- Monday, 27 January 2025 16:26
- Written by David Pipe
Jilaijone Winner at Uttoxeter
Our only runners of the week were on Saturday and it was brilliant to get an across the card double with Belfrina and Jilaijone. Belfrina made it third time lucky at Doncaster on Saturday to win a listed mares hurdle and get some valuable black type in the process. She was unlucky in her previous race at the course, falling at the final hurdle when looking likely to win. It was actually the same two fillies locking horns again from two out this time around it was more of a battle this time, but our filly showed a great attitude to knuckle down and win going away close to the line. That was only the fifth run of her life, third over hurdles and she is improving every time. She has a good engine and the heart to match and there is plenty more to come.
Jilaijone was our second winner on Saturday, winning easily at Uttoxeter under Fergus Gillard. He has been a model of consistency all season but does find it difficult to get his head in front and so it was great he was able to get this confidence-boosting win. The handicapper had given him some help and it represented a drop in grade of race and the further he went the better he went over 2m4f. I hope the handicapper does not overreact too much for the easy win and he can build on this again next time. Royal Mer also put in his best run of the season to finish third and it was a good step in the right direction.
This Week
This week was due to be busier on the runners front but following the weekends stormy weather there are a several abandoned meetings in the coming days. Hereford was lost to waterlogging on Monday while Leicester on Wednesday and Ffos Las on Thursday have already followed suit. We have two runners at Chepstow on Tuesday and fingers crossed this will go ahead. Shot Boii runs in the 2m7f handicap chase and needs to bounce back from a below par run last time. The handicapper has given him some help and it would be great to get his head in front again. Gentleman Toboot runs in the concluding bumper and Jack Tudor is on board both of our runners. He won at Fontwell on Boxing Day and carries a penalty for that victory. This looks a tough race but the course will suit and he is a horse I hold in high regard. He is very much one for the future but he should go well.
On Wednesday, we have just the one runner at Exeter, Sirekoff and Taylor Fisher rides. On Thursday, we have entries at Wincanton and a flat entry at Southwell, Ocean Heights. On Friday, we have entries at Lingfield which includes Lady Balko in the Surrey National. Over the weekend we have Eden Du Houx entered at Sandown on Saturday and King Turgeon entered in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh on Sunday. Keep checking the Daily News on the website for the latest news on the stable runners.
Remastered Retires
Remastered has been a superb horse for owners, Brocade Racing and Pond House for many years but we have decided to call time on his wonderful career. Having just turned 12 he pulled up at Market Rsen most recently and was found to have an irregular heartbeat. While this is not uncommon in racehorses and he is absolutely fine since, it made our decision to retire him that bit easier. I can honestly say I do not think we have ever had him looking better than this season and it was a special win to get him back at Wincanton in October. His form in recent years has been a little patchy but he has always retained his enthusiasm and been working well at home. He retires having won eight races from 34 career starts. He won a bumper on stable debut and then a novice hurdle but it was not until he went chasing that he really came into his own. He won his first chase at Carlisle in November 2020 and followed up by winning at Wetherby and then the Reynoldstown Novices chase, Grade 2 at Ascot that year. Later that season he finished fifth in the National Hunt Chase a the Cheltenham Festival behind Galvin with Tom Scu riding as it was during Covid when amateur jockeys were not allowed to ride.
After a summer break he returned with a prep run over hurdles and then was travelling ominously well in the Ladbrokes Trophy chase at Newbury and holding every chance when taking a crashing fall. Who knows what might have been that day but he then finished second in the Tommy Whittle chase at Haydock on his next start and fourth in the Peter Marsh chase behind Royal Pagaille.
We followed the same route the following autumn and he returned to action over hurdles at Aintree and won the Pertemps handicap hurdle. He then finished ½ a length second to Le Milos in the 2022 Coral Gold Cup running a cracker. He then went to Kempton at Christmas and won a valuable handicap chase carrying top weight. He has always been a character and that day, he whipped around at the starters flag as the tapes went off and lost valuable lengths. Having planned to be handy throughout, Tom Scu reverted to plan B and he picked his way through the field and stayed on strongly to the line.
It was after this race he struggled for form and only completed once out of his next five starts. We talked of retirement nearly a year ago but we decided to give him one more go and I am so glad we did. His victory at Wincanton in October meant so much and it was an emotional success for the whole team. I think he would have finished either first or second in the Badger Ales chase after this has he not fallen at the cross fence but it was not meant to be and the Coral Gold Cup was a bridge too far.
He won five chases, two hurdle races and a bumper in his career and over £176,000 in prize money and was rated 151 at best. Wind and physical issues have always played their part with him and he has not been the easiest to train but on a good day he was very good and we have some great memories to cherish. He has always been a lively ride and not easy but Ashley Farrant has ridden him for the large majority of his career at home and done a very good job with him and Sue Lower has always looked after him. He will remain here at Pond House until we find him the perfect home for an active retirement.
Ascot Asks
Ascot racecourse came and filmed a piece with me at Pond House recently and you can now watch it on You Tube by following the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj9djTj24zI
Gearoid Harney Update
A quick update to let you know Gearoid is recovering okay from his fall at Fakenham. He looks a bit black and blue but is having plenty of rest and is looking forward to getting back riding out in due course.
