- Monday, 09 October 2023 14:26
- Written by David Pipe
Wordsworth - Winner at Bangor
The horses are in great form and we have had a winner under both codes since last writing. Wordsworth was the impressive winner of a novices hurdle on stable debut at Bangor last Wednesday and Oceanline bounced back to form and won impressively on the flat at Ascot on Friday. We have also had three seconds and a third from just ten runners and so it has not been a bad week!
Wordsworth has a lot of natural ability and some very high class flat form in the book when trained by Aidan O’Brien. I was keen to get a run into him before the Cesarewitch this weekend and the other day had not have gone any better. He led, jumped impeccably and won with his ears pricked and Jack had a job pulling him up after the line! There is always a slight risk running a horse so close to an intended big race target but I felt it would blow away any cobwebs and mentally put him spot on for Newmarket. He has come out of that race bouncing and it is all systems go for the weekend. We confirmed both him and Bashful Boy for the race this morning. It will not be easy for Wordsworth to try to carry top weight to victory which is why we shall be employing the services of a good claiming apprentice. Hopefully Rob Hornby will ride Bashful Boy but we are just awaiting confirmation. It is a very tough competitive handicap but both horses are in good form and with a bit of luck in running can be involved in the finish.
Oceanline - Winner at Ascot
Oceanline was another to put up a bold front running display at Ascot on Friday to win a nice race over two miles. Rob Hornby dictated from the front on our five year old and he stayed on strongly on his first try at the trip on the flat. It is fair to say he has not had the best summer over hurdles to date so it was brilliant to see him show his old enthusiasm and ability on the level. We have tweaked a few things with his training at home and he seemed much happier and this reflected in his performance. He won this race off a mark of 82 and hopefully the handicapper won’t react too harshly and we will probably run him again on the flat while the ground remains good. He could have a run on the all-weather as well as he has some good form on a synthetic surface already in the book.
Dindin, Red Happy and Makanao all filled the runners up spots in the last week and ran with great credit. Dindin rarely runs a bad race while it was a big step back in the right direction for Red Happy who enjoyed the return to fences. Makanao made a nice stable debut in the juvenile hurdle at Fontwell. He jumped well and while the winner of the race poached a big lead at a crucial time, our gelding kept galloping all the way to the line and may well have won in another stride or two. All of the above have come out of their races well and should be back out on the track again shortly.
This Week
While we have a quiet enough start on the racing front with runners this week, things get a little busier towards the weekend. Jumps action returns to Exeter for the first time this season on Thursday and we have a few entries on the card. The ground is still likely to be quite quick but Nibras Gold enjoys this going and is an intended runner in the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle while Pepsiwithacap is likely to join him on the day while the others are still to be decided. On Friday we have the return of Chepstow and their big two day race meeting and we have a couple of entries on the card. On Saturday Stray Bullet has his first stable entry in the juvenile hurdle, while American Sniper holds an entry in the Silver Trophy handicap hurdle and Jilaijone in the four year old hurdle. We also have the two flat entries at Newmarket in the Cesarewitch and on Sunday entries at Ffos Las. Keep checking the Daily News for more up-to-date information on the stable runners.
Neve Daniel Charity Race
Neve is 23 years old and has worked here since leaving school and joining our team in December 2016. In the past few years we have tried to support these charity races that come along and members of staff, Clare Wyatt, Gerry Supple and Julie Bellamy have taken part in organised events. Each time we have asked the staff who would like to do it and when there is more than one person keen we have decided it by vote. Each time, Neve has put her name forward as it has been an ambition of hers and I am delighted to say she now gets her chance. She works full time in the yard and has been putting in some extra fitness training in preparation for the race. She went for a racecourse gallop at Salisbury the other day and got on well and so it is all systems go for Wincanton on Sunday 29th October. It is a flat race over 1m2f and while her horse is still to be confirmed she is busy raising money as the race is being organised by the Bob Champion Cancer Trust. She needs to raise £2500 in sponsorship to take part and is a little way off her target so she would really welcome any donations to her Just Giving Page which can be found by following the link below
https://www.justgiving.com/page/neve-daniel-1694267751173
Horses in Training
Please find below the eighth instalment of our horses in training feature we have been doing in recent weeks. Going through the horses in alphabetical order I am pleased to introduce a few more of our equine team for the season ahead.
Setmestraightmate
Setme Straightmate was the very impressive winner of his only start in a four-year-old gelding’s Irish point-to-point at Boulta in 2020. Unfortunately he has not been easy to train and has not made it to the racecourse as yet since. A giant of a horse at well over 17 hands, he has chaser written all over him. He will hopefully be back for the second half of the season. He has shown us enough at home that we would dearly love to get him to the track as he has an engine.
By Sholokhov - Shazzamataz
From the family of Umbrigado who was a top chaser for Pond House. A lovely looking filly, she has not been here that long but is progressing nicely and doing all that we ask of her. We will be looking to run her in a bumper as soon as we think she is ready. Available for free lease.
Shot Boii
Rattled up a hat trick of wins in his first three starts back last autumn, winning at Lingfield twice and then Uttoxeter. He was consistent thereafter before a couple of lesser efforts when a summer holiday was needed. Strong gelding who is likely to go chasing this winter which I think will bring about further improvement. Has an impressive strike rate of four wins from just 14 starts and goes well fresh.
Sidi Ismael
Although he only managed one victory last season, he had another fine campaign and ran multiple good races. He won over hurdles at Worcester on his comeback run and was then third in a competitive race at Cheltenham. When stepped up in distance, he ran two fine races to be a short head second over 3m4f at Taunton and then finish second in the West Wales National at Ffos Las carrying top weight off a mark of 134. Another who runs well fresh, he may find life tough off his rating but shows good attitude and he will be seen at his best in thorough staying races.
Sizing Pottsie
Sizing Pottsie was a Grade 2 winner over fences in Ireland and after winning a novice hurdle at Ayr on stable debut things did not really go to plan thereafter. He needs heavy going to be seen to best effect and he didn’t really have this at any point last season. With this in mind, we may go to France where he is more likely to get his favoured conditions. The handicapper has also given him a chance and so fingers crossed he can get back on track this season.
Skinfull
A new recruit, he is a gorgeous son of Doyen. He has finished a close second in his only start to date in an Irish Point-to-Point at Loughamore in April. We did enough with him at home to like what we saw before turning him away to grass. Coming along nicely at home and one to look forward to in bumpers and novice hurdles this season. Looking for an Owner!
Stray Bullet
A three year old who has won two races on the flat in France and been placed second twice from just seven starts. Shows a likeable attitude at home and has taken to jumping very well. Will be juvenile hurdling this season and could run on the flat as well.
Thanksforthehelp
Finally showed what he could really do when bolting up in a Pertemps Qualifier over hurdles at Chepstow in February. Sent of favourite for the final at the Cheltenham Festival in March, he did not have a lot of luck in running and finished mid-division but only beaten 8 lengths. He won again at Southwell in April in novice company before we quite fancied him for the stayers hurdle at Haydock in May. A below par effort that day can probably be excused by the ground being too lively. Rated 127 over hurdles he still has scope to progress and is also an exciting novice chasing prospect.
