Off and Running

         October Hill Winner at Ffos Las

The team is off and running for the new jumps season after October Hill won for the first time over hurdles at Ffos Las yesterday.  She has been consistently placed since joining us at the end of last year but this was a deserved first success for our six year old mare.  She has always shown a likeable attitude and although she was a little disappointing at Exeter last time she has generally held her form.  There were only five runners but it was a competitive little race and all five horses had a chance as they jumped the second last hurdle.  The field then had to bypass the last hurdle because it had been damaged on the first circuit and Rian spotted this early and was in a great position on the inside to most effectively make this manoeuvre.  One or two of his rivals were caught a little unawares which caused a little bit of congestion for some but Rian produced our mare to win inside the final furlong to win going away at the line.  He only pushed her out hands and heels and she quickened up nicely.  She enjoyed the track and ground and as long as the handicapper doesn't overreact which I don't think they will, then I don't see why she cannot be winning again. 

Rian Corcoran gave our mare a lovely ride to win at 10/1.  He thought his other ride of the day, Bridget Mary was his best chance of a winner beforehand yesterday but that one disappointed and it is nice both he and us are off the mark for the 2026-27 National Hunt season.  There is no jumps racing today and the stable does not have any runners but there are several flat meetings to watch.  The action comes from Musselburgh, Haydock, Catterick, Southwell and Chepstow over here while in Ireland they have a jumps card at Limerick. 

It was also a good day for us up at Doncaster Sales yesterday and we have three new recruits joining us later today, and unraced four year old, a four year old recruit from the Irish point to point field who looks excellent value and an experienced chaser who has been there and done that but is rated 140 and has some high class form to his name.  More about these shortly but I have to go and do the school run with David and Leanne away and Jack has two exams today so I better not be late! 

Well done to Aston Villa who are Europa League Champions after beating Freiburg in Istanbul last night.  Prince William was in the crowd as a Villa supporter and it is nice for another British team to have done well in Europe.

I got a flyer on anger management the other day...

Then I immediately lost it!

Have a good day!