- Saturday, 13 February 2016 11:59
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There are just two meetings taking place this afternoon with a jumps card at Exeter and an all-weather flat fixture from Southwell. Exeter have had plenty of rain (a surprise I know!) over the last few weeks so providing the meeting goes ahead David will have three runners; Dell 'Arca, Shotavodka and Lady Of Longstone. Tom Scudamore takes the mount aboard the first two, while Michael Heard takes 7lbs off of Lady Of Longstone's back. The ground is sure to be extremely testing so there are likely to be some slow motion finishes.
- Saturday, 13 February 2016 08:23
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Navanman completed a quick-fire hat-trick with success at Wetherby yesterday afternoon. It was a good piece of placement by David who sent the seven year old out to win three times in the last week. He was a welcome comeback winner for Michael Heard who was having his first ride since returning from an injury sustained in a fall at Cheltenham in November. Navanman once again jumped and travelled supremely well and beat a fellow hat-trick seeker with the remainder of the field well behind. He will make a nice staying chaser in time. Earlier in the card, Ikrapol hinted at more than a little ability when runner-up in the maiden hurdle behind promising type Cobra de Mai and it shouldn't be too long before he is winning something similar.
- Friday, 12 February 2016 08:08
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps action from Kempton and Wetherby and an all-weather flat fixture from Wolverhampton. David runs Ikrapol, Epic Warrior and Navanman at Wetherby. Ikrapol runs in the maiden hurdle and he has a couple of bits of form on heavy ground in France and hopefully he will go close with a clear round. Epic Warrior always seems to run a solid race and he is partnered by Kieron Edgar who claims a handy 3lbs off his back. Meanwhile Navanman (pictured above) is turned out again under a double penalty in an effort to complete a quick-fire hat-trick. Michael Heard is in the saddle and he takes 7lbs off his back. This is Michael's first ride since returning from injury and he looks to have been given a perfect opportunity to get back in the winners' enclosure. Over at Kempton Standing Ovation is a non-runner.
- Thursday, 11 February 2016 09:12
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
This afternoon there are three meetings taking place with jumping action from Huntingdon and Doncaster supported by an all-weather flat card from Chelmsford City. The stable has a couple of runners today as David sends Still Together and Vazaro Delafayette to run at Huntingdon. The trip should suit Still Together who was a winner of an Irish point-to-point and he is in this handicap on a mark of 103 - he looks to have each way prospects at odds of around 11/2. Meanwhile the Racing Post make Vazaro Delafayette (pictured above) their 7/2 favourite for the novices' handicap chase - he won a handicap hurdle at Newbury on soft ground last time out (albeit over a year ago) and he has schooled well over the larger obstacles at home. A big run is expected.
- Wednesday, 10 February 2016 08:20
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
With the abandonment of Ludlow there are just three meetings taking place this afternoon, although the jumps card from Carlisle has to pass an 8am inspection so hopefully they will get the go ahead. The good news is that there are two all-weather flat meetings from Southwell and Kempton - I don't say that very often! Even so the prize money at Kempton, which after all is supposed to be a Grade One track on the turf with the flat and jumps action can muster only £30,000 in prize money across their seven race card...it certainly leaves plenty to be desired.
- Tuesday, 09 February 2016 08:30
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It was good to see Navanman follow-up his Towcester success of last week in decisive fashion at Fakenham yesterday afternoon. He carried 12-1 which included a 7lbs penalty, but even so he was 8lbs 'well-in' and seemed to win with that amount in hand. The step up in trip certainly seems to have brought about some. I see David has several more entries for him over the coming days and I would not be surprised to see him turned out again at some point. Our ex-Irish pointer put in a faultless round of jumping yesterday and will make up into a nice chaser at some point. I was amused to see travelling head lad Craig Wylie interviewed by Attheraces' Bob Cooper after the race. Cooper asked Craig how long he had been at Pond House and suggested that he didn't look any different after all these years. Wylie replied that he takes good care of himself with a rigorous daily moisturising routine! He is currently awaiting a call from Nivea. Meanwhile Conor O'Farrell was among the winners aboard an outside ride so it was a good day all round.
- Monday, 08 February 2016 08:30
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Well, it's another wet and windy start to the day and we have three meetings to look forward to with jumps action from Fakenham and Musselburgh as well as an all-weather flat card from Wolverhampton. David runs Navanman (pictured above) in the 4.20pm race at Fakenham which is a 2m7 1/2f handicap hurdle. He runs with a 7lbs penalty for his easy success last week at Towcester and if he reproduces that form he will win again. He is due to go up 15lbs in future handicaps, so he is effectively 8lbs 'well-in' this afternoon. As a former Irish pointer he should appreciate the extra distance and Tom Scudamore takes over on board.
