Graded Success

      Kingston Queen Winner at Warwick

It was a good week for the yard with three winners on the board from six runners at a 50% strike rate but as usual, things did not all go smoothly! A typical racing week!  Our first runners of last week did not come until Thursday at Doncaster and we travelled up there in search of a bit better ground but it basically rained all day and so that went out of the window!  October Hill did not enjoy conditions by the time it came to her race at the end of the day but she ran okay to be fourth, she will be better returned to a sounder surface.

Harley’s Pride did not mind conditions in the opening contest on the card and won on handicap debut under a good ride from Rian Corcoran.  She has not been the easiest to train as she is quite a character and has her own ideas about things!  She was not a straightforward ride in her novice hurdles but we always knew she had ability from her work at home.  Stepped up in trip the other day she appreciated going a bit slower throughout and Rian rode her very confidently.  She jumped well bar a small mistake at the last but was always in control.  She has moved to pastures new since the race and I wish her and connections best of luck going forwards.

We had four runners at two meetings on Saturday but I wish Uttoxeter had gone ahead and Itseemslikeit had ran there!  We did a second preference for him to run at Newbury but he was never really happy from an early stage in his race.  He ran off a career high mark in the best race he has contested over fences to date.   He still had a chance when a bad mistake at the cross fence ended any hope and Jack Tudor sensibly looked after him for another day by pulling him up.  He seems fine since the race which is the main thing and there will be another day for him.  No Walkover was also disappointing in the Listed Bumper.  He is a horse I hold in high regard and I thought he would take a lot of beating on Saturday.  Things looked good for the majority of the race and he moved into contention effortlessly as the field turned for home but he then checked out very quickly.  Once again, when his chance of winning was gone Jack looked after him but is was a disappointing result.  He seems fine since the race but we will monitor him in the coming to see if anything comes to light.  His point to point form was on this type of ground but it was fairly attritional conditions at Newbury on Saturday and being held up as he had to be meant he got a lot of kick back which may not have been ideal.  Back to the drawing board with him but we know it was a too bad a run to be true.  He will bounce back and he has a very bright future over obstacles later down the line.

I attended the wrong race meeting as it was a brilliant day for the team at Warwick on Saturday! Kingston Queen has barely put a foot wrong since joining us and has some high class form in the book.  She was impressive in beating a subsequent Grade 2 winner at Chepstow on hurdling debut and then we were a little disappointed in her finishing third at Cheltenham after this.  With the winner now favourite for the Supreme novice’s hurdle at Cheltenham next month it was probably not a bad run and I do not think she was at her best that day either.  She had certainly seemed in good form at home prior to Warwick on Saturday and so it proved in the race.  She was given a lovely ride from Conor O’Farrell who kept things simple, near the front of affairs and she travelled and jumped well throughout.  He sent her on rounding the home bend as they had not gone that fast and then she started lugging a bit towards the paddock in the final couple of furlongs when in front.  She gave her rivals a chance after the last and looked momentarily in trouble but then showed the heart and determination we know she has in abundance to pull out a bit more and win.    This race was over 2m3f and she will probably appreciate an even greater test in time but this was a nice performance.  She will have an entry in the mare’s novices hurdle at Cheltenham next month and while there aren’t many better mares this side of the Irish Sea perhaps there are a few lurking over the other side!  We will see how she is and make a plan but there are other nice opportunities coming up in the Spring for mares and there is plenty to look forward to with her. 

Phantomofthepoints was given a lovely front running ride by Rian Corcoran and he made all and scored impressively in the three-mile handicap hurdle.  He ran well on his seasonal reappearance to be third in the big race at Haydock and he then went chasing where he unfortunately fell.  I don’t think he was at his best back at Haydock last time but this was his true form om Saturday and on his day he is a very smart horse.  He is likely to get an entry in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys handicap hurdle at the Festival as he will be rated in the mid 130’s after this win and we will certainly consider running there.

This Week

The weather is likely to play its part in the racing programme this week with the rain set to continue.  We start the week with three runners at Plumpton on Monday but more about them next time.  We had entries at Ffos Las on Tuesday but that was called off on Sunday due to waterlogging.  We had entries at Wetherby on Wednesday and while we did not declare anything in the end, they must pass an 8am inspection on Tuesday morning for racing to go ahead.  I don’t know of any other inspections as yet but I am sure there will be for later in the week if the forecast is correct!

On Tuesday, Ocean Heights runs on the all-weather at Lingfield.  It is fair to say he has not been at his best in recent starts but he is well handicapped and I would not be surprised if he was to show an improved performance.  On Wednesday, Cynthia makes her stable debut on the all-weather at Kempton in a 2-mile handicap.  While her jumping is progressing at home I thought it was a good opportunity to get her onto the track for our Racing Club members.  She was last seen on the flat finishing second at Nottingham in October over a 1m6f and a repeat of that run would see her have a good chance in this.  Apprentice Jack Dace rides both of our flat runners.

Later in the week we have entries at Taunton on Thursday and at Chepstow and Kelso on Friday.  Keep checking the Daily News on the website for all the latest news on the stable runners.  At the weekend, Thanksforthehelp has an entry at Haydock while Jurancon, Gericault Roque and Gold in the Rivers are our entries at Ascot.  A little closer to home, Eton Mes and Royal Mer have entries at Wincanton and will love conditions if the rain keeps falling!

Cheltenham Festival Marquee

We still have spaces left in our Cheltenham Festival Marquee this year.  We are sold out on Tuesday but do have spaces available on the other days.  The marquee has a great location not too far from the paddock or the shopping village and provides a seat at a table for the day and somewhere to get away from the busy hustle and bustle.  There is easy access to food and a bar and betting and David runs through the day’s card and gives tips along with a celebrity guest at about 12 noon.  If you would like some further information about our facility or to buy a ticket, please do get in touch, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jim Old Charity Golf Day

For as long as I can remember, I have played in the Jim Old Charity Golf day at Malborough in August every year but I am sad to report the event will not be taking place anymore.  Jim has run this day for the past 35 years in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund and raised an incredible amount of money, in excess of £700,000 in that time.  He sadly contacted me and others recently to pass on the news that it will not be continuing in its current format with the same organising team anymore but he did invite anyone to continue the baton with their support.  Like a lot of things in life, things do get harder to organise, people are getting older and he felt the time was right to bow at.  I would just like to take this opportunity to thank Jim and his team for doing such a great job for so many years and raising such a fantastic amount of money.  It was always a very well run and enjoyable day and I shall miss playing.