Fantastic Fideles!

As befits this time of the year, it has certainly been a quiet spell for National Hunt racing enthusiasts and following a break of five days the jumps fixture list only just splutters back into life on Tuesday with a card from Sedgefield.  Our only runners of last week came on Monday at Newton Abbot and what a good day for the yard it was too with a couple of winners and a second to show from our three runners.  Ainsi Fideles scored a bloodless victory in the novices’ chase, while Bathwick Man (pictured above) was the ready winner of the 2m6f handicap hurdle.

I was particularly pleased with the performance of Ainsi Fideles in the novices’ chase as he defeated useful and in-form rival Lamb Or Cod by twenty-five lengths.  Although owing to the age allowance he was in receipt of 13lbs from the second favourite, this was still by some way his toughest assignment since switching his attention to the larger obstacles.  Under a positive ride from Tom Scu, he took it up with a circuit to run and he never relinquished the lead.  He jumped well  and was thoroughly professional in his approach.  He acts well on this good ground and could go for another novices’ contest at Perth next week – his four year olds allowance has certainly assisted him this summer, although things will certainly get much tougher once he has to contest handicaps from a mark of 148.  There had been some talk in the media of the Paddy Power at Cheltenham in November, but while he is clearly progressing it is still very early days to be talking of one of the season’s most fiercely competitive handicaps.

Later on the card I was delighted that stable stalwart Bathwick Man was able to get his head back in front once again in the handicap hurdle under Tom Scudamore.  He had three narrow misses last term and his handicap rating had crept up subsequently and it was beginning to look as though it was going to be the same scenario again this time around with two more close seconds preceding this well-deserved success.  It is amazing to think that he has been with us for six years now, and while he clearly has his limitations, he rarely runs a bad race and eight race wins is a decent effort.

Following a five day break from racing, there is only limited action to look forward to again this week.  We will not have any runners at Sedgefield tomorrow, while we have only Street Entertainer engaged at Kelso on Wednesday (and he has an alternative engagement later in the week).  Friday is looking a little more promising with plenty of entries at both Newton Abbot and Worcester – as usual we will take a good look at the races before deciding who runs where.  For the latest news on all of those as well as any other stable gossip, be sure to keep up to date with Chester’s Daily Chat.

I was pleased to see a familiar face turn up on Saturday.  I am talking about last season’s Byrne Group Plate winner Ballynagour (pictured right) who was returning from his summer holiday.  I would not be joking to say that he is looking big and well and he has clearly had a nice vacation.  Now the hard work begins and I am looking forward to getting our Cheltenham Festival winner back on the track – he was finishing his races much better last time and proved versatile with regard to trip.  He will be aimed at many of the good chases from two to three miles.

Away from Pond House, it was a bumper weekend for flat action and I thought that it was very good performance from Kingston Hill to land the St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday and in the process give trainer Roger Varian and jockey Andrea Atzeni a first Classic success.  The horse had looked tailor-made for the race since winning the Racing Post Trophy as a two year old on the corresponding card twelve months ago and so it proved.  Well done to the whole team on this fantastic success.

I would also like to pass on my congratulations to Tom Dascombe, owners Andrew Black and Michael Owen as well as jockey Richard Kingscote for the deserved first Group One success of Black Panther in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh yesterday (Sunday).

On Friday I had a lovely time at the marriage of author Hilary Bonner and actress Amanda Barrie at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane.  It was a surreal experience to rub shoulders with many of the cast of Coronation Street, although I was disappointed to miss the opportunity to meet John Challis who played Boycie in my favourite show ‘Only Fools And Horses’.  It was a fantastic occasion and I would like to wish the wedded couple every happiness for the future.

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