- Thursday, 13 January 2011 08:13
- Written by Chester Barnes
While I was watching the racing on television yesterday I saw a jockey give a well-supported 5/4 favourite a terrible ride, but instead of making all sorts of excuses why do they not just put their hands up and say they didn't give that one a very good ride? Obviously I was not alone in thinking this as a number of viewers phoned up complaining about the ride, the thing is that if the jockey's just owned up, the public would be an awful lot more likely to be forgiving of their mistakes. I remember a champion jockey once saying to me "I was not at my best on that one" - I had done my money, so I had to agree with him!
- Wednesday, 12 January 2011 08:03
- Written by Chester Barnes
We are pleased to announce that Danny Cook is due to ride Madison du Berlais in the rescheduled King George VI Chase at Kempton this Saturday. It will be Danny's first ride in the race, although he is no stranger to the big occasion having ridden a Cheltenham Festival winner for us last season aboard Great Endeavour in the Byrne Group Plate Handicap Chase. Although yet to partner Madison in a race, Danny is familiar with the horse having ridden him plenty of times in his work at home and schooled him. We are very proud of our strong team of in-house jockeys, and it is great that Madison's owners have given Danny the opportunity in this prestigious race - I am sure last year's runner-up will provide him with a great thrill. Cook has been seen to good effect recently with wins aboard the stable's Spanish Cruise and Sona Sasta in the last ten days.
- Tuesday, 11 January 2011 08:02
- Written by Chester Barnes
Sona Sasta continued the good form of the stable when absolutely bolting-up at Taunton yesterday under a good front-running ride from Danny Cook. On pretty testing going our eight year old won by eighteen lengths and he looks like progressing into another decent horse for owner Roger Brookhouse. Talking of Roger, I will probably do a tenner to his mate in our Cheltenham Festival marquee - he seems to have me over every year...mind you, I really should have twigged on that he was a racing man by the thousands of badges on his binoculars!
- Monday, 10 January 2011 08:22
- Written by Chester Barnes
Who said that drifters don't ever win? Well Our Father drifted from 5/1 to 9/1, yet still managed to produce a taking debut performance to land Chepstow's maiden hurdle by four lengths. He took a good hold but still came through to win quite comfortably in the end - he looks to be an exciting prospect and can only improve for his first ever experience on a racecourse. He looks sure to make up into a nice chaser in time, but should be more than capable of picking up a few hurdles before that.
- Sunday, 09 January 2011 00:00
- Written by Chester Barnes
I see that trainer Richard Phillips was fined £600 by the BHA beacuse he had declared his horse Eastwell Smiles to run at Bangor and also Fontwell yesterday. I think this was absolutely riduclous that he got this fine as we all knew and trainers especially, that Bangor was likely to be called off and Fontwell was in doubt because of the weather. Eastwell Smiles won at Fontwell. Richard Phillips share of the winnings was £156 so he was £444 out of pocket after the horse won. A silly rule that maybe needs to be changed. Eastwell Smiles now goes to the sales on Tuesday.
- Saturday, 08 January 2011 09:31
- Written by Chester Barnes
The stable continues in good form with another winner yesterday at Fontwell. Roi De Rose handled the very soft ground very well as it looked pretty desperate but he put up a great performance and looked to win with a bit in hand. Our seven year old won three times in Switzerland on good ground but he really looked to relish conditions. He jumped well and took it up at the second last under Tom Scu and came away to win comfortably. It was fantastic for his Swiss owner and massive fan club he has over there. As I mentioned yesterday he even has his own facebook page!
In the rest of yesterday's action on the all-weather at Lingfield I thought Ryan Clark gave Lord Theo a cracking ride to come out on top in a photo finish. He would certainly be an apprentice I would use, especially in apprentice races.
- Friday, 07 January 2011 07:53
- Written by Chester Barnes
Just a note for all - Fontwell are holding a 11am inspection on the chase track this morning to see if races can take place this afternoon. The hurdle course is absolutely fine and those races and the Bumper will take place as scheduled so just keep an eye out later this morning for more news from the course. David has one runner at Fontwell, Roi De Rose in the 3.30pm handicap chase. The lorry will have to leave to the races and we shall await to hear news, fingers crossed that the chases will go ahead. Roi De Rose won his last three chases in Switzerland and ran well enough on his British debut at Folkestone so it would be great to see him in action today and would be great for his fans as he even has his own facebook page! Bangor passed its early morning inspection but due to snow falling since they are now taking another look at 10am.
