Sylvest Seeks Hat-Trick!

My Brother Sylvest bids to complete a quick-fire hat-trick at Haydock today having been taken out of his engagement at Chepstow yesterday.  It was probably a wise move as it continued to rain all day at the Welsh track and by the end of racing the ground was officially soft and it looked really tough going.  My Brother Sylvest will certainly appreciate the good/firm ground that is currently prevailing at Haydock and while he is burdened with a double penalty for his Exeter and Wincanton successes, some of that is offset by Conor O'Farrell's 3lbs claim.  Part owner Michael Owen scored during Manchester United's 3-0 win over Aldershot last night, so let's hope that My Brother Sylvest and complete a couple of good days for the striker.

My Brother Sylvest bids to complete a quick-fire hat-trick at Haydock today having been taken out of his engagement at Chepstow yesterday.  It was probably a wise move as it continued to rain all day at the Welsh track and by the end of racing the ground was officially soft and it looked really tough going.  My Brother Sylvest will certainly appreciate the good/firm ground that is currently prevailing at Haydock and while he is burdened with a double penalty for his Exeter and Wincanton successes, some of that is offset by Conor O'Farrell's 3lbs claim.  Part owner Michael Owen scored during Manchester United's 3-0 win over Aldershot last night, so let's hope that My Brother Sylvest and complete a couple of good days for the striker.

I thought that Barney Cool performed respectably in the closing bumper given the deteriorating ground.  As a four year old he had a tough task on his hands trying to concede weight to his rivals and it could be that he will be seen to better effect on a sounder surface.

Back at home, I took a few more pictures on the gallops - this time of three horses that are yet to make their debuts for the yard.  First up completing a solo gallop was Midnight Tuesday, a nice big horse who showed some decent hurdles form.  I also managed to get a picture of a couple of nice ex-French flat horses, War Singer and Kazlian who were purchased at the Arqana sales back in the summer - they went nicely upsides and will be making their hurdling debuts before too long.

  
Above left: Midnight Tuesday and right: (l-r) War Singer and Kazlian on the Pond House gallops

Yet another jockey was banned yesterday, but this time it wasn't for trying too hard, it was for not trying hard enough!  Jodie Mogford was banned for 14 days for schooling in public while the horse was banned from running for forty days.  Trainer Graeme McPherson (who ironically is also a QC who often helps the BHA at disciplinary inquiries) was fined £3,000.  You don't hear about many of these offences anymore as with the advancing technology available to trainers such as all-weather gallops, there is no reason for a horse not to be ready first time out.  If McPherson choses to appeal, it should certainly make for an interesting inquiry!