- Saturday, 13 August 2011 07:08
- Written by Chester Banres
It is good to have Tom Scu back riding today, a couple of days earlier than originally anticipated. He has a couple of rides for David at Market Rasen this evening. Taratata Sivola is making his Pond House debut in the 6.50pm novice's chase. Our four year old gets a handy weight allowance in this race and after finishing runner up in a chase at Auteuil last time out we are hoping that he gives Tom a great first ride back. He also rides My Brother Sylvest in the 8.20pm handicap hurdle for David. Tom has rides for brother Michael at Southwell tomorrow so he looks to have some good chances of grabbing a winner on his first weekend back. I personally hope he does and restores some confidence because even though he has been riding out for a couple of weeks at home and he is extremely fir there is nothing like a bit of race riding to get you backon the top of your game. I bet his wife Lottie will just be glad to get him out of the house as I am sure he has been getting on her nerves the last few months! Good luck Tom!
- Friday, 12 August 2011 07:08
- Written by Chester Barnes
Yesterday Bathwick Man was a little disappointing on the flat at Salisbury. He travelled well but when they quickened he could not quicken with them but of course remember he was a good winner over hurdles at Newton Abbot last week so I am sure he will bounce back to form when we put some obastacles back in front of him again! In some of yesterday's other action, owner/trainer Mike Sowersby won the selling handicap at Beverley. He is quoted as saying in the paper "I bought her at Doncaster last week and haven't even paid for her yet!".
- Thursday, 11 August 2011 06:57
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Bathwick Man is having an outing on the flat this afternoon at Salisbury. He was a good winner over hurdle at Newton Abbot last week under Conor O'Farrell and is only rated 49 on the level. The handicapper raised him 10 pounds for that win so David thought he would see what he could do in this 1m6f flat handicap. Richard Mullen is on board so we are keeping our fingers crossed that he runs well.
It appears that not only do the horses not like the change of going, (there were 63 non runners yesterday), It also seems the rioters do not like it either!. It rained last night and it turned out to be a lot quieter on the streets thankfully. So there is your answer turn the water cannons on them, or pray that it keeps raining!
- Wednesday, 10 August 2011 07:04
- Written by Chester Barnes
David's horses all ran well at Newton Abbot yesterday with Surfboard putting up a fine display to win the 4.45pm handicap hurdle. He got a good confident ride from Conor O'Farrell and took the lead as they turned for home before staying on well up the straight. It is great for the horse and for his owners Ashton racing Club as he has been plagued with injuries over the last few years but everyone has been very patient so it is great to be rewarded. The horse loves his racing and even had his ears pricked coming towards the last flight! He is rated 18 pounds highers over fences so it looks like he will have to follow up with a penalty over hurdles. It sounds so easy when you say it like that! Surfboard is pictured in the winners enclosure below.
- Tuesday, 09 August 2011 10:09
- Written by Chester Barnes
Jumps racing takes place at Newton Abbot this afternoon. The total winning prize money for the whole card is about £25,000 and it has attracted 76 runners in the 7 races. The feature race named in memory of former friend and owner Bryan Westcott carries winnings of just under £10,000 but also means the other 6 races have to share £15,000 between them. I think this is simply not good enough and something has got to be done before we lose all racehorse owners. David has three runners on the card with Bathwick Quest returning from a little break to run in the above mentioned handicap chase and Surfboard and Tigger run in the 4.45pm race. Surfboard has been plagued with injuries in recent seasons but ran a good race to finish third at Bangor last time out and Tigger has to improve on recent form to win but should be a good ride for our 10 pound claiming jockey Francis Hayes.
- Monday, 08 August 2011 07:50
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
We had a good day at the yard yesterday as David had a Garden Party with some owners and friends in attendance. I watched quite a lot of the West Ham match with another East End boy David Johnson. It was not the best result however with the Hammers getting beaten 1-0 by Cardiff! The horses were all looking big and well and David is looking forward to getting them fit and ready to run. Grands Crus is the most laid back horse you have ever seen. Even with lots of people around the yard he was still asleep in his stable and as I was showing him to one of our guests he even decided to have a little lie down! I am sure he even closed his eyes! Mind you Conor O'Farrell was telling me this is how he always is but he's completely different when you get him on the gallops! He comes alive and is pretty keen. I'm just glad my riding days are over!
- Sunday, 07 August 2011 00:00
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It looks like being a perfect day for me - I will be at the yard this morning catching up with a few old friends, equine and human, while this afternoon I will be watching the Hammers take on Cardiff on the television. After that I might just go to the golf course and hit a few balls - does it get any better than that?! I see that Hills go 5/6 about the Hammers and with new manager Big Sam having brought in a few players I reckon they could be a difficult team to beat this season. With Avram Grant they had the most layed back manager around and that didn't work - they will certainly notice the difference under Sam Allardyce. Come on the Hammers!
