3 Saturday Bumper Winners
27-10-2017
THIS WEEK The mud was well and truly flying as The Dubai Way purged his way to victory at Ffos Las on Saturday, a true sign that winter is upon us. So as Cheltenham kicks off today and the clocks go back this weekend, we're all systems go for the new season. The bumper horses have been flying with consistent performances from all including 3 Saturday winners in the last 4 weeks, so long may it continue... REPORTS The Dubai Way got his HWR career off to the perfect start, with a gutsy win at Ffos Las on Saturday. It was a competitive race on paper and they went a good gallop. He settled nicely under Harry Bannister and travelled strongly throughout the contest. When they quickened turning into the straight, he picked up well and made an eye catching move through the field. He got to the leaders with a furlong and a half to go and showed the best attitude of all of them, to battle it out by half a length. He is very much a chaser for the future and he handled the conditions very well. He is an exciting prospect going forward. Zephyros Bleu finished 9th on his seasonal reappearance at Exeter on Tuesday. He jumped off just behind the leaders and put in an excellent round of jumping. He travelled sweetly and was going as well as anything jumping 5 out, but the pace lifted coming into the home straight and he was caught flat footed. He took a blow and then ran in up the straight to finish 9th. The ground was plenty quick enough for him and he is a big horse who has needed his first run in the past. It was an eye catching reappearance, which sets him up nicely for the season. Bridge of Cally produced an improved performance to finish 6th at Southwell yesterday. We switched tactics and dropped him in on this occasion. There was a very strong pace throughout and this allowed him to settle nicely. The race took shape down the back straight and Bridge passed a couple. He came off the bridle turning for home but found for pressure to finish a pleasing 6th. This was a step in the right direction and he will progress from here. ENTRIES The Cothill Racing Club's Vbadge Treat is set to have her second start for the yard at Aintree on Sunday. She is a filly that has always gone nicely at home and she shaped well for much of her debut, before finishing very lame. She has done well for her summer break and has been working very nicely. The race does look competitive on Sunday, but if she can take her home work to the track she should run very well. Star Tackle was set to make his chase debut at Southwell yesterday, but the ground was too quick. He reroutes to Ayr on Monday, where the ground is very much on the soft side. He is a big horse who will be better suited to fences than hurdles and this novices handicap chase is a nice starting point for him. 2 and a half miles on this ground should be fine for him, but he will stay further in time. He should progress throughout the season. Vinnie Lewis is set to have his 2nd chase start at Chepstow on Tuesday. He ran very well at Bangor first time out and has come on nicely for that reappearance. The track, ground and the step up in trip should suit him and we can't wait to see him out again. He has to have a good chance. Court Liability is set to make his hurdles debut next week and he is entered in 8 different places. He showed a cracking attitude to win his bumper at Fontwell earlier this month and has schooled very well in preparation for this run. He is from a very good staying family and will progress as he steps up in trip throughout the season. Ritasun is set to have his next start for the yard at Fakenham on Wednesday. He has been very consistent over hurdles for us and went closest to getting his head at this venue on debut in June. Clearly the sharp nature of the track suits him and granted some luck in running he should run well off a mark of 103. This will be his last run for us, before heading to the horses in training sale on Thursday. Until next week...