It's A Lock Out!

Above: Lock Out wins on his debut for the stable at Newton Abbot

With the jumps racing calendar slowing down for a few days this week, we are going to be a bit quieter.  Mind you, we do still have three runners today and another three tomorrow, so it would be great if we could add another winner or two before then.  The horses are still running extremely well and another couple of victories, courtesy of Lock Out and Al Roc took our seasonal tally to 18 and consolidated our second position in the trainers’ table at this early stage.

It’s A Lock Out!

Our first winner of the week came at Newton Abbot on Friday when Lock Out battled to victory in the concluding bumper.  The winner of an Irish point-to-point, we picked him up from the Doncaster sales in May (I use the Royal ‘we’ here as it was actually my wife, Leanne who brokered a private purchase of the horse for what now looks, a very reasonable figure) and it was great to get him into the winners’ enclosure at the first time of asking.

I was delighted for his owners, Chris and David Stam, who dropped into the yard during my recent holiday to Portugal and they left having bought the horse.  My father was on hand to show Lock Out to them and he has obviously lost none of his touch!

Roc Rolls

Our other winner was Al Roc, who produced an extraordinary performance when winning the 2m5f handicap chase at Market Rasen on Sunday.  The addition of blinkers really lit up our French eleven year old and he was soon in a commanding lead, jumping beautifully under Philip Armson and he kept enough up his sleeve to record a seven length success, with his rivals never able to land a blow.  This was his fourth win of the new campaign and he has done his owners, Judith and Fergus Wilson proud.  Indeed, as I write this, Judith trails only JP McManus in the owners’ standings.

There were a number of other good performances too, with Do Ya Feel Lucky finishing second at Southwell on Monday under a penalty and Lady Reset (Epsom), Free Chakarte, Port O’Clock (both Newton Abbot) and Koi Dodville (Market Rasen), all filling the runner-up spot.  I thought that Koi Dodville jumped particularly well on his chase debut – only a four year old, he should be winning races over the larger obstacles sooner rather than later.

Itacare was only beaten a length into third at Worcester on Wednesday and continues to run with great credit, whilst Kolisi was unlucky not to go close at Newton Abbot, a terrible blunder at the last costing him any chance.

The Week Ahead

We start with three runners today at Worcester.  d’Jango contests the staying handicap chase at 1.35pm and he ran out a ready winner over course and distance over hurdles last time.  He reverts to the larger obstacles from a 5lbs higher mark under winning rider, Philip Armson.

American Sniper ran a good race when runner-up on his rules debut in a bumper at Worcester last week and he contests a similar event once again.  With that experience under his belt, he should go well with Tom Scudamore. 

Our final runner is Oceanline, who makes his debut for the stable in the 2m4f novices’ hurdle at 3.20pm.  A dual winner over staying trips on the flat, he also had some decent form over timber.  We purchased him on the back of that from the Doncaster Sales and he has pleased me at home subsequently.  He should appreciate the step-up to today’s trip.

Tomorrow we run three at Uttoxeter, with Dindin contesting the 2m handicap chase at 7.30pm.  Kalma makes her debut for the stable in the mares’ handicap hurdle at 8.00pm and will be representing the David Pipe Racing Club.  She was another purchase from the Donny sales and is another nice sort with winning form over hurdles and on the flat.  The club has now had 7 seconds from 14 runners this season and it would be great if Kalma could go one better for them.

Via Dolorosa is our final runner on the Uttoxeter card as he runs in the 2m7½f handicap hurdle at 9.00pm.  Twice a winner over fences last term and runner-up three times already this, he is able to compete from a 16lbs lower mark over timber.  A versatile type, he should not be inconvenience by the return to the smaller obstacles.

Happy 80^th Stuart!

I would like to wish colourful and long-standing owner, Stuart Mercer a very happy 80^th birthday for Wednesday.  You wouldn’t think that he was about to become an octogenarian.  He swims countless lengths of the pool every day and still knows how to party with the best of them.  You certainly won’t miss Stuart at the races either…his fashion sense has become something of legend with his colourful shirts and dazzling ties.

A real joker, Stuart has been a patron of the yard since my father’s days, although he has often jested that he would have got less for murder!  He has had some fabulous horses down the years, including Lemon’s Mill and Indian Jockey and he can look forward to further success with his current duo, Koi Dodville and Free Chakarte.

National Racehorse Week

Finally, I am pleased to announce that we will once again be participating in the National Racehorse Week open days this year.  The initiative is in its second year and was established to try to highlight the levels of care and attention that go into keeping our friend; the racehorse, fit, healthy and happy.

Last year’s event was extremely well received.  Indeed, we had to release more spaces as we were booked out within a matter of days!  The date for this year’s visit will be on Saturday 17^th September and those wishing to attend can find out more by visiting the National Racehorse Week website: https://nationalracehorseweek.uk  Attendance is by booking only through their site, so be quick to register your interest.