ALMOST A DOUBLE & AN EXCITING PROSPECT FOR SALE

30-06-2017

THIS WEEK We were whiskers away from our first double on Monday with a brilliant win by new recruit Eyesopenwideawake followed an excellent performance from Charlie Papa Lima who sadly just got pipped at the post in the run in.  So as the summer jumpers continue to perform consistently well, next week we'll be full steam ahead with the first batch of winter horses returning to work and the new driveway is coming along nicely... REPORTS Salto Chisco finished a staying on 7th at Ffos Las last Thursday.  It was a strongly run race and Salto settled in midfield, but didn’t jump as tidily as he had on his previous 2 starts.  He still went through the race well though and turned into the straight with every chance.  He made his challenge coming to 2 out, but his run flattened out, eventually finishing 7th.  The galloping track in the watered ground didn’t bring the best out in him, so we will switch back to a sharper track next time. Benefit of Luck was pulled up on chasing debut at Market Rasen last Friday.  He raced in a handy position under jockey Harry Bannister and jumped the first 3 fences well, but when he turned down the back straight he made a bad mistake at the open ditch.  This put him on the back foot and he lost a bit of confidence with his jumping.  Harry gave him a strong ride to keep him in contention turning in, but the mistakes took their toll in the straight and he pulled up before the last.  He will do plenty of schooling before he runs again. Eyesopenwideawake produced a brilliant front running performance to win on debut for the yard at Southwell on Monday.  He made the running and set a good gallop under Harry Bannister.  His jumping was superb, and Harry was able to give him a breather down the back straight, before kicking turning for home.  The horse kept responding all the way up the straight and fought off all his rivals to win by just over 2 lengths.  It was an excellent debut and he can progress from here.  This horse is now for sale , details of which we have included below... Charlie Papa Lima produced a career best, but was denied victory in the dying strides to finish 2nd on the same card at Southwell.  We switched to front running tactics and it seemed to really suit him.  Charlie put in a much improved round of jumping and travelled very powerfully.  He kicked 4 lengths clear in the straight and looked the likely winner but was pipped in the dying strides by the Malcolm Jefferson trained Sweet Holly.  If she had come to him earlier it may well have been a different story.  It was a big step forward and he will continue to improve from here. ENTRIES Ritasun is set to have his 2nd hurdles start at Stratford on Tuesday.  He ran a blinder on debut at Fakenham, where he jumped and travelled well and was very unlucky not to win.  He has come on for that run and should be very competitive once again.  The sharp track should suit him and we look forward to getting him out again. Charlie Papa Lima has a speculative entry at Worcester on Wednesday, just to give us the option of running him before the handicapper reassesses him.  He has had a few quick races back to back though, so we are likely to wait for something later in July.  He’s come out of his race well. EXCITING PROSPECT FOR SALE - EYESOPENWIDEAWAKE 6yo gelding by Stowaway who started his career in Ireland before winning one of his 2 starts in English point to points.  He is a free going, scopey horse, who jumps very well and seems highly suited to the routine at the yard.  He is out of a Nashwan mare and showed the speed for 2m when winning his maiden at Southwell on Monday, but should improve as he steps up in distance.  He is well up to winning more hurdles races, before improving again for a fence.  He hasn't been with us long and there is a lot more to come from him.  The current owner is asking £20k for him.  Any interested individuals please get in touch either direct to Harry - 07734388357 / harry@harrywhittington.co.uk or the Office - 01235 751869 / info@harrywhittington.co.uk Until next time...