Encouraging Efforts

With just a handful of runners on the week, it was a quiet one on the racing front, but with both Keating and Buster Edwards (pictured above) acquitting themselves well, we were arguably a little unlucky not to come away with a winner. Nevertheless these encouraging efforts confirm the wellbeing of the horses and I am sure that it is a matter of when rather than if they are successful.

Keating, who had posted a promising first effort for the stable when a close fourth at Newton Abbot over two miles a fortnight earlier was expected to appreciate the longer trip of 2m4f at Worcester last Wednesday. Indeed, he was in the process of running a fine race from the front when he reached for the last hurdle, unseating Tom Scudamore in the process. Tom had not asked him for everything at that point and while it is a matter of conjecture as to where he would have finished, he would certainly have been involved. He will be out again before long and has already shown more than enough to suggest that something similar should be well within his compass for his syndicate owners, the Pond House Classics.

Worcester held their second meeting of the week on Sunday and we were again a little unlucky not to be on the mark, this time through Buster Edwards who finished a narrow second in the conditional jockeys’ maiden hurdle over 2m7f under David Noonan. Buster Edwards had only had one previous lifetime start, in an Irish point-to-point and he will have benefitted enormously for this experience. Despite showing distinct signs of greenness he rallied bravely once headed after the last and was only a head down at the line. This was a very promising first effort for the stable and a real thrill for his owner Jon Williams who was enjoying his first venture into sole ownership. He clearly stays very well and with this run under his belt, he looks like another who should be winning sooner rather than later.

Looking to the week ahead, with only a handful of jumps fixtures there will only be a few runners but I will be hoping for a change of fortune. We do not make the long journey north to Hexham tomorrow (Tuesday), although we do have entries at Southwell on Wednesday where Gabrial The Great is entered back over timber following a couple of creditable efforts over fences and Aero Majestic has a choice of novice hurdle engagements over two and a half and three miles.

On Sunday Lady Of Longstone has an entry in the 2m5½f mares’ handicap hurdle, while Ramses de Teillee and Bambi du Noyer are entered in the 2m3f handicap hurdle. We will keep an eye on the ground (currently good/firm) and opposition before deciding on running plans there. As usual, for all the latest news on runners from Pond House, keep up to date with Chester’s Daily Chat or follow us on Twitter.

It is not often that I say this, but I have to agree with Chester when he talks about the brisk sales at Doncaster last week. He likened the price tags attached to some of the lots to football transfer fees and he wasn’t far wrong. I have always prided myself on purchasing nice horses for sensible money and yesterday’s runner-up, Buster Edwards is another good example of this. With more sales from Goffs this week and of course the big horses in training sale from Tattersalls at the end of next month I will be doing plenty of homework as we search for more potential jumpers.

If you would like to join the team at Pond House do get in touch – we have a nice selection of horses for sale to suit most budgets and we can accommodate syndicates, part shares or sole ownership while we can also buy to order…and it need not cost a king’s ransom!

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