Winning Return

    Make Me A Believer Winner at Exeter 

It was fantastic to have Make Me A Believer back in the winners enclosure at Exeter on Friday, winning his first race over fences in the hands of Jack Tudor.  Our eight year old was having only the eighth run of his life having been a very good novice hurdler originally but then picking up a tendon injury and being off the track for nearly two years.  Last season he did return to run in three chases and ran okay each time but he wasn’t the easiest to train behind the scenes.  Since he returned from his summer holiday this time around however and since his wind operation he has had a smooth run of things and this reflected in his performance. 

He travelled really strongly and jumped well and moved to the front travelling nicely from the second last.  Whether he was getting tired or just idling slightly from the last he won with a reduced lead on the run in which hopefully means the handicapper cannot be too harsh on him!  He has come out of the race well which is the main thing and I hope he can continue have a really good winter ahead. 

There were good runs from both King Turgeon at Chepstow and Pachacuti at Warwick on Wednesday.  King Turgeon has taken a little while to acclimatize to life in England but I thought this was his most promising run to date in this country.  He jumped very well, travelled strongly and stayed galloping to the line to finish a close second to a well-treated/inform rival.  He revels in heavy conditions and hopefully our five year old can continue to progress.  Pachacuti travelled and jumped well on his chasing debut in a strongly run race before a blunder three out really knocked the stuffing out of him.  In fairness to him, he recovered well and galloped all the way to the line to be second.  The horse that was clear and going to win actually fell at the last, but then it was a battle between the two of us for victory.  He was a little wobbly after the race having tried so hard but I am pleased to say he has recovered well and I am sure he will have no trouble in winning a similar sort of race in due course.

Remastered returned to action at Aintree over the weekend and while initially disappointed there are positives to take from his performance and we now have three weeks to get him ready for the Newbury Gold Cup.  The hurdles being taken out due to low sun did not help but Jack felt he got quite tired from two out.  His wind seemed fine which is good news and this will have given him some confidence again going forwards.  While I had hoped for a little better, he has come out of this fine and it will have blown away a few cobwebs!

This Week

It is a fairly quiet start to this week for the stable with our first runners likely to be at Bangor on Wednesday.  Bumpy Johnson has been declared for his chasing debut and Eden Du Houx will run in the valuable chase of the day.  The track does have to pass a Monday afternoon inspection however to race so things no not look that hopeful.  On Thursday we have entries at Taunton’s first meeting of the season while on Friday we have entries at Cheltenham, Doncaster and on the flat at Wolverhampton.  We have three days of Cheltenham’s November meeting to look forward to this weekend so keep checking the Daily News for more updates on the stables runners. 

Affordability Checks – Sign the Petition

Our whole industry needs to get behind the petition to stop the Gambling Commission bringing in affordability checks.  Our sport is estimated to lose up to £250 million over the next five years due to these checks and we all need to do our bit.  If you haven’t already, please do sign up, it doesn’t take long and we really need to reach the 100,000 target to ensure this issue gets considered to be debated in parliament.  The petition says affordability checks are “inappropriate and discriminatory”, risk pushing bettors to the black market and will harm British racings finances.  It really could affect anyone whose job relies on horse racing and it is the right thing for all of those who our involved and enjoy our sport to get behind this campaign.  Please click on the link below to sign the petition:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/649894

Graham Lee

Graham Lee suffered a horrible fall at Newcastle on Friday evening after being unseated from his horse leaving the stalls.  He remains in hospital in intensive care with “very serious injuries” and I am sure you will all join me in sending our thoughts and best wishes to him and his family at this difficult time.  He is a talented jockey having ridden many winners under both codes and of course won the Grand National aboard Amberleigh House.  He came schooling at Pond House when he used to ride over jumps and rode for me as well.   

Cheltenham Sales

There is sales on Friday evening after racing at Cheltenham.  The sale gets underway at 4.45pm with a catalogues 50 lots although there are a few spaces still for wildcards which are likely to be filled from Irish and English point to point winners from the weekend just gone.  There are some exciting types of offer at varying budgets and so if you would like to know more please do get in touch.

Harry Junior

Harry Junior is a new recruit to the yard this week.  He is a gorgeous big three year old by Doyen who will carry the colours of Brocade Racing.  Bought from the Derby sale in Ireland he is half-brother to Harry Senior who was a graded hurdles winner carrying the owner’s colours for Colin Tizzard.  He, sadly, did not get to fulfil his potential but he was very talented and Garth and Anne were keen to buy his half-brother when the opportunity came along.  He has done his pre-training with Will Biddick but we will take things slowly with him and hope to have him ready to run in a bumper after Christmas.  He has settled in well and has an exciting long term future.