- Tuesday, 26 October 2010 08:12
- Written by Chester Barnes
The trainers of yesterday's handicap good thing Jovial had better turn him out again soon. The three year old won by three lengths and couldn't have been more impressive. He currently has a very modest handicap mark of just 51, but he will be taking some hike up the weights after this success. His 3lbs apprentice jockey rode him very well, and I will be looking out for him again in the very near future.
- Monday, 25 October 2010 07:31
- Written by Chester Barnes
Today sees the start of the Tattersalls Newmarket Horses In Training Sales. You get most of the National Hunt trainers up there looking to buy new horses for the winter campaign, and countless numbers of them will be trudging around with their catalogues and form books under their arms. There are normally some highly rated flat performers that go under the hammer, and I'm sure that a number of them will be hurdling this coming season.
Without a doubt, some of the best turned out horses at the sales will belong to Sir Mark Prescott - they always have the same colour rugs, and the jockeys riding them will all be wearing the same colour caps. If you are interested in purchasing a potential hurdler or chaser feel free to give us a call in the office on 01884 840715 to discuss your requirements - we have a proven track record of purchasing the right horse for the right money, and they don't have to cost a fortune (witness Istabraq's conqueror Pridwell, who we bought at these very sales) - we will be there everyday.
- Sunday, 24 October 2010 07:00
- Written by Chester Barnes
The new Timeform Hurdlers and Chasers Annual is out now. It comprises 1172 pages of horse biographies, ratings and statistics. I have spent half of my life looking up horses in these annuals and researching ratings, and while the price tag of £70 may sound steep, once you have it you will look at it every day. It is a must for all serious punters, and an excellent Christmas present.
- Saturday, 23 October 2010 07:37
- Written by Chester Barnes
Legendary Australian trainer Bart Cummings has this morning landed Australia's premier weight for age race, The Cox Plate at Moonee Valley with odds-on favourite So You Think. Ridden by Steven Arnold, who tasted Royal Ascot success aboard Scenic Blast, the result was never really in doubt as So You Think coasted to his second consecutive success in the race. Full result: 1st So You Think, 2nd Zipping, 3rd Whobegotyou.
Over on these shores, the National Hunt season is really getting into full swing now with meetings at Aintree, Chepstow and Stratford this afternoon. There has been a fair bit of overnight rain in the West country, so the going at Chepstow could turn out to be quite testing (especially as they had already been watering the track). I don't advocate horses running on track's that are as hard as a road, but I do think that sometimes the groundsmen should just leave the ground alone and let nature take it's course.
- Friday, 22 October 2010 06:54
- Written by Chester Barnes
I thought that Armenian Boy ran a sound enough race at Ludlow yesterday afternoon to finish second to National Trust. The winner was well treated at the ratings and if it were a handicap we would have received 16lbs, so in fact it wasn't a bad run by any means to be beaten only 6 lengths. He has now finished runner-up on his last three outings, and should be capable of winning a similar race. The winner was sold for £6,250 and new connections could find him quite difficult to place from a handicap mark of 130.
Congratulations to A P McCoy on reaching one hundred winners for the season at Ludlow yesterday. The fifteen times champion jockey has said that he wants to reach 200 winners again this season (a feat he hasn't achieved since the 2004/5 season), and provided he remains injury free, that looks to be a foregone conclusion.
- Thursday, 21 October 2010 07:21
- Written by Chester Barnes
Hats off to Jamie Goldstein for agreeing to be interviewed by motor mouth Matt Chapman on Attheraces yesterday. Matt was not at all happy with the ride that Jamie gave Moonwolf in the 2.20pm race at Fontwell yesterday. During a close finish, it would seem that unless the jockey is belting seven bells out of the horse with a shillelagh, then Matt is convinced he is not trying! Chapman is like a dog with a bone when he goes on one, so credit to Jamie for trying to explain to him that the horse is a bleeder (not unlike Matt!), and has to do everything on the bridle as he will not find anything for a good hiding.
- Wednesday, 20 October 2010 06:58
- Written by Chester Barnes
Pain? What pain? Chester prepares for his flu jab
We had a nurse in the yard yesterday to administer complimentary flu jabs to any of the staff that wanted one. Now, as you regular readers will testify, I have never been one to be frightened of a little pain(!) and so I was right at the front of the queue to have my injection. As you can see from the picture, I toughed it out and was by far the bravest of those jabbed, although for some reason the person directly following me did looks a little apprehensive!
