Tullyesker Triumphs!

The stable remains in good form and we enjoyed a nice winner at Newbury again yesterday when Tullyesker Hill (pictured above) made all the running for a gutsy success in the Pertemps handicap hurdle qualifier under a good positive ride from Tom Scudamore.  He has looked a most progressive individual in his two starts this season and appears to have endless stamina - let's hope that can maintain his current rate of improvement.  I was particularly pleased for owner Bryan Drew who has been a staunch supporter of the yard since joining us and I thought he gave a fabulous interview on RUK after the race.

There are five meetings taking place today and the obvious highlight is the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury at 3.00pm.  Supporting Newbury there are jumps cards from Newcastle, Bangor and Towcester as well as an all-weather flat card from Wolverhampton.  As mentioned, the feature is the Hennessy and the stable is represented by Ballynagour.  It is a big step up in trip for our eight year old who has not won beyond 2m5 1/2f under rules, although he was a winning pointer over three miles in his younger days.  Even so, with the likes of One Man (a two mile champion chaser) having won this contest in the past, there are reasons to be optimistic.  Ballynagour, the Byrne Group Plate winner at the Cheltenham Festival possesses a touch of class - I would imagine that Tom will be holding on to him for as long as possible.  Also at Newbury, David runs Home Run (who was still going well when stumbling and unseating his rider last time) and Monetaire.

Young conditional jockey Kieron Edgar gets a good opportunity this afternoon as he takes the mount aboard Broadway Buffalo in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle.  With Kieron claiming 5lbs off his back, he only has 10-6 to carry and the Racing Post make him the 9/2 favourite.  It is only a short trip there for his owners, although it is a long trek for us - let's hope that it made worthwhile with a big run.  Meanwhile the stable also has three runners; Vif Argent, Serienschock and Moncarno at Bangor and Volt Face and Kalifourchon at Towcester.  David is in good form this morning - he made me a cup of tea at 6.30am and told me that he would have seven winners...it was a bit early so I am not sure if he was taking the mickey or not!

It looks like being a busy day with us playing host to 40 or so veterinary students this morning.  I am told that they are mostly female (I hope so!) and someone (I wonder who?!) has to show them around...I wonder what they will want to talk about?!

I see that the Racing Post's Christmas jumpers have already sold out and has raised £8,000 for the Injured Jockeys' Fund.  I did say that at £14.99 including delivery they seemed too cheap to me...I wonder if we will be seeing any on E-Bay before too long?!

There are some excellent football matches to look forward to this weekend and I will be having a little tickle on Liverpool at 8/11, West Ham at 5/4 and Swansea at 5/6, hopefully that will put a bit of food on the table in the Barnes household for the coming week!