HURRY UP SPRING!

30-03-2018

THIS WEEK The Lambourn valley has remained pretty damp and drizzly for the past week having experienced continued high volumes of rain.  This has unfortunately thwarted plans for the local feature event of the year - The Lambourn Open Day which has had to be cancelled today, a great sadness for all involved and those who were keen to visit.  So with the rain still falling we will be battling on and looking forward to Spring arriving... REPORTS Cold March was pulled up on his return to fences at Newbury on Saturday.  He wore cheekpieces for the first time in the UK and they helped him travel early on.  His jumping was good in the main but when the pace lifted down the far side, he started to lose his position and his jumping started to suffer.  He found himself at the back of the pack turning in and was never able to get on terms, eventually pulling up.  Gavin felt his breathing was causing him a major issue, so he will have that corrected before his next start. Taras Day finished 13th in a competitive race at Huntingdon on Monday.  This was her 3rd hurdles start and she produced her best jumping display so far.  The ground was quicker than she raced on so to date and everything happened a bit quickly for her.  She was outpaced turning for home, but to her credit she tried all the way to the line.  She is eligible for handicaps now. Tangoed finished down the field on her handicap debut at Market Rasen on Monday.  She was given some room by Sean Bowen, but she ran in snatches throughout.  Her jumping was good in the main and when the field turned out on the final circuit she was still in contention.  She lost her position on the far side and could never land a blow, eventually finishing 12th.  Market Rasen is a unique track and we will switch to somewhere more conventional next time. Bridge of Cally finished 6th on handicap debut at Taunton on Monday.  He took a bump at the first hurdle and never really looked comfortable after that.  He stayed in contention till they turned for home but was outpaced and couldn’t land a blow.  They went quicker here than in his novice races and it may well have caught him out. Ruby Yeats shaped well before pulling up at Hereford on Tuesday.  She travelled sweetly on the front end for much of the contest and jumped well on her return to the smaller obstacles.  She was going as well as anything going to the 4th last, but stamina kicked in after 3 out and she was pulled up.  This was a step back in the right direction and a drop in trip should see her be very competitive next time. ENTRIES Charlie Papa Lima is entered at Plumpton on Sunday, but won’t run because of the soft ground.  He has schooled well in preparation for his chasing debut and when the ground dries out he will take his chance. He’s in cracking form at home. Perfect Myth holds a couple of bumper entries on Monday, but is likely to wait for another race later in April.  She is training well, but is another who would prefer a sounder surface.  Her form is solid and we look forward to seeing her run again. Tierra Verde is set to make her handicap debut at Warwick on Thursday.  She has progressed with every run over hurdles and impressed with the way she jumped and traveled against the boys at Taunton last time out.  This mares handicap looks very suitable for her and a mark of 100 looks very workable.  Her preparation has gone well and she should be very competitive. UPDATE ON THE HWR 5 TO FOLLOW COMPETITION So as the season draws on we thought we'd give you all a little update on our 5 to follow competition which runs until the end of April...     Until next week...