Winning Phantom

  Phantomofthepoints Winner at Chepstow

It was a lovely first win over hurdles yesterday for Phantomofthepoints at Chepstow. His task was made a little easier by the early departure of the favourite, but it was an impressive performance and his rival would’ve had to run to his handicap mark or more to have beaten our gelding anyway I think. He looked much happier from a very early stage compared to Hexham last time and was left in the lead when the favour departed. He jumped very well and pulled well clear up the home straight.

It was a deserved first victory after three second places already this season and it was particularly special as he is, of course out of the mare Swing Bowler, who we used to train at Pond House. He has always promised much so it was brilliant he was finally able to deliver and I think there is plenty more to come. He has a big engine and a good attitude and the plan is to go to Ayr for the Scottish National meeting next stop.  It was also nice to get a winner in the 'Honeysuckle' colours and he will be a smashing novice chaser next season. Jack Pipe enjoyed another day racing at Chepstow. He got interviewed on the TV by Josh Apiafi and collected the winning prize, he is starting to become our lucky mascot!

Fighter Allen was disappointing and we haven’t found the key to him yet, but he has too much talent to write off just yet. I think Heure De Gloire ran her usual honest race but was not quite good enough yesterday. Once the handicapper gives her a bit of help I am sure she can return to winning ways.

Rebel Angel ran well to a point at Fakenham, and while I didn’t watch it live, I replayed it last night and thought perhaps she did not enjoy the course. She is only little and so we thought she would handle the tight bends, but she never seemed that happy or got into a rhythm at any point.  She wasn’t beaten that far and I’m sure she can do better on a more conventional track next time. Via Dante was slowly into stride, and was on the back from an early stage, but I thought Conor O’farrell gave him a lovely ride and didn’t hurry him early, but slowly let him warm to his task. He began to pick off rivals on the final circuit and things looked good jumping two out, but the leader just pulled out a bit more. It was a definite step back in the right direction and if we get the start right next time I’m sure he is capable of winning.

I was at Cothelstone point point yesterday and Conal Kavanagh had his first ride aboard Castle Daragh in the hunt race. He rode the horse well to finish his 2nd to a 1/7 favourite and it was good to finally get him round. He gave him a very sensible ride and he loved every minute and can’t wait to do it all again!

Today, there is just the one jumps meeting at Ludlow and two flat cards, one at Pontefract on the turf and the other on the all-weather at Wolverhampton. There is no racing in Ireland and the stable does not have any runners.

There are five Premier League football matches this evening and Nan, Wolves are in action away to Burnley at 7:45pm. West Ham are at home to Spurs, 8.15pm kick off.

Today was my son‘s fourth birthday party. I didn’t recognise him at first.

I’ve never seen him be four!

Have a great day.