2 UNFORTUNATE UNSEATS BUT THINGS ARE LOOKING UP
18-11-2016
THIS WEEK After a few unlucky runs with two unfortunate unseats we were beginning to feel a little disappointed and not to mention frustrated! However moving through the week things have picked up and we've got a busy weekend ahead of us with a runner in one of the main races tomorrow... REPORTS Blandfords Gunner finished 4th on his first start for the yard at Wetherby on Saturday. He travelled like the best horse in the race for much of the contest, under a good ride from James Nixon. He looked to have most of the field under pressure coming to the last fence down the back straight, but a mistake effected his momentum. He wasn’t quite able to go with the leaders up the home straight and another mistake at the 2nd last ended any chance of a place. It was a pleasing reappearance and hopefully he can progress from here. Tutchec unseated on his first start of the season at Fontwell on Sunday. We wanted to make the running with him on this drop back in trip, but a cavalry charge to the first fence meant he found himself further back than we’d hope. He travelled nicely through the contest and James got him into a good rhythm. Unfortunately as he started to pick off some of his rivals, Tutchec decided to not pick his feet up at the first fence in the home straight and gave his rider no chance of maintaining the partnership. Both horse and rider returned unscathed, so we will now look at race a Towcester on Thursday. The stiff track should really suit. Sunday Royal unseated on his first start for the yard at Plumpton on Monday, but that doesn’t tell half the story. Sunday jumped off in a handy position and produced a great jump at the first to find himself upsides the leader. He missed the carnage on the inside at the first where the leader slammed the breaks on, dived sideways and gave the jockey no chance. As the field came down to the second hurdle the loose horse ran straight across the front of the field, barging into Sunday and knocking Aidan Coleman out of the saddle. Two other horses were taken out at the same obstacle and the race fell apart from there. Sunday took a heavy bump but has come home safe and sound, so we will look for another race in a couple of weeks. Farbreaga finished down the field on his return to the track at Chepstow on Wednesday. He went into the race in good form, but it was a very competitive contest and they went a ferocious gallop from flag fall. Jerry McGrath dropped him in off the pace and he jumped well on the whole, but the strong pace at this trip proved too much for him. This trip is too sharp for him now, so we will look to step him up in trip going forward. He retains the enthusiasm to win races. Katarhinni finished 3rd on her first start for us at the same meeting. She travelled well for much of the contest, jumped tidily on the whole but wasn’t able to get on terms with the leaders at any stage. She has had an interrupted career but this was the best run she’s produced. Mares only handicaps are fairly thin on the ground at this level, so we will have a look at the programme book before deciding what to do with her next. ENTRIES Zephyros Bleu has been declared to make his first start over fences at Ffos Las this afternoon. He was very consistent last season without getting his head in front and starts life over fences off a workable mark of 115. He is a stronger horse this year and his schooling has been good, but this trip may be slightly short of his optimum. Hopefully he can produce a clear round and give the market leaders something to think about. Affaire D’Honneur has been declared to face 14 rivals in the Fixed Brush handicap hurdle at Haydock tomorrow. This is a step up in trip for him and hopefully it will unlock some improvement. He proved last year that he can be competitive in some of the best handicaps off a mark of 128 and the first time cheek pieces should help him travel a bit more sweetly here. He slightly disappointed at Fontwell last time out but this type of race should see him in a much better light. It is one of the most competitive handicaps of the season and it would be great if he could run a big race and be there in the shake up. The soft ground won’t be an issue and Josh Moore rides for the first time. Astrapaios is entered in the bumper at Ascot tomorrow, but will wait till December before making his racecourse debut. Hoke Colburn is being aimed at a novice hurdle at Hereford on Wednesday. He took a step in the right direction at the same venue last time out and has been in good form since then. Hopefully he can take another step forward, before stepping up in trip later in the season. Softer ground won't inconvenience him. Regal Gait is entered for is first hurdle start at Wetherby on Wednesday. He won nicely on the flat last time out and showed he possesses more than enough stamina for the jumping game. He has done loads of schooling, has a good attitude and should handle some cut under foot. Hopefully he can put in a good display and prove to be a good dual purpose performer. Fouburg is set to run back over hurdles at Taunton on Thursday. He ran well for a long way in a competitive handicap chase, but switches back to hurdles because it is the most suitable race. The sharp track at Taunton and the slight drop in class should suit. If he can continue to relax on the track like he is at home, he should take another step forward. Vinnie Lewis is set to have his next start at Towcester on Thursday. He ran well for a long way in a very competitive race at Ffos Las first time out, and should be suited by the switch to a stiffer track. The ground is likely to be slower than the previous day which should help and he has improved at home for his first run. Ikraamm is set to have his first racecourse appearance at the same meeting on Thursday. He is a laid-back character, who has done everything that’s been asked of him at home. He is a very well bred horse, but took some time to come to hand. The stiff test of a junior bumper around this track should suit him. Until next week...