A VICTORIOUS RETURN TRIP TO AINTREE

09-12-2016

THIS WEEK Since we made a victorious return trip to Aintree on Saturday with the Hennessy Six and their exciting new recruit Charlemar, it's been a much quieter week all round on the track.  Meanwhile thanks to our friends at RJO Construction we've made plenty of progress on the developments to the new barn which we hope to be in by Christmas... REPORTS Charlemar won in impressive fashion on his 2nd start for the yard at Aintree on Saturday.  He jumped off in 2nd under jockey Aidan Coleman, but his slick jumping meant he soon found his way to the front.  He travelled powerfully throughout the contest and when Aidan wound the pace up from the back straight his jumping put his rivals under real pressure.  He winged down the home straight and picked up well after the last to record a smooth 6 length win.  It was a very professional performance and he’s a hugely exciting prospect going forward.  His next run could be the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown in January. Limonata finished 5th, but only beaten a length on her first start for the yard at Wolverhampton on Friday.  She broke nicely under jockey Luke Morris and was able to take a handy position from an early stage.  She travelled well for the first few furlongs, but as the pace increased she ran in snatches coming on and off the bridle.  She still turned into the straight with every chance but could not quite pick up as well as some of her rivals.  Her next start is likely to be at Lingfield in a weeks time. Wychwoods Brook finished 5th on debut for the yard at Kelso on Sunday.  He travelled well for the majority of the contest, which was very encouraging considering it wasn’t his favoured deep ground.  His jumping was untidy at times, but this was an encouraging start and something to build on.  He should be much sharper for the run and will now be aimed at the Veterans series final at Sandown in January. ENTRIES Emerging Force has been declared to face 5 rivals at Cheltenham today.  He was very impressive at Hereford first time out before grinding out victory in workmanlike fashion at Exeter.  He is in excellent form at home and goes into the contest with a favourite’s chance.  It will be his first sight of Cheltenham and the result of the run will dictate what we do with him for the remainder of the season.  Hopefully he can develop into a festival contender. Fourovakind is entered at Lingfield tomorrow to make his seasonal reappearance.  He has a liking for bottomless ground, so this dry spell hasn’t been ideal for him.  If the ground is in his favour he will take his chance, but I fear we may have to wait till the rain comes for him. Tutchec is set to run at Southwell on Sunday.  He ran an encouraging race last time out over a trip that was a bit short for him at Towcester and now steps up to 3m+.  The trip should suit and although he does handle an easier surface the ground shouldn’t be an issue.  Hopefully he can take a step in the right direction. Ruby Yeats is set to run at Southwell on Sunday.  She hasn’t been with us for very long but her work has been good and so has her schooling.  She hasn’t shown much on her starts under rules or in point to points but she’s a big mare and may well have been on the weak side.  We look forward to learning some more about her. Flower Ball is entered in a few different races, but the likely target is Southwell on Sunday.  He has come out of his wind operation well and is now ready to go again.  He ran well for a long way at Chepstow and we are hopeful he can build on that run.  He does have a low ballot mark however, so isn't guaranteed to get a run. Charlie Papa Lima is set to make his debut over hurdles in the next week or so.  He schooled nicely this week and his work has been good since his encouraging run at Fakenham.  He showed a fair bit of speed that day so he will start over the minimum trip.  He is in 3 different races and we will decide where he goes closer to the time. Astrapaios is entered at Ffos Las on Monday.  The race is a bumper for newcomers only and the galloping nature of the track should really suit him.  He is a horse who needs some cut in the ground, so the weather may dictate whether he takes his chance or not.  He is a horse with an excellent attitude and he has been going nicely at home. Until next week...