- Thursday, 30 July 2015 08:01
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It is a sad day for racing as we bid farewell to Sir Peter O'Sullevan who passed away yesterday afternoon at the age of 97. Sir Peter was a legend of our sport with his instantly recognisable commentating style and his wonderful, friendly demeanour and infectious enthusiasm for our sport. The nation, not just racing has lost one of it's treasures and I am sure we will not see another like him. He wasn't just an iconic commentator either - he was a wonderful correspondent for the Daily Express as well a tireless worker for the welfare of animals throughout the world. Indeed, after his retirement from racing Sir Peter set up his charitable trust which benefitted Racing Welfare, Blue Cross, The Brooke, Compassion in World Farming, World Horse Welfare and the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre by raising millions of pounds.
- Wednesday, 29 July 2015 06:03
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There are four cards taking place this afternoon with flat action from Goodwood, Leicester, Redcar and Sandown. The abandonment of Perth due to waterlogging means that there is no jump racing on these shores today, although the Galway Festival continues over in Ireland where they have a mixed meeting on offer. The Goodwood card looks like a real cracker with the twenty runner 2m5f Goodwood Stakes the first race on the card at 2.00pm - that trip will take some getting, especially if there is any overnight rain. Top weight William Of Orange has to should 9-10, but at least he should handle any cut in the ground and he should go well under Luke Morris.
- Tuesday, 28 July 2015 07:38
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with flat action from Goodwood, Wolverhampton and Beverley and a jumps meeting from Worcester. The stable has one runner, My Brother Sylvest (pictured above) in the competitive handicap chase at Worcester. He finished behind another of today's runners Red Seventy at Stratford last time and meets him on worse terms this afternoon so he looks like he has it to do. The trouble is that he keeps running well without getting his head in front and as such he is still 9lbs higher in the weights than when last successful in October 2013.
- Monday, 27 July 2015 07:39
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with flat fixtures from Ayr, Southwell and Windsor supported by a jumps card from our local track at Newton Abbot. The stable has three runners at Newton Abbot; Prince Of Poets, Low Key and Junior Package. Following a very wet few days the ground at the Devon track is likely to be very testing. Prince Of Poets (pictured above right on the gallops recently) is a lightly raced four year old who managed to win a bumper on the all-weather at Lingfield as well as finish third at Worcester on good/firm ground - these will certainly be different underfoot conditions today. Meanwhile Low Key was a facile winner on the flat for David last term and he finished a good third at Taunton over hurdles last time - he acted on soft ground on the level and he looks to have solid claims. Our final runner is Junior Package who competes in the bumper - he was fourth on his first ever racecourse appearance and with the benefit of that experience I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him go well. Tom Scudamore is aboard all three of our runners today.
- Saturday, 25 July 2015 11:00
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with flat cards from Pontefract and Carlisle as well as a jumps fixture from Uttoxeter. The stable has two runners at Uttoxeter; Houston Dynimo and Standing Ovation. Houston Dynimo (pictured above) finished third at Ffos Las last time out when only beaten 2 1/2 lengths on good/firm ground - he is a consistent individual and he should run his race once again although he looks as though he could do with dropping a couple of pounds in the weights. Useful chaser Standing Ovation reverts to the smaller obstacles in the 2m7f handicap hurdle. Tom Scudamore rides them both.
- Saturday, 25 July 2015 08:38
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
The stable enjoyed a nice winner yesterday when Weather Babe made a winning chase debut at Uttoxeter. There can't have been many more appropriate winners yesterday - it never stopped raining at Pond House, indeed we had 37ml of rain in just 24 hours! Wayne and Sarah Clifford's home bred mare was a decent hurdler and she jumped well in the main and looks like she could be even better over the larger obstacles. She receives a handy mares' allowance and is very much one to keep on the right side of in the coming months. Meanwhile Perspicace ran a sound race when a close fourth in the handicap hurdle and A Hairy Koala was far from disgraced in sixth - they should both be capable of winning races before too long.
- Friday, 24 July 2015 07:40
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There are six meetings taking place this afternoon with five on the level from Ascot, Thirsk, York, Newmarket and Chepstow as well as a jumps card from Uttoxeter. The stable has three runners at Uttoxeter; Weather Babe, Perspicace and A Hairy Koala. Weather Babe (pictured above on the gallops) takes in the beginners' chase and if she can translate her hurdling ability to fences she should take plenty of beating, especially as she receives a handy 7lbs from the geldings. Perspicace and A Hairy Koala both compete in the handicap hurdle at 4.55pm and they have the form to win a race of this nature. If I were to choose, I may just plump for the latter in receipt of the weight although there shouldn't be a lot between them - that's what you call sitting on the fence! Yesterday's runners at Worcester, Lady Of Longstone and Flabello were both a little disappointing but the handicapper should drop them a few pounds...or am I dreaming?!
