- Thursday, 22 December 2011 08:16
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It was a good day for the stable yesterday with a brace of winners at Ffos Las. All eyes were certainly on Gevrey Chambertin in the closing bumper and our full brother to Grands Crus did not disappoint, winning by 30 lengths. With his illustrious relations, he has plenty to live up to although you couldn't fail to be impressed by the manner of victory on his racecourse debut. I doubt whether the beaten horses are a great bunch and heavy ground can often exagerate winning margins, but he is clearly a very smart prospect and the bookies obviously agree - Victor Chandler have installed him as their second favourite for the Festival Bumper at 14/1.
- Wednesday, 21 December 2011 08:30
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
All eyes focus on Ffos Las this afternoon for our final runners this side of Christmas. We have six runners at the Welsh track this afternoon and I notice that three of them are forecast to go off favourite according to the Racing Post. Kazlian showed a good level of form on the flat in France and was runner-up on his hurdling debut at Market Rasen, while Ashbrittle makes his hurdling debut this afternoon. He was a decent stayer on the flat and looks the type to make up into a nice hurdler. The one that really catches the eye however is Gevrey Chambertin - the full brother to the stable's top class hurdler/chaser Grands Crus who makes his racecourse debut in the closing bumper. He was purchased from the French Sales back in the summer and it will certainly be interesting to see how he fares.
- Tuesday, 20 December 2011 07:58
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
We have three runners this afternoon at Taunton. On Khee (Tom Scudamore) and The Tatkin (Mr Keiron Edgar) participate in the mares' novices' hurdle at 12.30pm, while Gaspara takes part in the closing handicap hurdle at 3.05pm and will be ridden by young Frank Hayes.
The ground at Bangor went from good/soft to soft yesterday afternoon and the runners finished very tired and some of them were clearly finding it difficult to jump out of the ground. The stable's two runners found it very testing - I would imagine more so in the case of Martial Law, who was last seen racing in Australia! This was his hurdling debut and his jumping improved as the race went on and he can only improve for the experience.
- Monday, 19 December 2011 08:09
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Water Garden was a good winner at Ascot on Saturday in a thrillilng finish under a great ride from Timmy Murphy. Our five year old went up a stone for winning at Wincanton but is clearly progressing and to win at one of the country's premier tracks is an excellent achievement. The Long Walk Hurdle produced an exciting finish with Dynaste trying to run the sting out of Big Buck's. At one point he looked to have the champion stayer in a degree of trouble, but Big Buck's soon came back on the bridal to score by eight lengths - what an amazing horse he is. Dynaste weakened into fourth but the way he jumped and travelled for much of the race, he certainly looks to warrant his place at the top table and he looks as though he wouldn't be inconvenienced by dropping back in trip.
- Saturday, 17 December 2011 08:55
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
I see David Ashforth's grab a grand which was for charity lost £994.92, mind you Victor Chandler have generously given £2000 to Jack Berry House and £2000 to the prostate cancer charity so well done to them. Donald McCain told David Ashforth his winner at Uttoxeter yesterday, Real Milan would need a run to put hime straight. The six year old won at 12/1. Trainers are not always the best judges! Meanwhile I was out with camera and am pleased to report that Our Father is fine and has come out of his Ascot race on Friday well. This gorgeous big grey is pictured relaxing in his stable at Pond House.
- Saturday, 17 December 2011 08:10
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Our Father was an impressive winner at Ascot yesterday. At one time I thought Shoreacres had slipped the field but Timmy Murphy did not panic and he won quite nicely in the end. I did say that I thought Piraya would run a big race and he ran very well to finish fourth at 20/1. Meanwhile at the other jumps meeting of the day the ground looked bottomless at Uttoxeter. In fact, it started snowing quite hard during the afternoon. Wings of Icarus ran okay in ground that was probably a bit too testing for him. In another race at the track I was very impressed with young jockey Edward Glassonbury. He was riding Rugged Jack for Victor Dartnall and his saddle slipped completely inside the final furlong and he did very well to stay on board, let alone win! He will be my ride of the week.
- Friday, 16 December 2011 08:43
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
I thought that Tom Scu gave Close House a good strong ride at Towcester yesterday afternoon. It was very testing ground and there were three in with a shout as they came to the last but our four year old stayed on well up the hill (which has been described as "more like the north face of the Eiger") to score readily by four lengths. He looks to be an out and out stayer and could follow-up under a penalty.
We are represented by two runners at Ascot, Our Father (T Murphy) and Piraya (C O'Farrell) while Wings Of Icarus (A P McCoy) is our only runner at Uttoxeter this afternoon. The ground at Uttoxeter will certainly be testing having survived a 7.30am inspection.
