Safe And Sound

Terfel’s Toscar managed to go one better at Newton Abbot last Thursday in the 3m3f handicap hurdle under a canny ride from Conor O’Farrell.  Our seven year old had been touched off at the same venue the previous week over 2m6f, but he held on bravely over the extra distance.  He was officially 7lbs “well-in” here, and did it well.

While we left Aintree empty handed,  I was delighted by the performance of Top Wood who landed the novices’ hurdle at Chepstow on Grand National day in good style.  He had shown very good form in bumpers in the French provinces but had disappointed at Towcester on his British debut over hurdles.  We knew that he was an awful lot better than that performance and I am glad that he was able to show as much here, making all the running under Hadden Frost and holding on well from a useful runner-up (the pair 22 lengths clear of the third).  He should go on from this and I am sure that he can make up into a very nice hurdler.

On Sunday Enfant de Lune (pictured right) sprang something of a surprise at Ffos Las when winning under Tom Scudamore at the rewarding odds of 14/1.  He was able to put a couple of disappointing efforts behind him and returned to the sort of form that saw him score on his debut for us at Sandown earlier in the season, beating a progressive young horse of Nicky Henderson’s in the process.  He has proven to be a sound buy from the sales last year and will probably have to step up in grade next time.

Now, we ought to address the Grand National and the usual furore that surrounds it post race.  Firstly, I am pleased to report that both of our runners Junior and Swing Bill have come out of the race safe and sound.  Junior was an early casualty, departing at the second fence and as such he doesn’t know that he has had a race.  We have left him in the Scottish National at Ayr this weekend and he could well participate in that, although he will have to contend with top weight.

Our other runner Swing Bill came home in 10^th place and could well have finished a good deal closer but for being very badly hampered by a faller in front of him at the Chair.  Nonetheless he jumped spectacularly in the hands of young Conor O’Farrell who was having his first ride in the race – I am sure that it was the thrill of his riding career so far.  Both Swing Bill and Junior are still engaged in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on the final day of the season.

I would like to pass on my heartfelt condolences to the connections of Synchronised and According To Pete who were both lost under unforeseen circumstances in the big race.  It is a very sad loss for all concerned as these horses become a part of your extended family.  However, I urge that we do not make some kind of unfounded knee-jerk reaction to these losses.  As with all competitive sport there is an element of risk and Aintree have continually been at pains to improve the safety for both horse and jockey for many years now.  They will review the race as they always do and make the appropriate improvements.

Congratulations to winning connections of Neptune Collonges for landing a Grand National at last.  He was given a fine ride by Daryl Jacob, but spare a thought for poor Richie McLernon and Jonjo O’Neill who came so close with Sunnyhill Boy, and also Noel Fehily who is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after fracturing his right leg in three places.  Noel has been very unlucky with injury down the years and I hope that he quickly recovers from this latest setback.

Looking forward to the remainder of the week, we will be having runners at Exeter and Kempton, while we will also be represent at Cheltenham mid-week before travelling north to Scotland this weekend.  For all the latest news on our runners, keep up to date with Chester’s Daily Chat.