.

Racing then takes a few days break in Britain before getting underway again but we do of course have Punchestown next week so the action keeps coming thick and fast!

Next week I shall endeavour to reflect on the season while looking forward to getting going again with a busy May ahead