- Thursday, 15 August 2013 07:16
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Today there are five meetings taking place, four on the level at Salisbury, Newmarket, Beverley and Chepstow as well as a jumps fixture at Fontwell. The stable has one runner, Bathwick Man at Fontwell and he is top weight for the 2m2 1/2f handicap hurdle. He looks quite well treated when you consider that he runs from a mark of 110, while he has won from 115 in the past - Tom Scudamore takes the ride. Street Entertainer was due to take in the two mile flat handicap at Beverley but is now a non-runner.
- Wednesday, 14 August 2013 06:56
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Our two runners performed creditably at Stratford last night to both fill the runner-up spot. I thought that Royal Peak was going to win after Listen And Learn made a mistake at the final flight of hurdles - the trouble is, when you are fighting out a driving finish you do not need A P McCoy on the other runner! McCoy managed to galvanise his mount to victory by a neck, although it was another improved performance from our runner who came eight lengths clear of the third. I don't like to admit it, but the handicapper looks like he was right about the 15lbs rise in the weights! I still reckon that Royal Peak looks to be well worth the £10,000 asking price, or a 25% share for £2,500 could be an ideal way of getting involved in first time racehorse ownership - he jumps well and looks to be a chaser in the making.
- Tuesday, 13 August 2013 06:54
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
I am thrilled that we are back with some National Hunt racing this afternoon for the first time in over a week - there are two jumps fixtures at Worcester and Stratford and the stable is represented by two runners (Basil Fawlty and Royal Peak) at Stratford. Royal Peak (pictured above) was an impressive winner here twelve days ago and the handicapper has reacted by putting the gelding up by a whopping 15lbs which seems a little harsh to me. Theoretically it is the handicapper's job to try to get the runners to all finish in a line although that sort of rise looks like overkill to me. The two meetings on the flat take place at Carlisle and Nottingham.
- Monday, 12 August 2013 07:11
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
There are four flat cards to keep us entertained this afternoon at Ayr, Thirsk, Wolverhampton and Windsor, while there is also a mixed card in Ireland at Ballinrobe which also (unsurprisingly) has by far the most prize money on offer. The stable has two runners on the level at Windsor this evening - Purple 'N Gold and Togiak both run in the 1m2f handicap at 7.40pm. Purple 'N Gold (pictured above) has been in good form since being claimed having won on the level and also over hurdles at Uttoxeter - he certainly looks like a shrewd purchase. James Doyle takes the ride this evening while Cathy Gannon is aboard Togiak.
- Sunday, 11 August 2013 00:00
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Day seven of our jump racing sabatical and with National Hunt fixtures at Stratford and Worcester planned for Tuesday, the wait is nearly over. Just as well as I am having serious withdrawal symptons! Anyway, today there are just two flat meetings at Leicester and Windsor - when it comes to Windsor, the first thing that I do is have a look through the card to see what Richard Hughes and Richard Hannon have running. They are normally the pair to follow at that track (as they are at plenty of other tracks as well!). If you get a nice, sunny day Windsor by the Thames is one of the nicest places you could be.
- Saturday, 10 August 2013 07:23
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
It's a busy day of action on the flat with meetings taking place at Haydock, Ascot, Newmarket, Redcar, Ayr and Lingfield. Ascot hosts their Shergar Cup fixture and while I'm not sure it means an awful lot to your average betting shop punter, if it raises the profile of horse racing in this country it has to be a good thing. I'm still not sure they have got it right when it comes to the colours - all very similar designs and in only a handful of team colours. I would imagine that it would be very confusing for the first time viewer - God knows, it is hard enough to follow for me!
- Friday, 09 August 2013 07:09
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Day five of the jumps racing sabatical so there is light at the end of the tunnel! For our amusement today we have five flat meetings from Musselburgh, Brighton, Lingfield, Newmarket and Haydock. I'm not quite sure why there are afternoon meetings at Lingfield and Brighton - they are not far apart and will certainly be taking custom from one another...another victory for race planning. Furthermore, the prize money over here is disappointing once again - Lingfield offer £25,000 across seven races, while Tipperary has £128,000 up for grabs - racecourses beware, it's not that long a way to Tipperary!
