Good Return

Recent Runners

It was once again fairly quiet on the runner’s front from the yard but we had a few that ran well.  It was a particularly pleasing comeback/stable debut from Midnight Sapphire who finishes second at Newton Abbot.  We had her in the yard a while but a few little setbacks have kept her off the track for 18 months.  Her owner/breeders have been very patient and it was great to reward them with a good effort.  She showed a very willing attitude keeping on all the way to the line, nearest at the finish and only beaten 1½ lengths.  The good thing is that she has come out of the race well and hopefully she can build on that run next time and go one place better.

Whitley Neill was a shade disappointing at Newton Abbot on the same card.  He finished third but Tom Scu said he found the track a bit too sharp and a return to a more galloping course next time should be more to his liking.

Dell’arca made a quick reappearance on the flat at Goodwood after his Newbury win and he probably ran better than his finishing suggests.  Jockey Luke Morris said he did not really handle the track.  He remains in good heart and he will have a few easy days before we decide his next target, whether it be on the flat, over hurdles or fences.  A nice little problem to have!

The Week Ahead

Looking ahead this week our next runners will be at Worcester on Wednesday evening.  Timeforben is a likely runner in the handicap hurdle over 2m7f.  She was a winner at the track on her penultimate start and was a good second at Uttoxeter last time.  Malangen is likely to make his hurdle/stable debut in the Juvenile hurdle on the card.  We bought the three year old after he won a seller at Leicester last time for Brian Meehan, only his second start on the flat.  We have done a lot of schooling with him, he wasn’t a necessarily a natural at the beginning but he has done nothing but improve with everything he has done and I am hopeful of a good run.  Acker Bilk is another who will be making his hurdling debut for the yard at Worcester on Wednesday.  He has some decent flat form and although a shade disappointing at Haydock on the level last time, jockey Richard Kingscote thought he did not really handle the quick surface.  The recent rain and softer ground at Worcester will suit better and he jumps well and he should run okay.

After Wednesday the next runners will be at Newton Abbot on Saturday.   We have had a few setbacks with the five year old and he has been off the track for just over a year.  He has lots of talent though and is going nicely at home.  He was a good winner of a novice hurdle at Bangor last summer and providing he gets to the track on Saturday I shall be both relieved and delighted to get him out for the Value Racing Club who have been very patient.  I hope he can reward everyone’s patience with a good run.  Dream Free could also run on the card as could Midnight Magic.  Things have not quite worked out for the latter horse on the race track but he works very well at home.

Family is Back!

Last week I had a few days peace…I mean I had a few days where I missed the family as Leanne and the children went to Portugal.  I am pleased to report they are all back safely and had a nice time and Pond House is back to its usual noisy self; I did miss them dearly!! While they were away I did enjoy a night out and a game of skittles as Gerry Supple organised a game for staff members past and present.  It was nice to see some old faces from years gone by.  I’m not sure about the standard of the skittle but it was nice to have a good catch up!!

Somerset Cricket

This afternoon in a break between jobs I shall be tuning in to watch Somerset in the Twenty20 Vitality Blast quarter final game of cricket.  I went to their last home game and this match was re-arranged for today after it was rained off yesterday.  Fingers crossed they can get through to Final’s day on September 15^th.  Today’s winners will play Sussex Sharks in the semi-final.  Come on the Cider men!