67 Winner Mark

Meanwhile back on the domestic front at Cheltenham we tried to beat the mighty Big Bucks and although we got much closer this time with the slight change of tactics, he once again showed us all just how good he is.  Just for a few strides I thought just maybe, just maybe today may be the day we may be able to get out head in front, but I am sure he just likes to keep us all on the edge of our seats as he powered away from us up the Cheltenham hill!  I am thoroughly delighted with the performance of our six year old, Dynaste.  The different tactics did give us a better chance of throwing down a challenge to the champ and he probably ran the race of his life.  He has come out of the race well and will now head to Cheltenham in March with the World Hurdle his target where we will again have another crack at Big Bucks.  There is some nice place money on offer to and whatever happens there I am very excited about him going novice chasing next season.

There was a dampener to the day on Saturday as I am saddened to report that we lost Mr Chow.  He sustained an injury to his leg in the novices handicap chase and sadly had to be put down.  It was extremely sad for his owner Malcolm Denmark and all connections as we will not get to see him fulfill his potential.  He was the winner of two chases this season and on an upward curve and who knows how could he could have been.  He was quite badly hampered at a fence at the top of the hill which cost him all chance in the race and he will be sadly missed by all of us at Pond House.  I would also like to say a special well done to Neil Mulholland and his team for winning the Argento chase with Midnight Chase.  Neil trains just up the road from Pond House and it is great for him to get this horse back winning a top prize.

On a happier note I was delighted with the return to form of Quinte Du Chatelet when winning at Hereford last Wednesday.  He missed last season through injury and had been struggling to recapture his form since returning to action but his handicap mark had slowly been easing and he was able to capitalize on this.  In heavy ground he lead all the way and really relished conditions.  I was particularly delighted for his owners, Brocade racing as they have been great supporters of mine of the years and this was their 30th winner.  By strange coincidence Quinte was the first horse they bought and he was also their first winner back at Taunton in 2009 so it was especially nice for all concerned.  It was also great news the day before when another stable favourite, Painter Man returned to the winner’s enclosure after winning easily at Leicester.  Painter Man has been plagued by injuries over the years and his owners David and Elaine Long have been extremely patient.  He is quite a character but loved the testing conditions under Tom Scudamore and scored decisively.  Both horses are entered this week and could run with a penalty while we wait to see what the handicapper does to them.

These wins meant we surpassed last season’s winners total of 65 and now move onto the 67 mark.  We have also had some real quality winners this year as well which adds extra satisfaction.  It is great to have achieved this so early and although I have reached the 100 winners in a season before and this will be the target this year but it will be quite tough.  We shall keep ticking along and see how many we can get!

Looking ahead to this week I will not have that many runners but we have big meetings to look forward to at Sandown, Ffos Las and Wetherby at the weekend.  Beattie Green, Bathwick Brave and Woodlark Island all run at Taunton on Tuesday and then we will have to see what the weather does to the racing action later in the week.  Temperatures are quite low at Pond House today and it has been snowing all morning, although thankfully it has not settled as yet.  So far this winter we have been extremely lucky with the weather so long may it continue!

Many of you may have seen but young jockey Tom Bellamy has now joined the professional ranks and turned conditional.  After discussing it with Tom we decided that now would be the right time to change and he will claim a very valuable 10 pounds until he rides five winners.  Tom is a very talented young rider and he was seen to great effect when winning on Swing Bill at the Paddy Power meeting at Cheltenham in November.  Tom was due to have his first ride as a pro on I'msingingtheblues at Doncaster on Saturday but unfortuantely he did not run although I am sure he will be in action very soon and he is a name to watch out for.  I can also report good news of our amateur jockeys who were also in the winner’s enclosure at the point to points this weekend.  Mikey Ennis got off the mark for the season at Higham while Kieron Edgar also rode a winner, his third of the season at the same meeting, so very well done to them.  Also I must say well done to Tom Scu who had a nice winner at Cheltenham on Saturday and then followed it with a treble at Ffos Las yesterday.  All our jocks are in great form so long may it continue!