- Tuesday, 04 October 2011 07:08
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Sadly it looks as though our Indian summer has come to an end as we had had a bit of rain when I stepped outside this morning. Fortunately I have accumulated a number of photographs from the gallops over the last few days to share with you. First up we have Ladyvie who has finished in the frame on her two starts in chases since arriving in this country. She holds an entry at Exeter on Thursday in a 2m5 1/2f novices' handicap hurdle. We also have a picture of Southerness and Soulard who are also entered at the Devon track in the 2m3f handicap hurdle.
- Monday, 03 October 2011 07:45
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It was a good weekend for the yard with a double at Fontwell on Saturday with Arab League and Vertige Dore. I thought that Timmy Murphy produced an incredible ride when winning aboard Vertige Dore in the beginners chase. The horse had been a little unlucky in previous starts and this was just reward for his efforts - sadly Timmy didn't get his just reward and was handed down an eight day ban by the stewards. I firmly believe that if Timmy hadn't used his stick then the horse would not have won - as I have already mentioned, there are sure to be some different results when the new regulations come in.
- Sunday, 02 October 2011 07:30
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
The stable has a runner in the 4.50pm at Huntingdon this afternoon, last time out Uttoxeter scorer Teshali in the handicap hurdle. He looks to have a solid chance under young Hadden Frost who deputises for Timmy Murphy while he is riding up north, so fingers crossed for a good result. It is a cracking day's racing today with the notable highlight being the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp. The French capital seems to come alive on Arc day and it is a great experience - I have only been once but I would gladly go again - I think it is the only time that I have ever seen a French racetrack that is full! If you were to visit a French track in the week, the meetings are not very well supported, but Arc day is different of course - just think, the race is worth €3.4 million!
- Saturday, 01 October 2011 07:31
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
I thought that Bathwick Man put up another good effort yesterday when finishing third under a big weight in the competitive handicap hurdle. Even so, he does look weighted up to the hilt from a mark of 120 - let's hope the handicapper gives him a chance to win another race by dropping him a few pounds. Today we have three runners at Fontwell - Arab League, Tasheba and Vertige Dore and we look to have some solid chances. Tom Scu takes the ride aboard Arab League who came within a nose of scoring on his hurdling debut last time, Conor O'Farrell takes the mount on Tasheba and Timmy Murphy rides the luckless Vertige Dore.
- Friday, 30 September 2011 07:19
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
We have one runner this afternoon at Fontwell, Bathwick Man in the competitive 2m21/2f handicap hurdle. He performed creditably in the valuable Summer handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot last time, but even so, it seems a little harsh that he was left on the same mark of 120. Consequently he carries top-weight of 11-10 and will be partnered by Tom Scudamore.
- Thursday, 29 September 2011 07:07
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
You may recall that some of the jockeys participated in a photoshoot for Thomas Pink a few weeks ago and I thought that one or two of the boys looked as though they had been dragged through a hedge (or maybe even an open ditch) backwards, well we have just received a picture of stable jockey Tom Scudamore at the same shoot. All I can say is that it's good news that Tom is good at his day job as I don't think the catwalks of Milan are beckoning!...only joking Tom!
- Wednesday, 28 September 2011 06:54
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
I think that I might apply for the job of counting the number of times a jockey strikes his horse with the whip. It's seven times on the flat and eight times over jumps - imagine riding in a staying chase and you have used all of your strikes - I am certain that there would have been plenty of different results over the years. Just think - Ballabriggs probably wouldn't have won the Grand National if Jason Maguire had not hit him 17 times on the run-in. He picked up a five day ban for the ride, but under the new rules Maguire would have picked up a 27 day suspension and forfeited over £35,000 in prize money! Rewilding wouldn't have won the Prince of Wales at Royal Ascot and instead of 9 days, Frankie would have had a 37 day holiday! All I know is there are going to be plenty of strange and contentious results!
