Busy Easter Saturday

      Barrier Peaks runs at Exeter Today

I hope everyone enjoyed a nice Good Friday? The weather was lovely and I had an enjoyable day at Bath races even though the actual journey to and from the racecourse was not so great!! Talap ran with credit despite finishing out of the prize money and we were getting quite excited at one point but he just got a little tired at the end. Jockey Ben Curtis was pretty positive after the race and thinks ridden a bit differently he is more than capable of winning races going forwards which was nice to hear.

It is a busy day for the yard today with 9 runners across two meetings. The lorry left very early this morning to head to Haydock where we have three runners, Bashful Boy, Neon Moon and D’jango.  Bashful Boy runs in the challenger final over two miles at 1.30pm and Jack Tudor rides. It is fair to say his hurdling campaign has not quite gone to plan this season but he has shown career best flat form on the all weather on his last two starts. He returns hurdling with the handicapper having given him some help and he will definitely enjoy the better ground forecast this afternoon. He got a bit stuck in the mud on his last couple of hurdling starts and today should be much more to his liking. He is a big price in a competitive race but has an each way chance.

Neon Moon runs in the three mile handicap chase at 2.40pm with Jack Tudor in the saddle. His last three runs since a wind op have been very good, second at Taunton and in a very good race race at Ascot as well. We were slightly disappointed with his third at Newbury last time but that was a competitive affair and I think he was perhaps not at his best, maybe feeling the effects of three relatively quick races. He has had a little break since then and I think todays track on drying ground will really suit him and he looks a good each way bet as well.

D’jango runs in the 3.50pm veterans handicap chase and James Best rides having got on well riding him in the past. You can forgive him his last run when he was a big price in the Midlands National and this will be much more to his liking. His two races prior to Uttoxeter were good and if he gets into a good jumping rhythm early on then hopefully he will run his usual solid race.

We have six runners at Newton Abbot at their first meeting of 2023. Their ground is described as heavy but I am sure it will have dried out a bit after a nice sunny day yesterday.  Only Fools runs in the opening novices hurdle at 1.40pm with Philip Armson on board. She ran okay on hurdling debut at Taunton last time but may need more experience this afternoon.  Abaya Du Mathan makes a quick reappearance after and excellent run to be second at Hereford earlier in the week. A repeat of that run with Gearoid Harney riding again would see him run very well in this if the race does not come too soon.

Barrier Peaks runs in the 2.50pm handicap hurdle over 3m2f with Fergus Gillard on board. He has been a star this season and although not continuing his winning sequence at Chepstow last time, he still ran very well to be second and probably post a career best performance. He is trying 3m2f for the first time today but we think it will suit and he should run well. The favourite looks the one to beat but we shall certainly try our best!!

Iceo Madrik runs in the 3.25pm handicap chase over 2m5f with Fergus Gillard riding. We are on a bit of a fact finding mission with him today with him carrying top weight. He has some really good form in France and we chucked him in at the deep end in the Cheltenham Festival which didn’t really work out. He is a nice horse at home and hopefully he will run well but I do think whatever happens today he will be a much better horse next season when he has acclimatised fully.

Hammer Dan runs in the maiden hurdle at 4pm with fergus Gillard on board. He is one just to watch today as he has struggled so far in two starts. He has more ability than we have seen but he probably will be a better horse in time.

Via Dante is our final runner on the Newton Abbot card and he goes in the 4.35pm handicap chase with Philip Armson on board. He was in the process of running a much better race on chasing debut at Chepstow last time time when unluckily falling mid race. He has schooled well at home since and with a clear round I hope he can show a bit more in this race today.

There is lots of football and golf today but enjoy all the action, whatever you maybe watching!!

My favourite word is drool…it just rolls of the tongue!! Happy Saturday!!