Winning Dance

  Order of the Dance - Winner at Ffos Las

Order of the Dance made all to make a winning stable debut at Ffos Las yesterday.  Jack Tudor dictated things from the front and our five year old was spring heeled at every hurdle and had his ears pricked the whole way round.  Quickening the pace from jumping the third last hurdle he began to get his rivals in trouble and he gradually extended clear to win quite comfortably in the end.  This was our geldings first career win after he finished runner up in Ireland on three occasions so it was a great start to life in Britain.  We do have him entered at Worcester next week to possibly run under a penalty but we will see how he is in the coming days and find out what the handicapper is likely to raise him for this success.

Today we have two runners at Uttoxeter, Purple Owl and First Lord Du Cuet.  Purple Owl makes his hurdling debut in the 2.22pm novices hurdle over two miles and Jack Tudor rides.  He had one run for us last season in a bumper at Taunton and was a little disappointing but there were excuses for that and I expect a better run this afternoon.  He won his Irish point to point on good to firm ground and he was heavy at Taunton when he ran so I think he will prefer today's conditions.  We also had trouble getting him quite right last year after he arrived from Ireland but he had a good summer at grass and we have had a smooth run of things this time with his preparation and so I think we could see a different horse today.  He goes nicely at home and I would not be surprised to see him outrun his odds.

First Lord Du Cuet runs in the 2.57pm handicap chase over three miles.  'Lordy' has some very decent form in the book in his career and while he may not quite be the force of old he is still showing the ability is still there and the enthusiasm at home.  He is yet to win over fences under rules but did win a point to point in the spring with Rian Corcoran riding and you can forgive his hunter chase effort after this when Cartmel was not to his liking!  Rian is on board again today and claims a very valuable ten pounds off his back which is huge advantage.  He is one of the outsiders in this field but I think he has a decent each way chance with the course and ground likely to suit.

Uttoxeter is not the only jumps meeting today as there is also the first meeting of the season for Fakenham.  There are not loads of runners there but races look competitive and there will be some good racing from both tracks this afternoon. there are three flat meetings today at Haydock, Redcar and Newcastle.  There is just one fixture in Ireland today and that is a flat card at Dundalk this evening.

Tommy Fleetwood leads Shane Lowry after two rounds in the India Championship with Rory McIlory having just started his second round.  There is a local Derby in the rugby Premiership this evening with Gloucester at home to Bristol Bears at 7.45pm

I told my suitcases there will be no holiday this year.

Now I am dealing with emotional baggage!

Happy Friday!