- Monday, 18 March 2013 08:18
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
What a fantastic performance from Big Occasion to land the Midlands National at Uttoxeter on Saturday afternoon under amateur jockey Mr Mikey Ennis. Our six year old cruised into the straight running away before going on to win with any amount in hand on only his fifth start over fences. It was certainly the biggest win of Mikey's career who is now contemplating turning professional...he is certainly tidy and capable. I wonder if the owners The Old Betfairians had a little wager on the outcome? With a name like that I wouldn't be at all surprised!
- Sunday, 17 March 2013 00:00
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
After all of the excitement of the last week, it seems a bit of a subdued day with only a couple of meetings at Carlisle over the sticks and Lingfield on the all-weather to keep us entertained. A word of caution - if you are going to have a wager on any of the runners at Carlisle, do make sure that you back horses with guaranteed stamina. I once walked up the last three furlongs of the home straight and I would liken it more to the north face of the Eiger (not than I have ever climbed the north face of the Eiger, but you know what I mean!). I can understand why they sometimes say that horses walk from the last there...I was almost crawling!
- Saturday, 16 March 2013 08:18
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Well, the Festival is all over for another year but there is still plenty of action to look forward to, including five meetings this afternoon...three of them take place over the sticks at Ffos Las, Uttoxeter and Kempton, while there are also two all-weather cards at Wolverhampton and Lingfield. The higlight of the day is the Midlands Grand National and the stable has two runners in the race, Big Occasion and last year's hero Master Overseer (pictured above). Master Overseer (or 'Mo' as he is affectionately known in the yard) is much higher in the weights this time around from a mark of 147 but he is a difficult horse to pass when getting into a good early rhythm. The Tracey Shuffle is our only other runner this afternoon and he takes in the competitive 2m4 1/2f handicap hurdle.
- Friday, 15 March 2013 08:04
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Matuhi
It is with great sadness that we have to report that Matuhi had to be put down after suffering a fatal injury when falling at the last fence at Cheltenham yesterday. Our ten year old was in the process of running an excellent race and would certainly have been placed had he not come down at the last. He was attended to very quickly by the racecourse vets and given every to chance to recover but unfortunately he had to be put to sleep, please be assured he did not suffer. Matuhi was loved by all the staff at Pond House and this has put a real dampener on everyone's spirits. Our thoughts and best wishes go to his owners, the Kaplan and Phillips families at this sad time. Matuhi was the winner of 8 races in his career, on the flat, over hurdles and fences as well as being placed numerous times. He was great servant to connections and had given great pleasure over many years and he will be greatly missed.
- Thursday, 14 March 2013 08:13
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Dynaste
After another cold night I am pleased to report that Cheltenham has once again beaten the elements and racing goes ahead as planned. Hexham has unfortunately been lost to the weather and Towcester are inspecting at 8.30am. It is plenty frosty enough down at Pond House this morning and I even saw some deer on the lawn earlier. Does it get any better, sunshine, deer and Cheltenham races and hopefully a couple of winners! David has plenty of runners at Cheltenham today, 10 in fact. The star turn could be Dynaste who kicks our runners off in the opening race at 1.30pm. He is unbeaten over fences and has looked fairly impressive, fingers crossed he can keep his record in tact this afternoon. Ballynagour runs in the Byrne Group chase at 4pm. He won with any amount in hand on his Pond House debut at Warwick and the handicapper as reacted accordingly but hopefully he still has a great chance. Let's just hope they both run big races and come home safely.
- Wednesday, 13 March 2013 07:56
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Buddy Bolero
David has five runners at Cheltenham today and as you would expect it looks another very competitive card. It is great to hear that there are no problems at the track and despite temperatures of minus 5 degrees over night racing goes ahead as planned. We have a couple of unbeaten runners in the Bumper in Doctor Harper and Vieux Lion Rouge who have won five bumpers between them. Mind you, the 24 runners in the race have won 35 races between them! I met Doctor Harper yesterday, that is the real Dr Harper who he is named after, not the horse! It is difficult to choose between all our runners in the bumper and The Liquidator should go well as well but whatever happens today they are all some very nice horses for the future. Buddy Bolero starts off our runners this afternoon in the first race of the day, the amateur riders 4 mile chase. He is unbeaten over fences but it is a big step in class today so it will be interesting to see how he gets on. Top Irish amateur Jamie Codd rides and remember he won at the Festival a couple of years ago when riding Junior in the Kim Muir. Goulanes runs in the ultra classy RSA chase. He is four from four since joining Pond House and won a good race on his chase debut at Wetherby last time out. This is again tougher but the horse is a real trier and he is sure to be doing all his best work at the end. The Queen Mother Champion chase looks another one for the Henderson team with the 4/1 on chance Sprinter Sacre. He is already a star but he looks sure to confirm that further today.
- Tuesday, 12 March 2013 08:02
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Broadway Buffalo
Cheltenham are having an Inspection at 10.30am, due the the fact some parts of the course are frozen despite being under cover, fingers crossed it is on! Today there are three meetigs on, but only one that counts, Cheltenham! The stable has four runners today, His Excellency, The Package, Poole Master and Swing Bowler. It is very hard to tell you what the buzz is like at the Festival when the tape goes for the first race it is electric. I have been to Wembley Cup finals but nothing compares to Cheltenham. You have the the Guiness tent with Irish Folk bands and you even have Brazilian girl dancers without too many clothes on! I am not sure what they are advertising but whatever it is I would buy it!
