Return of the Jumps

       Prince De Bersy in the Show Ring

The last week seems to have flown by and while the mini jumps racing break is nearly over it feels like no such break has been had back at the yard!!  This is a good thing really and I enjoy this time of the year as we are building the foundations for the season ahead with lots to look forward to.

Before jumping resumes at Newton Abbot on Wednesday our first runner of the week is on the flat at Nottingham on Tuesday.  Street Entertainer runs in the 1m6f handicap with Mikey Ennis on board claiming five pounds.  The ultra-versatile eight year old has been a little star since joining Pond House having won eight races,  seven over hurdles and once over the flat.  He has just started his chase career this summer and has been placed and I hope his turn in this sphere will not be too far away either.  He will bid to repeat a course and distance success on the level tomorrow first.  I only wish we had a few more horses like him!

On Wednesday our entries include Art of War who has his first entry over hurdles in the novice hurdle.  A talented but enigmatic performer on the flat, he has schooled well at home and fingers crossed he enjoys his hurdling experience on the track.  Lady of Longstone, Spending Time and Skylander are also possibilities to run at our local meeting.  Meanwhile jumping action moves to Fontwell on Thursday.  Perspicace, Houston Dynimo, Standing Ovation, For N Against, Lilbourne Legacy and Junior Package all hold entries so check Chester’s daily blog for more news of what we run in the coming days.   

Looking ahead to the weekend there is jumping action at Market Rasen on Saturday evening and Southwell on Sunday.

There have been a few good headlines in the racing world over the past few days.  It was brilliant for Ruby Walsh to win the Australian Grand National on Bashboy who was winning the race for the third time.  It is some achievement for Ruby to have won five Grand Nationals – the English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh and Australian and I am sure there will be not many who will ever be able to do that.  Hopefully it will give a boost to jumps racing down under.  I see there are calls for him to go and ride in the Swdish equivalent now…he couldn’t…could he?!

In the Shergar Cup at Ascot on Saturday the girls and particularly Sammy Jo Bell stole the show.  A late call up to replace the injured Cathy Gannon last week the 24 year old ended by winning the Silver Saddle as leading rider with two winners.  The girl’s team made history by winning the team event for the first time in its 15 year history.  While some people question the value of the day I think it is a great spectacle and now a part of the racing calendar that lots of people look forward to.

In the paper I see there was a photo of Barry Geraghty on board Forpadydeplasterer at the Royal Dublin Show.  The former 2009 Arkle winner also finished runner up Big Zeb in the following years Queen Mother Champion Chase and he looks to be thriving in the showing ring as well.  This reminded me of a former inmate of Pond House who has been doing well recently also.  Prince De Bersy was a winner three times under rules before winning five point to points and he is now being successful in the showing ring.  He won his ROR class at the North Devon Show and then went on to win the Championship.  He is pictured with Sara Jenn who is now his very proud owner.  I think it is great that these horses have a life after racing and here at Pond House we pride ourselves in helping our horses find the right homes when they finish their racing career.   It is always lovely to hear how they are getting on in their new life as well.

I couldn’t pass the week without of course mentioning a little thing like the cricket!!  What a performance by England to regain the Ashes in such style at Trent Bridge.  I have been glued to the action and I only hope they can finish the job off by winning the final test at the Oval.  Head lad Oliver had tickets for the Saturday at Trent Bridge, unfortunately he only got to see 40 minutes of action but I am sure the atmosphere and occasion more than made up for the actual loss of cricket!!  In fact it has not been a great weekend for Oliver…he is a Norwich City supporter…he has had better weekends!!