Back Over The Jumps!

It is great to have the jumps back after a fortnight without any National Hunt action and although we have not had any runners since the return, that is about to change with four runners over the sticks at Worcester on Wednesday.  Before that, we have a runner on the level tonight (Monday) at Windsor as in-form filly Lady Reset (pictured above) contests the 1m2f handicap.

The Week Ahead

Lady Reset has been running really well of late, scoring twice on the level during the summer and finishing placed on her other couple of starts.  She maintained that improvement reverting back to hurdles at Stratford last time, where she was a very gusty winner, getting the better of a protracted battle.  Laura Pearson has won on her before and she should run her usual game race this evening.

We have no runners on Tuesday, but the pace increases on Wednesday when Mr Tambourine Man, Jewari Of Saints, Bluebell Polka and Veiled Secret represent the Pond House team.

Mr Tambourine Man contests the two mile novices’ hurdle at 6.30pm and I am looking forward to seeing how he gets on over hurdles.  A winner at Killarney last season, he has schooled well at home and is a nice prospect.

Jewari Of Saints will make her debut for the stable in the 2m4f handicap hurdle at 7.00pm.  A winner last time out over 2m1f at Dieppe in France on heavy ground, the ground will be a lot quicker this time.  She is sure to be well-supported at the track by the members of the David Pipe Racing Club.  The Racing Club is a great way of getting involved in the sport at an affordable price and brings many of the perks of ownership, including an organised stable visit which will take place next month.  If you would like to be a part of the fun, you can find out more by clicking here…

Bluebell Polka and Veiled Secret will represent owners Clan McNeil in the final two races on the card.  Bluebell Polka showed a bit more when fifth on her debut for the stable at Bangor and she contests the 2m4f mares’ maiden hurdle at 7.30pm.

Veiled Secret, who is already a course winner earlier in the summer on his first start for the stable, runs in the 2m7f handicap hurdle.  He looks as though this step-up in trip should suit him and he should give a good account once again from a mark 3lbs higher than when last successful.

Ranco is in the 2m2½f novices’ handicap hurdle at Stratford on Thursday.  He ran well to finish runner-up on his latest outing and has since benefitted from a gelding operation.

Mr Tambourine Man and Oneonechop are engaged at Newton Abbot on Saturday with the latter an intended runner, whilst Do Ya Feel Lucky and Jewari Of Saints round out our jumps entries at Worcester on Sunday.  Lady Reset is entered in a couple of races on the flat at Sandown, but we will see how she gets on this evening first.

Debut Runner-Up

Looking back to last week and I was pleased with the effort of Flammarion, who ran a promising first race for the stable when runner-up over 1m4f at Ffos Las last week under Hollie Doyle.  It certainly augurs well for the rest of the campaign and he will also be going hurdling at some point.  It is quite easy to see why there is such hype and adulation surrounding Hollie Doyle.  She gave our gelding a great ride, but more than that, she was modest and courteous and also gave tremendous feedback from her ride.  A consummate professional, she is fully worthy of all the plaudits and accolades she has received and is certainly one of racing’s greatest assets.

Chip Off The Old Block

Finally, Eve McCoy, daughter of legendary champion jockey Sir Anthony McCoy has been hitting plenty of headlines herself of late.  Eve, who is now 13 years old, has been competing in the Children on Horse & Ponies classes and doing extremely well.  Indeed, only last month she represented Team GB in the European Championships last month, finishing second aboard Non Stop.  A precocious talent, she is the same age as her horse!

Eve is doing extremely well in her show jumping career and I’m sure her parents will be encouraging her to follow that path rather than becoming a jockey!