Karnaval Point Third at Uttoxeter 

We have been quiet with runners the past week but two of our three runners ran well to be placed and therefore continue the good run of stable form.  Best Night probably ran as well as she ever has for us and finished second to a very well handicapped rival at Warwick.  Back down to her last winning mark she can be found easier opportunities.  Karnaval Point backed up his win at Worcester with a very good effort to be a close third at Uttoxeter off a nine-pound higher mark.  It was a competitive little race and while up in grade on this ground he probably wants a bit further in distance.  He was a winner over three miles in France so will appreciate a stiffer test of stamina but this was still a good effort and he can win again.

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   American Sniper Winner at Newton Abbot

The good form for the yard has continued and our three runners in the last week have yielded two winners and a third.  American Sniper returned to form at Newton Abbot last Wednesday and he was given a great front running ride by Rian Corcoran to win cosily.  The handicapper had given him some help and dropped in grade of race he was able to put in a dominant display carrying top weight.  He enjoys the quicker ground and as long as the handicapper doesn’t over-react I am sure he can be winning again.

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              Saccary & Rian Corcoran

It has been a great week for the yard with four winners from our last six runners and we are now on four winners for the new season.  October Hill got the ball rolling at Ffos Las last week under a fine ride from Rian Corcoran.  Rian has actually been on board all our winners of late as Jack Tudor is currently not riding and serving a ban.  October Hill has been very consistent since joining us from Ireland but was yet to get her head in front over hurdles.  She had been placed a few times but did have to bounce back from a slightly lesser effort at Exeter last time.  The handicapper had given her some help and with Rian’s five pound claim she duly took advantage showing a good turn of foot inside the final furlong.  It was a competitive little race and all five runners held every chance from two out but she quickened up nicely close home to score a shade cosily.  On this evidence she can be winning again this summer.

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 Little Chiefy & Jack Pipe Winners at Bangor

A big highlight in what was a relatively quiet week was my son Jack winning his first racecourse series pony race at Bangor on Saturday on his pony Little Chiefy.  This is the first season Jack has been properly riding in pony races and having started at Cocklebarrow in January, he and his pony have progressed and learnt with every run.  He has won two point to point pony races, at Charlton Horthorne and Flete Park from six starts and he was placed on the other occasions as well, but this was stepping up to a different level and I am a very proud dad.  Jack learns from his mistakes and has taken something from each of his races.

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                 Affection - For Sale  
All the winter horses are now turned out to grass for some much deserved R & R and a lot of staff are now on their summer holidays as well.  We have a team of about 20 to race over the summer and as soon as we have a little rain we have some ready to run but it is a little quiet in the coming days.  Steam cleaning, tidying and painting are the main jobs going on at the moment so Pond House is still a hive of activity.

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Jack & Little Chiefy Winning at Flete (Photo:APX)

The last week has absolutely flown by as it has been a busy time.  The new season is underway and we very nearly made it a winning start to the new campaign in the opening race at Uttoxeter on Saturday with Saccary finishing a neck second under Jack Tudor.  Our seven-year-old is yet to win over hurdles and has now finished second on his last three starts but I don’t think he has done anything wrong in defeat and he should be winning races over the summer.  Grand Claremont made his British and stable debut and found the ground a little too lively.  These French horses can take a race or two to acclimatize to the British style of racing and our eight-time winner will improve for this initial experience.

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   Thanksforthehelp runs at Punchestown

The 2025-26 season came to its conclusion on Saturday and we get a few days break from jumps racing on this side of the Irish Sea before it all starts again on Saturday with meetings at Hexham and Uttoxeter.  I do always think there should be a longer gap before we start again but I am not sure anything will be changing anytime soon!

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