- Tuesday, 27 March 2012 07:51
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
We have three runners this afternoon, Unex Degas who contests his first hurdle race at Taunton under Conor O'Farrell and Presenting Ace and Frosted Grape at Market Rasen who are both partnered by Tom Scudamore. Frosted Grape is back from a little break and looks reasonably treated back on her last winning chase mark of 120, while Presenting Ace is eased in grade following his run in the fiercely competitive EBF Final at Sandown the weekend before Cheltenham.
- Monday, 26 March 2012 07:26
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
According to the bookmakers, Richard Johnson may not finish runner-up to A P McCoy in this season's jump jockeys' championship. While McCoy has been an imovable force at the top of the table (currently set for an incredible seventeeth successive championship), Johnson has been the perennial bridesmaid, finishing runner-up on no less than fourteen occasions. That could all be different this time around however as Jason Maguire is challenging for the runner-up spot and has the powerful Donald McCain yard behind him. I must admit, I do feel a little bit sorry for Richard Johnson (not that for one minute he would want my pity) - can you imagine the acclaim he would have been receiving if McCoy had been around in a different era? Johnson has ridden more winners than any other jockey in British jump racing history!
- Sunday, 25 March 2012 00:00
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It's a quiet day for the stable with no runners this afternoon, although there is jumping action taking place at Wincanton and Hexham. They are two very different types of track - Hexham is very stiff, while Wincanton is a speed track. I still remember David getting beaten on a very short priced favourite at Hexham during his riding career - the horse was called Liadett and that's about all you need to know! He didn't half get some stick from the crowd afterwards - fortunately he has proven to be a far better trainer than jockey (although he was still a lot more successful as a jockey than his father ever was!).
- Saturday, 24 March 2012 08:17
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It was another great day for the yard yesterday with a treble at Newbury courtesy of Goulanes, Dream Esteem and Midnight Tuesday. The first two completed a double for jockey Tom Scudamore, while young Tom Bellamy completed the hat-trick for the yard aboard Midnight Tuesday in the (eventful) hands and heels race. We return to the Berkshire venue with two further runners this afternoon, Faasel and War Singer. Tom Scu is reunited with the enigmatic but talented Faasel, who is still capable of a decent level of form at the age of eleven as he demonstrated when winning at Doncaster on his penultimate start. Let's hope the stable's fine run of form continues.
- Friday, 23 March 2012 08:27
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Today the stable has four runners at Newbury. Arrayan, Dream Esteem (pictured winning at Chepstow last time) and Midnight Tuesday are joined by stable debutant Goulanes. Goulanes was a winner of an Irish point-to-point and could be interesting, while young Tom Bellamy comes in for the ride aboard Midnight Tuesday in the hands and heels novices' handicap hurdle for conditional and amateur jockeys.
- Thursday, 22 March 2012 07:51
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There are a few good jump meetings on today with Carlisle, Chepstow and Fontwell taking place. The ground is certainly quickening up with the recent dry spell that we have been enjoying. There is still a little bit of cut in the ground although we do need a bit of rain, especially with the Grand National just around the corner.
- Wednesday, 21 March 2012 08:31
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
The stable enjoyed another winner yesterday when our only runner, Katchmore was successful at Exeter. He defied a 7lbs penalty and the welter burden of 12-5, although his young jockey Tom Bellamy was able to claim 10lbs off his back as he works in the yard. That is quite a chunk of weight to be able to take off and is a good incentive for trainers to use these young jockeys, especially when they are good value for it, such as Tom who is clearly very promising. Katchmore was maintaining his unbeaten run since joining the yard, although things will get harder as the handicapper hit him hard for the first of his successes. When you take Tom Bellamy's claim into account, he was actually 3lbs lower than when scoring at Taunton so hopefully the handicapper will not see fit to put him up anymore.
