- Monday, 08 October 2018 15:53
- Written by David Pipe
Despite the promise of some rain last week, it never really materialised with just over 4mm falling at Pond House throughout the course of the entire weekend. It certainly wasn’t enough to save Exeter who were hoping to host their season opening meeting this coming Thursday. Unfortunately with the ground officially firm (hard in places) at the end of last week it is not really surprising that the fixture has had to be abandoned. Obviously the safety of the horses and jockeys are of paramount importance so the correct decision has been made, but it is a shame nonetheless.
As stated last week, while the elements remain uncertain we will be keeping the ‘winter horses’ under wraps for a little longer. Consequently we were limited to only four runners last week and it is looking likely to be a similar scenario this week.
We do kick off with a couple of runners today. Take The High Road contests the 1m2f claimer at Windsor this afternoon (Monday) after proving a little disappointing over hurdles. He is partnered by this season’s leading apprentice jockey Jason Watson. Meanwhile over at Stratford, Malangen makes his handicap debut following a couple of promising performances to finish in the frame in a couple of novices’ contests. At this point I should like to thank and congratulate Stratford for preparing packed lunches for the staff to travel home with. It is a thoughtful gesture and one which is greatly appreciated by the staff…some other tracks should take note.
There are no jumps fixtures tomorrow, while we have no entries at Ludlow or Southwell on Wednesday.
Duc de Beauchene, Malangen and Drama King all hold engagements at Worcester on Thursday. Duc de Beauchene (who is also entered in the National Hunt novices’ hurdle at Chepstow on Saturday) will need significant rain if he is to run anywhere, while Malangen is unlikely to turn out again so quickly.
Timeforben (pictured above) is an intended runner in the staying handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot on Friday. A course and distance winner last time out, this likeable mare remains in good form and will hopefully go well once again although this will require a career best from her revised handicap mark. Newcomer to the yard; Hot Ryan is entered in the bumper on the card, while she is also engaged at Chepstow on Sunday. Bred by owner Geoff Thompson, who is also our sponsor through his W&S brand, she is a nice mare and hopefully there will be enough rain at Chepstow to enable her to run there.
At the latest stage for this weekend’s Cesarewitch handicap at Newmarket we confirmed Dell’ Arca and he is an intended runner if he makes the cut. He has been an amazing horse to have in the yard, winning on the flat, over hurdles and fences and produced another cracking effort when a close fourth in the Kerry National at Listowel on his latest start…not your typical Cesarewitch preparation I know! He looks unlikely to get in (he is currently number 45, with a maximum field of 34), but our evergreen nine year old remains in good form and will be out again shortly if it is not this weekend. Finally, I would like to offer my congratulations to John Gosden, Frankie Dettori and the team following the tremendous back-to-back success of Enable in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at the weekend. To bring this incredible mare back after a troubled preparation is a fantastic feat and it would be great if she were able to complete an unprecedented hat-trick next year.
The runner-up Sea Of Class looked a little unlucky, finishing really well having been held up in rear but that is her way of running so she had to be ridden like that. What a mouth-watering prospect it would be if the two of them clashed again next season!
