Back Among The Winners!

After a nine day break I cannot tell you how pleased I was to get back jump racing again and I was even more pleased that the horses have returned from the enforced mini-break in rude health with three winners during the course of the week.  Unfortunately for Tom Scudamore his enforced holiday is a little longer than the rest of ours, although in his absence we have been able to put up some of the other capable lads around the yard as well as secure the services of a certain A P McCoy on a few of our runners.

Indeed, A P was aboard all three of our winners last week, starting with Barton Stacey in the 2m6½f handicap hurdle at Fontwell on Wednesday.  Barton Stacey has not always been the most straight forward of individuals but is capable when putting his best foot forward.  Having already scored in handicap company over fences this term, he looked reasonably treated reverting to hurdles, although he had disappointed under that code on his penultimate start at Wetherby.  A rise in the weights for this success is on the cards and that will make things more difficult, although he still has the option of returning to fences where he is still a novice.  Regardless, I am delighted to have already scored with him twice this season.

Things were slightly easier for the champion jockey aboard 4/11 chance Ainsi Fideles (pictured above) at Market Rasen on Saturday.  Our four year old has done nothing but impress since switching to the larger obstacles and is now unbeaten in three starts.  With an official rating of 145 he looks handicapped to the hilt, although he does receive a very handy weight allowance owing to his age which will keep things manageable as he progresses through the ranks.  He was favoured by the weights in this novices’ event and he will obviously face harder tasks down the line.  He will be kept on the go for now while in such good form and I will be looking for further opportunities for him shortly.

Onto Sunday and I was thrilled by the success of Houston Dynimo (pictured right) in the competitive 0-120 handicap hurdle at Southwell.  Owned by Gordon and Sue, a pair of local farmers who also own bumper winner Lady Of Longstone; it is hard to imagine any more enthusiastic owners.   I was at Doncaster Bloodstock Sales when Houston Dynimo caught my eye finishing down the field in a Wetherby seller and he is already beginning to look like very good value for £6,000 - it is always very satisfying when your judgement is proved correct.  He is another who will be kept on the go and I would imagine he will be turned out again soon.

Those successes have helped A P McCoy onto an amazing 96 wins this term and he is well on course to achieve his fastest ever century – not bad at the ripe old age of 40!  I know that the champion jockey has long wanted to ride an incredible triple century of winners and if he steers clear of injury I see no reason why he can’t achieve just that.  That makes for depressing reading for his rivals, although having a superstar such as McCoy can only good news for the profile of the sport.

Of our other runners last week, most performed with credit.  Bathwick Man twice finished a narrow runner-up - our nine year old rarely runs a bad race and hopefully he will remain competitive when his new handicap mark comes into effect.  I am also pleased to report that Azza is none the worse for her fall at the final fence at Southwell on Sunday – there will be other days for her.

Looking to the week ahead, Franklin Roosevelt will bid to follow-up his recent Newton Abbot success in the 6.10pm race at Worcester tomorrow.  He will be partnered by Kieron Edgar who has ridden him before and who claims a handy 5lbs off his back.  We have plenty of entries at Newton Abbot on Thursday, although Purple ‘N Gold is our only definite runner at this time, while the same applies to Ffos Las for their two day meeting.  For all the latest news on runners from the stable, don’t forget to check Chester’s Daily Chat.

I was unable to witness the stables’ weekend winners as I was away in Italy enjoying a fascinating trip to Siena for the unbelievable spectacle that is the Palio di Siena.  The Palio di Siena is a horse race that is held twice a year around the streets of the town and people come from miles away donned in amazing costumes.  Tom Scu was present and he didn’t exactly look to relish the prospect of participating in the rough and tumble, although his wife Lottie was a little more open to the idea...perhaps it had something to do with the (approx) €250,000 riding fee that each competing jockey picks up for taking part?!  It was a thrilling experience although  I don’t think I will be entering any of the Pond House inmates, I will be sticking to the jumps!

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