HOT TRAINER

18-05-2018

THIS WEEK It's safe to say we have started as we mean to go on with a fantastic first week of runners for the new season last week landing 2 victories from 4 starts.  So while the sun has been shining, the horses have been running well and we're kicking on.  Meanwhile the horses that are now out at grass are getting their heads down and enjoying the time out whilst dreaming of their adventures to come... REPORTS Simply The Betts got the new season off to the best possible start with a smooth success at Warwick last Monday.  He travelled well in second position throughout the contest, before quickening nicely to win in impressive fashion.  He will now go on his summer break, before returning in the autumn.  He has an exciting season ahead. Perfect Myth finished 4th on her third bumper start at Ludlow Tuesday.  We changed tactics and she made the running under jockey Stan Sheppard.  She was able to dictate a steady gallop and settled better on the pace.  The field got racing from the top of the straight and she picked up nicely.  She looked to have every chance at the 2 furlong pole, bust couldn’t sustain her run and eventually finished 4th.  She is proving to be a very consistent mare and is progressing with every start. Johnny Rocco finished 5th on his racecourse debut at Fontwell last Wednesday.  There wasn’t much pace so Johnny was given a positive ride from Harry Bannister.  He travelled well, without doing too much and handled the decent ground well.  They didn’t really get racing till they went down the far side for the final time and turning in he was going as well as anything.  Johnny then showed his lack of experience by jumping off the all weather and then hurdling the path that runs across the track.  He became unbalanced and lost ground at a vital time, but did stay on all the way to the line to finish 5th.  He wasn't beaten far and will have learnt lots from the experience. Djin Conti got his head in front for the first time at Wincanton last Thursday.  He sat in a handy position under Daryl Jacob and jumped extremely well throughout.  He jumped to the lead at the 5th last, cruised into the home straight and knuckled down well to win by just under a length.  This was a likeable performance and he can only improve from here.  He’s from the family of Silviniaco Conti and should therefore stay further in time. Tangoed finished 9th at Southwell on Tuesday.   We tried to be more positive on her on this occasion but she was very slow over the first hurdle and this put her on the back foot.  She jumped well in the main and did turn for home on terms, but her run flattened out and she plugged on for 9th.  She now heads to Doncaster sales next week. Hoke Colburn finished 7th on his return to Southwell on Tuesday.  He was another who was ridden more positively and he seemed to enjoy it.  He jumped very well in the main and went through the race better than he did at Huntingdon last time.  He came off the bridle turning out of the back straight but was still in the shake up coming to 2 out, but his run flattened out from there.  He will probably step back to 2 and a half miles next time and also has the option of going over fences too. ENTRIES Cold March is set to have his next start at Aintree this evening.  He ran a big race off the back of his wind op at the Punchestown festival, particularly as he got out of his ground early on.  This is the easiest race he’s run in for a little while and he’s in good form at home.  The track and ground should really suit him. Charlie Papa Lima holds entries at Huntingdon and Southwell next week.  He ran a blinder to finish second on chase debut at Taunton last month and the form of the race is working out well.  He remains in cracking form at home and he is entitled to improve again. Genius is a 4yo son of Beat Hollow who is set to make his racecourse debut in the next couple of weeks.  He is a powerful individual, with a big stride and we can’t wait to get him out and learn more about him. Salto Chisco missed his Southwell reappearance with a very minor setback and will have multiple entries over the next couple of weeks.  He won three races last season and we can’t wait to get him going again.  He’s still quite lightly raced for his age. Spirit of Rome is set to have her next start at Fontwell next Sunday.  She was a little keen at Huntingdon off a mini break, but still ran a big race.  She will continue to be competitive off he rating and if she settled better she could take another step forward. Until next week...