- Wednesday, 16 November 2011 08:02
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
I see that following his spectacular win in the Paddy Power Gold Cup the handicapper has raised Great Endeavour by 10lbs to a new career-high rating of 157. With a 4lbs penalty in The Hennessy, that leaves him theoretically 6lbs "well-in" at Newbury - let's just hope that we do not get too much rain between now and then and the going does not come up too testing as I think he is a better horse on goodish ground. Personally, I think that he will stay the trip - remember he finished a very close third over hurdles at Cheltenham over 3m1 1/2f on soft ground as a five year old...I guess that question will be answered if he takes his chance on Saturday week.
- Tuesday, 15 November 2011 08:15
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It was yet another good day for the yard yesterday with a double at Plumpton. I thought that Notus de la Tour jumped really well around Plumpton yesterday afternoon in the novices' chase on only his second outing over fences. He was well supported in the market and duly justified that confidence by bolting up and odds of 4/9. Plumpton is quite a tricky course with those downhill fences on the far side of the course taking plenty of jumping. I didn't see him make a semblance of a mistake en route to an emphatic twenty-four length success and I think that David will soon have to step this one up in class.
- Monday, 14 November 2011 08:20
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
What an incredible Open Meeting the yard enjoyed at Cheltenham over the weekend with Great Endeavour's impressive Paddy Power success supplementing the hat-trick enjoyed by the yard on Friday. Great Endeavour produced an amazing performance to dot up in the big race - he received a great ride from Timmy and even a mistake at the last did nothing to stop his momentum as he bounded up the hill. He certainly looks as though he will get further and David will now have to decide whether to aim him for the Hennessy at Newbury over 3m2f - he would receive a 4lbs penalty in the Newbury feature, which would make him attractively weighted - I am sure the handicapper would give him a good sight more if the weights had not already been announced!
- Sunday, 13 November 2011 00:00
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It is the final day of the Open Meeting at Cheltenham this aftenoon and we have just the one runner, African Broadway in the red-hot Grade 2 novices' hurdle. He has looked to be a highly progressive individual in his two starts since arriving at Pond House, winning a Newbury bumper and a Chepstow hurdle in good fashion and he is certainly deserving of another step-up in class. Tom Scudamore takes the ride.
- Saturday, 12 November 2011 09:38
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
What an incredible day for the yard yesterday with an amazing treble on the first day of Cheltenham's three day Open Meeting, starting with a winner for seventeen year old amateur Tom Bellamy aboard dashing grey Swing Bill and culminating with a fantastic success for stable star Grands Crus on his chasing debut.
- Friday, 11 November 2011 08:20
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
***Enfant de Lune non-runner
3.30pm Cheltenham***
It was another good day for the yard yesterday with Arab League scooting up in the novices' hurdle. With over £5,500 in prize money to the winner, it was certainly a prize worth having and he put in a good performance under his penalty to make every yard of the running. The favourite Outrageous Request did take a nasty fall at halfway which obviously made his task a little easier...hopefully the handicapper will take this into account when reassessing him.
- Thursday, 10 November 2011 08:29
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It is good to be back at Taunton this afternoon, albeit belatedly after their first meeting of the season was moved to Chepstow on account of the unseasonably firm ground. We have three runners this afternoon, Tigger and Arab League (who will be partnered by Tom Scudamore) and Bumblebee (Conor O'Farrell) and they look to have chances in open looking races. Yesterday's runners at Exeter, including the immensely popular Lough Derg have all returned safe and well - I never cease to be amazed by the popularity of "Douglas"...he is a real people's champion and that was proven again when the racecourse presented him with a large box of mints. I can't remember the last time that something like that happened to a horse just for turning up!
