Winners & More!

There were two winners for the stable last week with Hammer Dan winning at Newton Abbot and Mr Tambourine Man winning again at Uttoxeter on Saturday evening.  Hammer Dan had not shown much in truth on the racecourse so far but we knew from his homework he is more capable that he had shown to date so it was nice our patience finally paid off!

Jack Tudor gave him a lovely ride, held up at the back before moving through the field, and it was nip and tuck down to the last flight of hurdles.  Neither horse jumped it that well but we did not lose any momentum and he galloped all the way to the line.  He won this race off a mark of 72 and I do not think the handicapper will be too harsh so there is no need to run him again quickly.  I hope this victory will have done his confidence the world of good and there is more to come. 

Mr Tambourine won nicely at Uttoxeter, following up from his Worcester win off a six-pound higher mark.  He has been thriving in recent weeks and it is good to see him so happy and enjoying his racing again.  He had a few physical issues, which we have managed to help him with and despite the ground being a little softer than ideal following late rain; this did not affect him either.  He won by seven lengths in the end so I am sure we will be taking another rise in the ratings.  Even if he does take a steep rise for the win, then we are still hopefully fairly treated compared to his old rating.  There is a race for him coming up at Newton Abbot over hurdles, which he will have an entry in and we may try him back on the flat in a staying handicap, as he hopefully has room for improvement off his flat rating as well!

We had a handful of other runners in the last week, all running well and several filling the placings.  Born in the West made a very promising professional debut in the bumper at Newton Abbot to be a close second.  He looked likely to win as the runners turned for home but was unfortunately caught by a fast finishing rival close to the line.  Tres Bien was not far behind in third in the same race on her racecourse debut and it was a pleasing effort.  Rebel Angel also ran well on the flat to be third at Salisbury on Sunday under Saffie Osborne and she looking capably of getting her head in front again soon.

Coltor ran well for a long way at Worcester before getting a little tired and he should come on a lot for the run.  Granny Smith showed promise on debut in the bumper at Uttoxeter and Bashful Boy did not enjoy the softer ground at Sandown.

This Week

We start the new week with a flat runner at Carlisle on Monday afternoon, Manuelito.  On Tuesday Ocean Heights runs over hurdles at Stratford.  He won a bumper at the course a few years ago and after finishing third at Ffos Las last time out we have added cheek pieces to help sharpen up his jumping.

We have two runners for the David Pipe Racing Club at Worcester on Wednesday, Kintaro and Only Fools.  Kintaro ran promisingly at Bangor last time over hurdles to be third on just his second start over timber at big odds.  If he can reproduce that effort, he should not be too far away but the Paul Nicholls short priced favourite is the one they all have to beat.  Only Fools runs in the 2m4f handicap hurdle, the final race on the card.  She is admirably consistent and ran well on her latest start at Hereford to be third.  We have given her a bit of time since that run and she likes Worcester so I am sure she can give us a good run for our money.  Join the David Pipe Racing Club and you could be going to Worcester on Wednesday as an owner!  It is just £150 for the year and so email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details. 

After runners at Worcester on Wednesday things look a little quieter towards the end of the week.  Chemical Warfare is likely to head to Market Rasen on Friday should he get in.  He was a last fence faller at Worcester last time when holding every chance so we are looking to give him a confidence-boosting run back over the smaller obstacles. 

There is just one jumps meeting over the entire weekend upcoming and Born in the West is our sole entry at the meeting.  He has come out of the race at Newton Abbot so well we thought we would give him another entry and see how he is over the coming days.

Our only other entry at the weekend is another on the flat, Oceanline at Ffos Las in the two mile staying handicap.  This will be his first run back since a winter break and he is the type of horse to run well fresh, like he did at Ascot in October. Rob Hornby who won on him that day is booked to ride and he is only two pounds higher than when he won at Ascot so I am hopeful of a big run.  Keep checking the Daily News on the website for all the latest information on the stable runners.

Royal Ascot

We are on the eve of the Royal Ascot meeting and Leanne and I are going on Tuesday.  While unfortunately, no runners this year it is a day out we both really enjoy and has become somewhat a family tradition.  My son Jack, is desperate to come with us, maybe next year!  With Tom Marquand riding for us at Carlisle I was left a note by Jack before he headed off to school to ask him about his upcoming rides at the Royal meeting and especially about Big Evs on Tuesday.  We will certainly be cheering him on in our hourse! It was 14 years ago that Junior won the Ascot Stakes for me on stable debut with Seb Sanders riding.  He won the race of a mark of 85 but he would have just missed out on getting a run these days.     

Budding Artist

My daughter Martha, (8) is also following the racing a bit more now and she is a big fan of our stable jockey, Jack Tudor.  She also likes painting and decided to paint Jack’s portrait!  We gave it to him at Newton Abbot and as you can see I think he was quite impressed by her effort!