- Tuesday, 28 February 2012 07:56
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There are jump meetings at Catterick and Leicester this afternoon, but the stable does not have any runners today. I could barely believe it when I saw the official going description for Leicester as good (good/firm in places) and I would imagine that is largely the reason why the meeting has only attracted a total thirty-six runners...many of the trainers must have been frightened off.
- Monday, 27 February 2012 08:35
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It's a shame that Cheltenham is not this week with the stable in such good form, we recorded another double courtesy of Laflammedeglorie and Dream Esteem, while all eight of our runners on Saturday made it into the first four. Laflammedeglorie received a good ride from Conor O'Farrell to score by four lengths at Chepstow. He was runner-up behind subsequent Listed winner Shutthefrontdoor on his debut returned to that sort of form here -he is a great big horse and looks one to look forward to, especially when sent over fences.
- Sunday, 26 February 2012 00:00
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
We have three runners this afternoon at Fontwell and they look to have a good competitive card with the feature being the National Spirit Hurdle, a race that David won twice in the past with the now retired hero Lough Derg. Lough Derg will be parading before the big one and I'm sure that racegoers will be delighted to see him...none more so I suspect than former partner Tom Scudamore - keep an eye out for any tears! Hopefully his eyes will have cleared in time to ride our three runners, African Broadway, Battle Group and Bamboleo. African Broadway runs in the Lough Derg novices' hurdle - a fitting tribute to this fine stayer.
- Saturday, 25 February 2012 08:18
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It looks like being an exciting weekend's action and the stable is well represented by eight runners this afternoon (five at Chepstow and three at Kempton) and another three at Fontwell tomorrow. Laflammedeglorie, Wings Of Icarus, Shallow Bay, Dream Esteem and Bladoun do battle for us at Chepstow, while Arrayan, Consigliere and Ashbrittle compete at Kempton. The Racing Plus Chase at Kempton looks to be a cracker (and so it should be for £100,000!) - it is a competitive day's racing, but we look to have several with decent chances so let's hope for a winner or two.
- Friday, 24 February 2012 07:56
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
The stable only had a couple of runners at Lingfield yesterday afternoon and I thought that Martial Law ran a cracker to finish fourth in what looked to be a decent novices' hurdle, just ahead of well backed favourite Joseph Lister. The first time cheekpieces seemed to bring about some improvement and he looks to be capable of picking up a race or two on this evidence. We have no runners today, although there are good cards over the sticks at Sandown and Warwick and it will be interesting to see how the champion trainer's horses get on.
- Thursday, 23 February 2012 10:00
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
The stable's fine run of form continued yesterday with an across-the-card double at Ludlow and Doncaster courtesy of Swing Bowler and Faasel, giving us seven winners in the last five days and a seasonal total of 75. Swing Bowler was given a very confident ride from Timmy Murphy and won with plenty more in hand than the official winning margin of 1/2 length would imply. She jumped well and extended her unbeaten record to three with this pleasing hurdling debut. She certainly has a good turn of foot which will stand her in good stead in better races. Over at Doncaster, Faasel rolled back the years when landing the veteran's chase under Tom Scudamore. Faasel has run some cracking races in defeat (including when runner-up at the last two Cheltenham Festival's), but this was his first success since November 2008 and provided him with a much deserved success. I expect the result would have made owner Jim Ennis smile!...Jim used to look after me and Martin when we would venture up north.
- Wednesday, 22 February 2012 10:00
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Has Tom Scudamore really moved up north?! His whistlestop tour of the north of the country see him taking three rides for the stable at Doncaster this afternoon. He will be aboard Presenting Ace, Faasel and Decoy, while over at Ludlow we run Swing Bowler and Beattie Green who will be partnered by Timmy Murphy. Faasel has been a wonderful servant down the years and has twice finished runner-up at the Cheltenham Festival since joining us as well as finishing second in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown - he participates in a veteran's chase this afternoon and they really are great opportunities for these old campaigners to win another nice prize.
