3 MORE WINNERS IN A WEEK!
04-11-2016
THIS WEEK Despite the distinct lack of rain as we motor on in to November, we've still managed to get a number of runners out on the track. And with three more winners to report across the full variety of disciples - flat, hurdles and over fences, things are on the up... REPORTS Fou et Sage produced an excellent 2nd on debut for the yard at Wetherby on Saturday. He jumped off to make the running under Gavin Sheehan but was a little keen down over the first 3 obstacles, so Gavin took him back and settled him in 2nd. He jumped very well on the whole and swung into the straight with every chance. Holly Bush Henry started to hang in on Fou but he showed a great attitude to fight him off before setting his sights on the leader. He almost got upsides at the last, produced his best jump and quickened up the run in but unfortunately couldn’t quite get to the impressive winner Double Ws. It was a very pleasing debut and he’s an exciting recruit to the yard. He may well take his chance in another novices handicap chase next. Later on that day Regal Gait produced a gutsy performance to get his head in front at Chelmsford. He was slow out of the gates and found himself further back than ideal off a slow pace. Regal travelled well throughout the contest and when jockey Martin Harley asked him to pick up he found plenty. The leaders got first run on him but Regal was still able to catch them inside the final furlong. It was an extremely pleasing debut and he should make a nice dual purpose horse going forward. Hoke Colburn took a big step in the right direction when finishing 3rd at Hereford on Monday. He was disappointing on debut at Market Rasen earlier in the month but found the step up in trip to his liking here. He showed signs of greenness by running in snatches for jockey David Bass, but jumped and travelled far better. He looked like he’d give the leader something to worry about turning for home but the eventual first and second were able to quicken better. It was a pleasing step forward and hopefully we can find something similar for him next time to gain more valuable experience. Meanwhile on the same day over at Plumpton, Jack Bear also finished a promising 3rd on his second start over hurdles. He unseated on debut last month at Newton Abbot, so it was great to see him also taking a step in the right direction this time. Gavin rode him just off the pace and he travelled well throughout the race. When he moved into contention going down the back straight for the final time he looked like he’d play a major part in the finish but he got outpaced up the home straight, eventually finishing 3rd. It was a cracking run from Jack and we feel he will appreciate a more galloping track and a step up in trip going forward. Emerging Force made it 2 from 2 over fences with a gutsy display at Exeter on Tuesday. There were a couple of significant non runners, so the race became a very tactical affair. He jumped off upsides the eventual leader Southfield Vic, but soon found himself in 2nd just off the leader. They went very steady all the way around and only really got racing as they went down the back straight for the final time. It became a bit of a sprint up over the last 4 fences and Force did extremely well to pick up the leader, before going on to win by 2 lengths. It wasn’t his most impressive performance but the race wasn’t run to see him at his best. He is now likely to be aimed at a Grade 2 Novice Chase on Hennessy day next. Charlemar got his career for HWR off to the best possible start with an impressive victory at Chepstow on Wednesday. Gavin Sheehan positioned him nicely down the rail and he travelled well throughout the contest. His jumping was electric and as the race was slowly run, it turned into a bit of a sprint down the home straight. This put Charlemar's jumping under maximum pressure, to which he produced awesome jumps at the last three obstacles and won by ¾ of a length. It was an exceptional debut and he showed loads of class in a race that wasn’t run to suit. He is a very exciting prospect going forward. Flower Ball finished 6th on hurdling debut at the same meeting. Gavin Sheehan popped him out in front and he went through the race very nicely. He jumped well and looked to have the rest of the field under pressure as they left the back straight. Coming to 3 out he looked to have the race at his mercy but stopped quickly in the run in, eventually coming home in 3rd. Gavin felt his breathing was an issue, so we will have that looked at before finding another novice hurdle for him. He showed lots of ability on the day and is another nice prospect going forward. Passing du Moulin took a huge step in the right direction with 3rd place in the bumper that ended the same card at Chepstow. He was very weak when he made his debut at Plumpton last season but produced a very likeable display here. He jumped off upsides under Gavin and travelled through the race pretty well, although he did show signs of greenness. He led the field into the straight but he couldn’t quicken with the eventual first and second, however he did stay on well all the way up the straight to finish a promising 3rd. He is a staying chaser for the future so this was very encouraging. We now have the option of taking in another bumper or going over hurdles next. Cristal de Sienne ran a hugely encouraging race to finish 2nd on debut at Newbury yesterday. He jumped off in a handy position under jockey Gavin Sheehan and they went quite slowly for the the first mile. As the pace increased Cristal was squeezed for room and found himself dropping back through the field but Gavin didn't panic. He found himself at the back with 3f to go but as soon as Gavin gave him some light and asked him to go forward he took off. He started to take lengths out of the field going into the closing stages and managed to take 2nd. It was a hugely encouraging run and he will only improve from here. He's an exciting prospect. ENTRIES Ahraam has been declared to face 9 rivals at Warwick in a maiden juvenile hurdle this afternoon. He's run well on both hurdle starts but has flattened out at the crucial time on both occasions. He has also done the same in all of his flat starts, so we checked his breathing and he has since had a wind operation which hopefully will stop him hitting this flat spot. This is quite a competitive race but if he can put his best foot forward he shouldn’t be too far away. Vinnie Lewis will make his debut for HWR in a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las on Sunday. As mentioned in previous email’s, he's a dual winning pointer and placed on his two starts in bumpers. He will be suited by 3m+ in time but we felt he should start off over 2m4f around a galloping track. Although he does have form on very soft ground, he is by Vinnie Roe and should be suited by the sound surface that he’s likely to encounter this time. We can’t wait to see him out and learn some more about him. Guiding Stars is entered at Huntingdon on Tuesday, but would need some rain to take his chance. He's a good moving horse but you wouldn’t want to risk him on ground that was too quick. He is a very free going, mentally forward horse and looks more like a 4yo than a 3yo. He has been pleasing in his work and we are really looking forward to his debut. Tutchec is entered at Lingfield on Tuesday, but would need significant rain to make his debut for The Harry Whittington Racing Club there. He has been working and schooling really nicely since joining the yard and is ready to make his debut when the ground eases. If we can get him back to his best he is very well handicapped. Blandfords Gunner is entered at the same meeting, but is another who would need some rain. He is a well-bred, progressive chaser who seems to have the speed for 2m but gets 2m4f well. He has been doing everything very easily since joining the yard and we are very lucky to have him. He has only had 5 starts over fences and should have a fair bit more to come. Until next week...