- 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!
- Tuesday, 27 September 2011 06:59
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It will be interesting to see the new whip guidelines from the BHA that will be published later this morning. Some of the content has already been talked about on the television and radio including the tougher sanctions handed out to jockeys found to be guilty of whip offences. While use of the whip has not been banned, apparently the number of times that jockeys can hit their mounts has been reduced. Jockeys who receive bans of more than three days will lose their percentage of prize money, while repeat offenders could have their licences reviewed. Will it make a blind bit of difference if a couple of jockeys are involved in a tight finish to one of the major races? I guess only time will tell...
- Monday, 26 September 2011 06:59
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Well, I thought that Richard Hughes would have a good day at Epsom yesterday afternoon and so it proved as he promptly won the first three races for guv'nor Richard Hughes before adding the finale for Hughie Morrison to make it a fantastic four-timer on the day. Another to have a good day yesterday was champion Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien who completed a hat-trick at the Curragh. His two year old Nephrite looked impressive when winning the first on heavy ground over six furlongs - the winning margin was four lengths but she could easily have won by much further and looks more than capable of stepping up in trip. Young Joseph O'Brien put up 1lb overweight at 9-1 - I wonder how much longer it will be before a jumping career beckons?
- Sunday, 25 September 2011 00:00
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There is no jump race action today and it is a bit quiet for the start of the week but then things really start to get going later in the week. David has entries at Bangor on Thursday and then there is Fontwell and Hexham on Friday and Fontwell again on Saturday. There are three meetings next Sunday at Huntingdon, Kelso and Uttoxeter and then things start to get pretty busy from then on. David also has an entry on the flat at Kempton on Thursday with Frosted Grape in a 2 mile handicap. Effervesce who was eneterd for Bath tomorrow does not run.
- Saturday, 24 September 2011 07:10
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Vertige Dore appeared to be unlucky once again at Worcester yesterday in the Beginners chase. Since going over the larger obstacles he went past the post first and was disqualified, he fell last time out when travelling well at Hereford and then yesterday he was given a good ride by Timmy Murphy and had every chance jumping the last where he made a mistake and then he was badly hampered on the run-in which cost him any chance on winning. He finished fourth in the end but suely his turn for winning is near. Today jumping action moves to Market Rasen and there is some great prize money on offer. David has a runner, Qulinton in the Listed handicap chase with £28,475 up for grabs with a supporting Listed hurdle worth £17,085. There is also a juvenile hurdle worth over £10,000 but having said that the Bumper is only worth £1299.70 to the winner. Surely they could have found another couple of grand for that race? Just think if you finish fourth in that Bumper you win just £95 which will not even pay the jockeys riding fees!
