- Monday, 14 November 2016 08:42
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
What a performance from Moon Racer at Cheltenham yesterday afternoon to land the Supreme Novices' Hurdle Trial in good fashion. I reckon he had a bit in hand despite being 4lbs worse off with old rival Ballyandy and he looks to have a great chance at the Festival in March, all things going smoothly between now and then. Sadly the bet of £4,000 to £9,000 was not mine, although I don't reckon the person who placed the bet had too many anxious moments! Tom Scu had him in the right position throughout and he looks like a real top-notcher. Meanwhile, Port Navas finished a close second at Fontwell yesterday, beaten only 1/2 length - surely his turn near.
- Sunday, 13 November 2016 08:50
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Moon Racer (nearside) on the Gallops
There are just two meetings today, both over the jumps at Cheltenham and Fontwell. David has two runners at Cheltenham and one at Fontwell. Moon Racer runs in the 12.45pm novice hurdle over 2 miles. Our seven year old Champion Bumper winner of 2015 is in good form. He just beat Ballyandy on his hurdling debut at Perth last time and they meet again with us having to give four pounds to Ballyandy. It is far from a two horse race but Moon Racer should run very well. Chic Theatre runs in the 3.05pm, 2m5f conditional jockeys handicap hurdle. He needs to improve on his last couple of runs but he does have a fair amount of ability and he has an each way chance with Michael Heard claiming a handy three pounds. Port Navas runs in the 12.25pm at Fontwell, a handicap hurdle over 2m5f. He was a well beaten second at Huntingdon last time out but that at least was a step in the right direction from anything he had previously done and any rain they get will help. David Noonan rides taking three pounds off.
- Saturday, 12 November 2016 08:05
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
What A Moment - Cheltenham Winner
Today we have five meetings, jumps cards at Cheltenham, Wetherby and Uttoxeter plus two flat cards at Lingfield and Wolverhampton. David has two runners at Cheltenham, Doctor Harper and Ballynagour and one runner at Uttoxeter, Batavir. Doctor Harper runs in the 1.50pm, 3m3f handicap chase and he is 12/1 in the Post. He was disappointing last time out at Haydock when Tom Scu said the ground was too quick for him. He has had a nice summer break since then and we have had some rain this week so hopefully he can return to form this afternoon. Ballynagour runs in the 2.25pm Betvictor chase. He last two runs have been good and he returns after a break but it looks a tough task off top weight but he might have a small each way chance.
- Friday, 11 November 2016 08:19
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Cheltenham and Newcastle and all-weather flat fixtures from Lingfield and Wolverhampton. Today is the first day of Cheltenham's Open meeting and David has four runners, although three of those come in the amateur riders' race. Impulsive American (pictured above) takes in the two mile handicap chase at 1.30pm and it is very competitive as you would expect. The Post make our four year old a 7/1 chance - he always seems to run his race and seems to go on any ground. This is as hard a test as he has faced but he still has each-way prospects under Tom Scudamore.
- Thursday, 10 November 2016 08:31
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Poisoned Berry put up a good performance to win her first race over hurdles yesterday at Exeter under David Noonan. Our four year old won the novices' hurdle by an impressive eleven lengths and it looked as though the rain softened ground may have helped her. She only carried 10-4...let's hope the handicapper remembers that! Although she is not the biggest, she is certainly tough and has a good attitude and may be even better going the other way around. I bet part-owner Keith Webb was hosting a party at his put in Exmouth last night - he loves his racing and certainly knows how to celebrate!
- Wednesday, 09 November 2016 08:34
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps action from Bangor, Exeter and Ayr as well as an all-weather flat fixture from Kempton. Tom Scu faces a long journey as he travels all the way up to Scotland to take the ride aboard Red Square Revival at Ayr in the 2m4f maiden hurdle at 1.10pm. Our five year old already has a win under his belt courtesy of his sole previous start in a Worcester bumper and this looks like a good opportunity to supplement that success. Meanwhile, David has three runners more locally as Kalifourchon, Gary Charm and Poisoned Berry all compete at Exeter.
- Tuesday, 08 November 2016 08:28
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
It is not surprising that David has kept plenty of his powder dry over the past few weeks. October has often been dry in the past, but the month just gone was the driest since we have been recording rainfall (which goes back 15 years). It has led to unseasonably fast ground and Taunton went as far as abandoning this Thursday's meeting last week as the ground was firm (hard in places). Kempton Clerk of the course Barney Clifford corroborates this saying they have "put on 460mm of water since August 27th, that is a phenomenal amount". I have never known it so dry where I live and the golf course where I play is also very hard, mind you it does mean my short drives go a lot further so it is not all bad!
