Stratford Success

The stable continues in good form and from our seven runners last week, we notched another winner with El Paso Wood’s success at Stratford taking our tally at this early part of the season to 25, whilst all of our other runners filled the frame.

El Paso Wood (pictured above) was actually among our first batch of runners last week, contesting the 2m5f handicap chase at Newton Abbot on Tuesday.  Setting out to make all under Tom Scudamore, he was only headed at the penultimate fence by the in-form favourite.

On the same card, Dindin finished fourth behind El Paso Wood and d’Jango was third in the 3m2f handicap chase, whilst the tough as teak mare, Lady Reset was beaten only two lengths into fourth in the 2m handicap hurdle.

On Wednesday, I thought that Abaya du Mathan ran really well in the 2m7f handicap chase at Worcester.  He finished third in the end but had looked booked for second until just getting caught on the line, paying the price for being the only one in the line-up to go with the easy winner.

Red Happy ran a lovely race, later on the Worcester card, finishing a close third in the 2m7f handicap hurdle as he reverted to the smaller obstacles after a successful spell over fences.  Prominent throughout, he kept finding for Tom Scudamore and I thought that he may win as he jumped the last upsides, but he just lacked the gears of the first two close home.  Still a novice over hurdles, there are races to be won with him in this sphere.

Our final runner of the week was El Paso Wood, who was turned out again quickly after his Newton Abbot run, to contest the 2m6½f handicap chase at Stratford on Saturday.  Tom Scudamore set a good pace aboard our eight year old and he found plenty in the straight when it looked as though he may be caught, sealing things with a good leap at the last.  He stays this trip and more and continues to do well for Fergus and Judith Wilson.

The Week Ahead

We have had a couple of runners this afternoon at Newton Abbot with Abaya du Mathan appearing to find the 3m2½f trip appearing to be just beyond him, whilst Umbrigado recorded a fine seasonal reappearance by finishing runner-up in the staying handicap hurdle.  He was trying to concede 33lbs to the progressive winner and this augurs well for the season ahead.

Nibras Gold is our sole runner tomorrow at Hexham as he contests the 2m handicap hurdle.  He ran really well when bustling up a very useful chaser at Worcester last time.  Conditions should suit and this looks a good opportunity for him to return to winning ways for the Value Racing Club.  David Noonan rides.

We will have three runners at Uttoxeter on Wednesday with Koi Dodville contesting the 2m4f handicap chase.  He has run well in three starts over fences to date and will be having his first start since a breathing operation.  He receives a handy weight allowance and should go well under Tom Scudamore.

El Paso Wood contests the 3m2f handicap chase under a penalty for his Stratford success.  This longer trip should suit him well, whilst Ladykiller steps up in trip for the 2m7½f novices’ handicap hurdle.  A useful stayer on the flat in Germany, he looks well worth a try at this distance.

With no jumps entries over the weekend, we are likely to round off the week on the flat with a pair of runners at Epsom.  Duesenberg, a winner on the level for previous connections, is a likely runner in the jump jockeys’ Derby on Thursday, whilst Lady Reset is also an intended runner at the Esher track in the 1m2f handicap, although we will make a final decision on Wednesday morning.

Passing of Jack de Bromhead

Finally, I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to Henry and Heather de Bromhead following their 13-year-old son, Jack’s tragic death, following a pony racing accident in County Kerry on Saturday.

We all know that racing of any description is dangerous, but you never imagine that something like this could happen, especially in pony racing.  You certainly do not expect to outlive your children, and as a father myself, I cannot begin to imagine the incredible heartache and overwhelming sorrow the whole family must be feeling right now.

I had seen Jack on the television a few times, conducting interviews about his father’s horses and he was clearly a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic young man, whilst he was also a very accomplished rider.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this terribly sad time.