- Monday, 14 September 2015 16:45
- Written by David Pipe
You know that the horses are running well when you appear on the “Hot Trainers” list in the Racing Post and with another couple of winners to add to the three from the previous week and also a flat success, it is clear that the stable is in good form…long may it continue! Despite there being a dearth of jump racing on the calendar this week, we have plenty of entries in the hope of keeping our good run going.
With the opportunities over obstacles limited by the time of year (there are three blank jumping days this week) we have had to cast the net far and wide in search of winners. Fortunately Border Breaker made the long journey up to Scotland worthwhile with a gutsy victory in the feature chase at Perth on Tuesday evening. Jumping well on only his second start over the larger obstacles (although he was a winner of an Irish point-to-point), he was not inconvenienced in the slightest by the drop back to 2m4f as he ground out a hard fought head success from Irish raider Russian Regent. He was a popular winner for local owners the Jimmy Hack Partnership and as he continues to shape as though three miles will suit, he will return there at the end of the month for their three mile handicap chase.
Later on the card Skylander also performed with credit to finish a close runner-up in the handicap hurdle under young amateur jockey Tom Greatrex. It is only a matter of time before Tom gets that maiden success under his belt - he is a talented young jockey with a bright future ahead of him.
Kalifourchon maintained his relentless improvement with a fluent success in the 2m4f handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter on Wednesday under Tom Scudamore. The winner of three of his last four starts, this was as impressive as any from a career high mark of 117. He is sure to go up again considerably in the weights for this but he is a lightly raced four year old with further improvement in him. Indeed, the further he went at Uttoxeter, the better he seemed to go and he is another who looks like a step up will hold no terrors for him. He possesses plenty of size and scope and will make a smashing chaser in time.
Our final winner of the week came on the flat at Chepstow on Thursday when Impulsive American ran out a narrow winner of the 1m2f handicap under champion apprentice jockey elect Tom Marquand (who was recording a treble on the day). Settling much better than on his debut for the stable at Carlisle he ran on really well and we will look at something similar for him shortly before finally embarking on a hurdling campaign with him.
Looking to the week ahead we will be heading back across to the border to Scotland on Wednesday when Purple ‘N Gold is an intended runner in the 2m1f handicap chase at Kelso. A fluent winner of his only previous start over fences, he looks as though he is going to exceed his hurdling exploits. They have managed to avoid any significant rain up until this point (and have even been watering the course) which is good news as he has a preference for top of the ground. He could well be joined by Barneby who has an entry in the 2m5f handicap hurdle.
Lilbourne Legacey is an intended runner at Newton Abbot on Friday, while there are also entries for recent Southwell winner Epic Warrior, Prince Of Poets, Perspicace and Skylander. Once again there is no jump racing on Saturday, while the stable has entries for Instagram at Plumpton on Sunday as well as Spending Time, Barneby and Western Diva at Uttoxeter. As usual, Chester will be able to fill you in on all the latest news of our runners in his daily chat.
Finally, I would just like to pass on my sincerest condolences to Michael Owen, Andrew Black and Tom Dascombe following the sad loss of Brown Panther in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh on Sunday. It is always extremely sad to lose any horse, but a homebred who has operated at the highest level for so many years is heart-breaking for all connected. Hopefully happier times lie ahead very shortly…
