HAPPY DAYS AT HEREFORD…

14-10-2016

THIS WEEK Things have got off to a good start in the past week with impressive runs from both Emerging Force and the racing clubs' Octagon, who both finished up in the winners enclosure at the newly re-opened Hereford Racecourse on Thursday.  And with a few more new recruits arriving at Hill Barn, not only horses but also new members of staff, we're ready for lift off.. REPORTS Emerging Force got his chase career off to the best possible start, with an emphatic 14 length win at Hereford on Thursday.  He raced in a handy position under jockey Gavin Sheehan and jumped superbly from the outset.  When the wayward front runner Indian Rupee relinquished the lead, heading out on the final circuit the Force took up the running.  Gavin wound the pace up going down the back straight and only the Paul Nicholls trained Rainy City was able to go with him.  Force was quicker away from the 2nd last than his rival, stayed on powerfully, winged the last and won going away.  It was a very exciting performance, especially as he was able to produce it over a trip short of his best.  He will step up to 3 miles for his next run and is an extremely exciting prospect going forward. Octagon finished a good 2nd on debut for The Harry Whittington Racing Club on the same card at Hereford last Thursday.  He made the running under Gavin Sheehan and jumped very well on the whole, taking lengths out of his opposition at most obstacles.  The field closed in on him down the back straight and turning for home he looked like he might be swallowed up, but when Gavin asked he picked up well for him.  He turned into the straight in the lead with just the Dai Burchell trained Furiously Fast emerging as a danger.  He headed Octagon coming to the last and jumped across him halting his momentum, but Octagon rallied and was closing all the way to the line to go down by just over a length.  It was a cracking debut and we may now turn our attention to chasing with him.  He has already schooled over fences and is a natural. Jack Bear finished down the field on his return to the flat at Salisbury on Monday.  It was a tape start and Jack was a little slow away under apprentice Rob Hornby, finding himself further back in the field than ideal.  He travelled well for much of the contest but as the race developed the step up in class proved too much for him.  Dropped back in class he should be very competitive off of his current mark. ENTRIES We are set to have 2 runners at Market Rasen on Saturday.  The first of those is Hoke Colburn, who is set to make his hurdling debut in a 2-mile maiden.  He ran very well on debut in a race that’s worked out well, before winning at Southwell on his next start in impressive fashion.  Hoke’s pedigree is full of stamina so he will end up stepping up in trip in time but 2 miles shouldn’t be a problem for him here.  His schooling has gone well and we can’t wait to see him run. Gavin Sheehan rides. The other runner at the meeting is Pink Play, who will make her handicap debut in a 2 ½ mile mares handicap hurdle.  She won her final 2 starts last season over 2 miles and is now ready to step up in trip for her first handicap.  She has strengthened for her summer break and should be fairly treated off a mark of 119.  She is a mare with an outstanding attitude who should progress as the season goes on.  Gavin again rides. Katarrhini is set to go chasing this season and her first entry is at Plumpton on Monday over the minimum trip.  Her schooling has gone well but this race may just come slightly too soon for her.  She will have more options in the coming weeks. Star Tackle is entered for his hurdling debut at Exeter on Tuesday.  He's a big scopey horse whose future lies over fences, but he will stick to hurdles for this season.  He has been working nicely and showing some speed at home, so we are going to start him off over 2 miles on a galloping track.  Unfortunately, the ground is very quick at Exeter currently so unless we get some significant ease in the ground he will have to wait.  He is another exciting new recruit. Guiding Stars is also entered at Exeter on Tuesday, in the junior bumper that ends the card.  He was purchased from the Goffs Land Rover sale in June and has been very quick to come to hand.  He has shown an excellent temperament to date and he isn’t short of speed, so this extended mile and a half shouldn’t be an issue for him.  He's another nice prospect for the yard and one who also won’t be risked if the ground doesn’t ease significantly. Fontwell winner Affaire D’Honneur holds an entry back at the same track on Wednesday.  He has come out of that race well and is ready to try and defy a penalty in another novice hurdle.  If this race comes too soon for him he holds another couple of entries the following week.  He is very versatile when it comes to trip and ground. Regal Gait is entered to make his debut for the yard at Ludlow on Thursday.  He hasn’t been with us long but has done everything that’s been asked of him so far.  He is a laid back character, his schooling has been excellent and the switch to hurdling should really suit him.  He showed he stayed a mile and a half on his last start on the flat, so 2 miles shouldn’t be an issue for him. Until next week...