AUGUST SHOWERS

25-08-2017

THIS WEEK The tropical summer has continued at Hill Barn mainly with daily mist and thick fog over the hill followed by heavy down pours of rain (!), but that hasn't stopped our pre-season routine.  And with September just around the corner it won't be long until we'll be busy again with runners so we can't wait to get started! REPORTS Charlie Papa Lima ran another solid race to finish 4th at Market Rasen on Sunday.  We wanted to make the running, but the pace was so strong that he had to take a lead.  This was easily the quickest Charlie has been, but despite that he produced his best display of jumping to date.  He was flat out leaving the back straight and wasn’t able to quicken as well as the leading pair, eventually sticking on for 4th.  This was a pleasing display over a trip that was short of his best and 3 miles looks on the cards next time out. ENTRIES Ritasun is set to have his next start for the yard at Goodwood on Sunday.  He has been consistent for us over hurdles and has now qualified for a handicap mark, but there aren’t too many options at this time of year.  So back on the flat in this handicap for older horses, looks a nice opportunity for him.  9f will suit as will the drying ground, so hopefully he will be very competitive.  He does have other options next week but this looks the most suitable at this stage. Salto Chisco is set to have his next hurdles start at Newton Abbot on Tuesday.  He has been freshened up since his Ffos Las run, where he found the ground too tacky.  The forecast good ground should suit, along with the speedy nature of the track.  We know he can be very competitive off this mark and granted some luck in running he should be in the shake-up. The Harry Whittington Racing Club's Tangoed is set to have her second start in a bumper at the same venue on Tuesday.  She ran a race full of promise on debut at Southwell, where she travelled well before showing signs of greenness under pressure.  She has improved for the experience and looks to have a solid chance, in what looks an open race.  The Southwell form has been boosted with Runasimi River winning on Sunday. Jack Bear holds an entry back on the flat at Chelmsford on Thursday.  He returns from a break in good form and should enjoy a switch back to the flat.  He has won on the all-weather before, goes well fresh and can be competitive off his current mark of 77.  If the Chelmsford race doesn’t look suitable, there is a handicap for him a few days later at Kempton.  Hopefully he can produce a good performance before returning to hurdles on an attractive mark. Until next time, we hope you all have a lovely bank holiday weekend...