- Monday, 03 February 2025 15:54
- Written by David Pipe
River Run Free Winner at Lingfield
From limited runners last week we added another winner to the seasons tally taking us to 44, with River Run Free winning well at Lingfield on Friday. He was making his chasing and handicap debut with a first time tongue strap and all these elements combined saw an improved performance and nice win. He had run well in an Irish point to point to finish second to the horse, Final Demand and we saw how impressive he was in winning at Leopardstown on Saturday. River Run Free had struggled a bit in is hurdles to date, but appreciated the larger obstacles and travelled and jumped well before really battling on gamely in the finish when Jack Tudor asked him for his effort. The front two did pull away from the rest but I do not think the handicapper can be too harsh for this victory and there should be plenty more fun to be had with him going forwards.
Vision De Maine bounced back from a below par run on Boxing Day to be third at Plumpton on Monday. The track was probably a little sharper than ideal but he galloped all the way to the line and was not beaten that far. Gentleman Toboot and Shot Boii also ran well during the week at Chepstow. Shot Boii finished fourth while Gentleman Toboot finished second to a nice type in the Bumper and was giving weight away to the winner. While a little disappointing to be beaten I don’t think we lost too much in defeat he is still very much one to look forward to long term. Eden Du Houx ran well enough at Sandown also while Lady Balko and King Turgeon were disappointing in their respective races. Both were never really going and Jack Tudor wisely looked after both and pulled them up when they had no chance of winning. It was too bad to be true on both counts but they both seem fine after their races and we will keep an eye on them this week and see if anything comes to light.
This Week
We start our runners this week with a busy day at Taunton on Tuesday. We have no runners on Wednesday while we are likely to be represented at Ffos Las and Doncaster on Thursday. On Friday the action may come from Kempton and on Saturday Itseemslikeit could return to action at either Newbury or Uttoxeter. Exeter have a valuable race card on Sunday and recent Wincanton winner Phantomofthepoints could run in the Pertemps handicap hurdle qualifier while new recruit Rouban could make his debut the concluding bumper on the card. They also race at Chepstow on Sunday and Chauffeur Driven and Givehimthehonour are our entries there. Keep checking the Daily News on the website for the latest information on the stable runners.
HORSE FOR SALE – ETON MES
We are delighted to have privately purchased the horse ETON MES (IRE). He is a lovely big four-year-old bay gelding measuring 16.3hh. He has had one start in a bumper for Rod Millman and finished third at Exeter on New Year’s Day. He ran a little green that day but was doing his best work at the end and he was only beaten four lengths. He was originally bought to run on the flat but when you see the size and physique of him you can understand why they decided he was more of a National Hunt horse! He is by the sire Expert Eye who stands in South Africa but has produced jumps winners from not that many runners. Eton Mes and is half-brother to winners on the flat and having only recently arrived with us at Pond House he is settling in well and shows good ability and a great attitude on the gallops. He is quite a laid-back character and very easy to deal with which stands him in good stead for the future. The plan will be to run him in another bumper or two in the coming months before turning him away and looking forward to novice hurdling in the autumn. He is available to buy for £45,000 + VAT but we may consider and half or quarter share should anyone be interested please do get in touch – 01884 840715 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Point to Point News
It is great that after having to abandon our most local point to point at Chipley Park recently they have managed to re-arrange it for this coming Saturday 8th February. It is not an easy task to re-schedule a meeting when you need to re-organise stewards, vets, doctors, paramedics and helpers so well done to all those involved in getting it on. The entries stand and we are likely to take all four horses that we planned to run last time there this weekend. African Lady, Fighter Allen, Sidi Ismael and Royal Defender are intended runners and will be partnered by either Rian Corcoran or Martin McIntyre. For young Mia Holmes it will hopefully be second time lucky to have her first ride aboard her grandmother’s horse in the hunt race. The first race is at 12 noon and it is well worth a day out if you are able.
Well done to our young amateur Rian Corcoran who rose a winner at Milborne St Andrew point to point on Sunday. Trained by his father I am told he gave it a lovely patient ride and scored easily in the end to bring up his third winner of the season so far.
