- Friday, 04 May 2012 06:51
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Our good start to the new season continued yesterday as our only runner at Hereford, Shoegazer won on his chase debut. His jumping improved as the race went on, winning with a fair bit in hand under Tom Scudamore and he looks to be the type to follow-up before too long. Tom only had two rides at the meeting but went on to ride a double when landing The Chazer in the last race... a first and last race double - I wonder what he did in between races?!
- Thursday, 03 May 2012 07:22
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There is plenty of racing action on this afternoon with flat cards at Musselburgh, Lingfield and Brighton and a jumps card at Hereford. The stable has a runner at Hereford as 137-rated hurdler Shoegazer contests his first start over the larger obstacles in the novices' chase. He has schooled well at home and let's hope that he provides a nice winner for our stable sponsors Wayne and Sarah Clifford of Bathwick Tyres.
- Wednesday, 02 May 2012 07:06
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
- Tuesday, 01 May 2012 07:29
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
I was pleasantly surprised to see Exeter give this afternoon's card the go-ahead following twenty millimetres of rain overnight. They passed an 8am inspection this morning, although I would imagine that the going will be bottomless and some of the hurdles are going to be bypassed. Qalinas and Diamond's Return (pictured above) run for the yard, with the latter bidding to complete a quick hat-trick under Conor O'Farrell.
- Monday, 30 April 2012 07:11
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
The stable's runners continued to perform well right until the end of the season, with both Arab League and Dan Breen running creditably at Sandown on Saturday without quite managing to get their heads in front. Arab League finished a close second to Gibb River under young Frank Hayes, while Dan Breen finished third in the Grade 2 chase behind a couple of 160-rated rivals - let's hope that the official handicapper does not take the form too literally! Both horses are owned by Stuart Mercer (the one with the flambouyant ties!) who is a great character and has had horses with us for years.
- Sunday, 29 April 2012 08:39
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Lucy's Perfect
David's First Winner of the 2011/12 Season
Well the season finished yesterday with some great action at Sandown and today we start the new season at Ludlow. David had a great year and we shall reflect on some of that over the coming days. Trop Fort kicks off the new season with Tom Scu on board so lets hope it is a winning start!
I just have to say something about Edward Gillespie leaving Cheltenham after 32 years at the course. He is one of the few old school tie people I really get on with. Edward has always been very helpful and if we ever had a problem Edward was always the first to help with anything and I mean anything! I remember we were in America once and there was a big queue at the book in counter and the girl kept answering the phone so the queue was not ever getting any shorter! Edward was in the queue with us and he made a phone call to the girl behind the counter and booked us in over the phone! I also got pulled over while driving in America and they dragged me out of the car. He told me not to mess around and being me I said why not? He said they have got a gun out, he was not joking! Edward has done a great job at Cheltenham and he will be sadly missed.
- Saturday, 28 April 2012 07:04
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Diamonds Return Winning at Plumpton
David has runners today at Sandown the last day of the jumps season. Don't worry though follks we start the new one tomorrow! It is a mixed jump and flat card this afternoon and I always remember Lord Oaksey saying it was one of the best days racing of the year. The day finishes with a jump versus flat jockeys flat race and this is always and interesting contest! Star of Angels, Arab League and The Pier all run in a competitve handicap hurdle and it will be a great experience for young Francis Hayes on board Arab League. He has won on this horse twice already this season and he takes a handy ten pounds off of his back and I think he could run better than his big price suggests. Dan Breen has a hard task in the Grade 2 Competitive chase but he has run well at this course before and stranger thinsg have happened! Wishful Thinking is probably the one they all have to beat in this race. Swing Bill runs in the big race of the day the Bet365 chase. He ran a great race last time out in the Grand National and gave his jockey that day, Conor O'Farrell, the biggest thrill of his life when having is first ride in the big race. He has a tough task this afternoon but rarely runs a bad race and Timmy Murohy is back in the saddle.
