- 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.
- Thursday, 06 January 2011 08:06
- Written by Chester Barnes
There were divided opinions as to whether the stewards got the right result at Lingfield yesterday. The 3.25pm race was a three way photo and the stewards called Lastkingofscotland the winner in the stewards room. I felt Hayley Turner went for a bold run up the rails and ran out of room. She finished second but got the result in the stewards room. Cuthbert and Cat Hunter did run off a straight line but I think Hayley was pushing her luck going for that run up the rails. If you backed the favourite, Lastkingofscotland I think you were lucky to collect but that is what racing is all about, opinions.
We had a sprinkling of snow again at Pond House earlier in the week and I was on the gallops taking a few snap shots of the horses.
- Wednesday, 05 January 2011 07:59
- Written by Chester Barnes
I see there are a few birthdays highlighted in the Racing Post today. Vinnie Jones is 46 and he has had horses with John Gosden. I can imagine if you trained a horse for Vinnie and you told him that you though his horse will win one day, you might get a reply of, "John it will win!". You would not want to argue with Vinnie! It is also Channel 4 's Alice Plunkett's 38th birthday. A few years ago Peter Scudamore had a clothes catalogue out. Believe it or not I was one of the models for the catalogue and so was Alice. I saw her in her underwear in the Pond House kitchen! I must say she did look better than Scu with her clothes off!
- Tuesday, 04 January 2011 07:59
- Written by Chester Barnes
I think the ground description on the chase course at Leicester seems to cover all angles. It is described as good, good to firm in places and soft on the flat crossings so if you have a bet on any of the chase races today you should get some ground that your horse likes! Different types of ground is probably the worst that a horse can run on I think. You imgaine jumping from firm ground onto soft or the other way round. I tried it the other day and it does jar you up a bit! In all seriousness Leicester has to pass an 8.30am inspection for racing to go ahead today so lets keep our fingers crossed it does.
- Monday, 03 January 2011 08:48
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
What a great start to 2011 for the stable with the horses running well on Saturday. Ashkazar led home a 1, 2, 3 for David in the 3 mile handicap hurdle at Cheltenham, carrying top weight of 11st12lb. He stayed on very nicely up the hill on his first try at 3 miles under Timmy Murphy to finish just in front of Junior and Chartreux who both ran fine races. Ashkazar has always been a top class horse and at 20/1 I wish I had a few pennies on him, I actually backed the other two each way so did not do any damage! I'msingingtheblues was a good fourth in the Victor Chandler handicap chase over 2m5f. He had every chance jumping the last fence but did not finish quite as fast as the others up the hill, nevertheless it was a super run.
