- Monday, 03 September 2018 15:03
- Written by David Pipe
Although there were only a handful of runners last week, the majority performed well and I was delighted to produce a winner for long-standing (and colourful!) owner Stuart Mercer. While there isn’t a huge amount of jumping in the coming days, we still have a handful of entries and even turn our hands to the flat this afternoon.
Good form
I am pleased to have the horses in good form and our first runners of the week came last Wednesday at Worcester with Timeforben and Malangen reaching the frame before Acker Bilk hit the back of the net. Timeforben produced another good performance when narrowly getting collared in the 2m7f handicap hurdle – only an inspired ride from champion jockey Richard Johnson stopping her from racking up her third win over hurdles. She ran all the way to the line, putting distance between herself and the third from the last and she should continue to go well in similar contests. She is creeping up the weights now but there is no reason why she should not carry on improving.
Malangen made his first start for the stable in the juvenile novices’ hurdles and I thought he posted a creditable first performance. Bought after winning a Leicester seller on the level, this was only his third lifetime start and he was still displaying distinct signs of inexperience. He was a little too keen for his own good and hung in the closing stages – this can be improved with experience and he should have little trouble winning over timber based on this evidence.
Acker Bilk (pictured above) produced an excellent first effort over hurdles when easily landing the novices’ hurdle on the Worcester card. Appreciating a bit of cut in the ground, he warmed to his jumping well and quickened nicely to be comfortably on top in the closing stages. He was a useful handicapper on the level and it was good to see him translate that ability to the jumps. Tom Scudamore was impressed and he can rank more highly.
Media Personality
Winning owner Stuart Mercer was understandably delighted and you can see his short but amusing interview on Attheraces by clicking on the relevant tweet on my Twitter page. It would seem that he has become something of a television personality and the video has now been viewed over 6,800 times since posting, much to his amusement. Have a look and help him to go ‘viral’! On a serious note, I am thrilled by his success, Stuart has been a loyal owner for many years and his continued support (and all my other owners) is greatly appreciated.
The Week Ahead
Looking to this week, although there are no jumps fixtures this afternoon we have a runner on the level as Jacbequick makes his debut for the stable in the 1m2f flat handicap at Ffos Las. We purchased him from a seller and he has been in tremendous form of late - he will be bidding to land the hat-trick today under apprentice jockey Finley Marsh. Impulsive American runs in the 2m½f handicap on the level at Ffos Las on Wednesday. He has been a tremendously versatile sort for the yard, winning on the flat, over hurdles and fences. Recent arrival Mutanaqel holds an engagement in the juvenile hurdle at Fontwell on Sunday and I hope he will be a nice recruit for owner Jim Ennis. He had some decent form on the level and has done plenty of schooling at home. I have been pleased with what I have seen to date. A little further ahead, Dell’ Arca a winner on the flat and over hurdles this term, could head to Ireland to run in the Kerry National at Listowel on Wednesday week. He is slightly lower in the weights over there and could well take his chance. He has been in excellent form and is another tremendously versatile type.
Somerset Success
I thoroughly enjoyed watching Somerset in the T20 Blast last week and was delighted to see the Cider Men victorious. They now progress to finals day on Saturday week. Furthermore, Somerset star Jamie Overton made my son Jack’s summer holiday when personally bringing a shirt, signed by all the players to the yard for him – he was overjoyed and couldn’t wait to show everyone. Wishing the team the best of luck for finals day – we will be cheering you on!
