- Thursday, 09 January 2014 08:21
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Western Warhorse was a good winner on his chasing debut at Doncaster yesterday afternoon. He was given a good, positive front-running ride from Tom Scudamore and he held on well after the last. He jumped superbly well considering this was his first attempt at the larger obstacles (although he was the winner of a point-to-point in Ireland) and looks yet another exciting prospect for the stable. Tom Scu described him as a fruit loop...you can make of that what you will! Thomas Junior made a satisfactory debut over hurdles to finish fourth in a decent looking maiden hurdle and will improve with experience, while Smiles For Miles looked like he was in need of a slightly longer trip.
- Wednesday, 08 January 2014 08:14
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
It was a good day for the stable yesterday when our only runner at Leicester, Edmund Kean was successful on his chasing debut. This was an impressive first effort over the larger obstacles in what looked a decent little novices' handicap chase - he jumped very well and jockey Tom Scu echoed that sentiment, adding 'he is one of those horses that will keep improving'. Rated 132 over fences going into yesterday's contest, our former Irish point-to-point winner looks likely to take high rank among the novices' this term.
- Tuesday, 07 January 2014 08:22
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
This afternoon we have a jumps meeting at Leicester and an all-weather flat card to look forward to at Southwell. It's amazing how there is any racing taking place on the turf when you see how much rain we have had in the west country. Apparently Leicester have had a dry night - it has been so long, I can't remember the last time anything was dry around here! Recent pictures show Worcester with standing water up to the top of the running rails, while I would hate to think what Newton Abbot is like at present. In Brixham we had water coming over the lower harbour walls and I haven't seen anything like that in many years.
- Monday, 06 January 2014 08:29
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Well, sadly Taunton abandoned today's meeting on Saturday but at least there is some jumps action taking place at Southwell. Things are obviously looking up as the course officials scrapped an early morning inspection and said the track was good to go. Meanwhile there is also an all-weather flat card taking place at Wolverhampton. The stable has one runner, Off The Wall (pictured above, nearside) in the three mile handicap chase at Southwell and he will be partnered by Tom Scudamore. He has plenty of consistent form and should handle the ground.
- Sunday, 05 January 2014 00:00
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Another uncertain start to the day with Plumpton inspecting again this morning at 7.00am to see if their Sussex National meeting can go ahead. I suppose it is only right that they should give their biggest fixture every opportunity of going ahead, but I hope they do not let it drag on to the point where horses, jockeys and connections start arriving at the track. There should be no problems with the all-weather at Southwell unless we experience floods of biblical proportions!
- Saturday, 04 January 2014 08:01
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
The recent deluges are really starting to take their toll on the fixture list now and following Sandown's abandonment yesterday afternoon, Wincanton have followed suit, so all that is left for us to enjoy this afternoon is one meeting over the sticks at Newcastle and an all-weather flat card from Lingfield. The way things are going, if they want to show any live action, Channel 4 could well end up down at Wadebridge in Cornwall for their point-to-point meeting tomorrow as Plumpton (currently waterlogged in places) inspect at 11.00am today! When will this rain ever stop? Only yesterday the coastguard had to move 500 idiots (sorry, I mean wave watchers) away from the promenade, can you believe it? Really, where do these people keep their brains?
- Friday, 03 January 2014 08:02
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
***Sandown's meeting for Saturday
abandoned due to waterlogging***
This afternoon there are three meetings taking place - a jumps card at Musselburgh and two all-weather flat meetings at Southwell and Wolverhampton. The stable has no runners today. Considering the amount of rain that has been falling it is amazing that there is any racing on at all. There are plenty of rivers that have burst their banks down here in the west country and I really do feel sorry for those poor people who keep getting flooded out of their homes. I am lucky to live on top of a hill, so If I ever get flooded Brixham will be under ten feet of water! Our biggest problem is the high spring tides but I would be surprised if there were this much water about then.
