- Sunday, 25 September 2011 00:00
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There is no jump race action today and it is a bit quiet for the start of the week but then things really start to get going later in the week. David has entries at Bangor on Thursday and then there is Fontwell and Hexham on Friday and Fontwell again on Saturday. There are three meetings next Sunday at Huntingdon, Kelso and Uttoxeter and then things start to get pretty busy from then on. David also has an entry on the flat at Kempton on Thursday with Frosted Grape in a 2 mile handicap. Effervesce who was eneterd for Bath tomorrow does not run.
- Saturday, 24 September 2011 07:10
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Vertige Dore appeared to be unlucky once again at Worcester yesterday in the Beginners chase. Since going over the larger obstacles he went past the post first and was disqualified, he fell last time out when travelling well at Hereford and then yesterday he was given a good ride by Timmy Murphy and had every chance jumping the last where he made a mistake and then he was badly hampered on the run-in which cost him any chance on winning. He finished fourth in the end but suely his turn for winning is near. Today jumping action moves to Market Rasen and there is some great prize money on offer. David has a runner, Qulinton in the Listed handicap chase with £28,475 up for grabs with a supporting Listed hurdle worth £17,085. There is also a juvenile hurdle worth over £10,000 but having said that the Bumper is only worth £1299.70 to the winner. Surely they could have found another couple of grand for that race? Just think if you finish fourth in that Bumper you win just £95 which will not even pay the jockeys riding fees!
- Friday, 23 September 2011 07:08
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
David has one runner at Worcester today, Vertige Dore in the 3.20pm Beginners Chase. Several of you will remember that Vertige Dore did win a chase at the track not long ago but was disqualified and the placings reversed after causing interference to the runner up. Effectively he is a winner without a penalty and he was travelling well behind a useful sort at Hereford last time out when he fell. He has done some jumping practice since and we are hoping he does not show his previous quirks and runs well with Timmy Murphy in the saddle once again.
- Thursday, 22 September 2011 06:56
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
We have a couple more pictures from the gallops to share with you this morning - this time of an old favourite and a somewhat less familiar name. Former Hennessy Gold Cup and Totesport Bowl winner Madison du Berlais is making good progress at home, while Bathwick Brave who showed considerable promise in a couple of bumpers last season was also seen going nicely in a solo gallop.
- Wednesday, 21 September 2011 07:21
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It was another sad day for racing yesterday as another legendary trainer, Michael Jarvis passed away at the age of 73. Michael was a truly great trainer and I spent many happy times chatting with him at the Newmarket sales. Whenever we were looking to buy horses from the flat to go jumping we would always ask Michael about his horses and he would always offer his own truthful opinion. He had many great horses down the years, but the ones that stood out for me were Arc winner Carroll House and the brilliant but quirky Rakti - he did an amazing job to get this one to win four Group One races. I don't know of anyone with a bad word to say about Michael Jarvis and he will be sadly missed.
- Tuesday, 20 September 2011 07:05
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It was very sad news yesterday to hear that Ginger McCain had passed away at the age of 80 after a short illness. In the early days when I used to do the Pontins holiday camps I used to play table tennis at Southport and Ginger trained not far from the holiday camp. I remember seeing Red Rum and Billy Ellison galloping along Southport beach and I love that great photo of Billy with his feet right up near Red Rums head. Whenever I saw Ginger at Aintree he always had a lot of people around him and it was always a buzzing atmosphere. He was a larger than life character and his characiture looked more like him than he did himself! When you talk about great characters, Ginger was certainly one of them and there are less and less of people like him around today.
- Monday, 19 September 2011 07:28
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
The stable enjoyed a couple of winners at Uttoxeter yesterday afternoon and I thought that young Conor produced an absolute gem of a ride to land the seller aboard American Art. He didn't look that keen at times and Conor was after him from a very early stage but still managed to coax him to a short head victory. Teshali completed a quickfire double at the track when getting up under a strong ride from Timmy Murphy to score by 1/2 length - Conor was aboard Briefcase and he gave this one a good ride too...I'm not sure he would have been quite so popular in the yard this morning if he had won!
