INDIAN SUMMER

28-09-2018

THIS WEEK Summer has been extended this week at Hill Barn with glorious sunshine across the Valley of Lambourn.  Things have picked up a pace with a few more runners and as we turn the corner into October, there's lots in store.  It's a really exciting time of year and we can't wait to get racing...         REPORTS Perfect Myth ran a promising race to finish 8th on flat debut at Leicester on Monday.  She was slow away but soon found her stride, taking a handy position under jockey Ed Greatrex.  She travelled well for much of the contest, before picking up for pressure as they passed inside the last 3 furlongs.   She got tired inside the final furlong, which she was entitled to do on her first start for a while.  This looked a competitive novice race and she finished in amongst 120 rated hurdlers.  This was a likeable debut and something for her to build on. Brandy James finished 2nd on his latest hurdle start at Perth on Wednesday.  He set off in the lead under Harry Bannister in an attempt to make use of his stamina.  He jumped very well throughout, but from an early stage he was hanging to his left and not enjoying the sharp right handed track.  He still lead the field turning into the home straight, but hung off the bend over to the far rail.  This gave Ghost Serge an opportunity to nip up the inner and he took it.  Once Brandy got to the rail, he stuck to his task well to finish 2nd.  He’s shown a fair bit of ability on both hurdles starts and we will head back to a left handed track with him next time.  He is still an inexperienced horse who will develop with time and experience. ENTRIES Salto Chisco is set to have his next start of the season at Worcester today.  He switches back to fences and faces just the 6 rivals.  He’s been consistent all summer without getting his head in front and this looks his best opportunity yet.  He’s in good form and being a year older we hope this more galloping track will suit him better than the tracks he has been running at.  Hopefully he will be right in the shake up. Boychick is set to have his next hurdles start at Worcester today.  He’s been consistent since his switch to hurdles without getting his head in front.  He’s had a wind op since his last start and this should tell us where we are with him. The Go Tou Man is set to have his first start of the season at Newton Abbot on Monday.  He showed some decent form in bumpers and novice hurdles, under various conditions last season but is yet to win.  He has been given an opening mark of 115 which could be a bit high for what he’s achieved across the board so far, but on the form he showed at Huntingdon he is more than capable of being competitive off this rating.  He steps up in trip here and that should really suit him.  He’s a young, unexposed horse, who should have plenty of progression in him this season. Johnny Rocco has a few bumper entries over the next couple of weeks and the first of those is at Sedgefield on Tuesday.  He showed plenty of promise on debut at Fontwell in May, despite running very green.  He’s developed physically and mentally for his summer break and if he can take that to the track he will produce an improved performance. Vinnie Lewis is set to switch back to hurdles for the first part of the season and his first entry is at Southwell on Tuesday.  He improved significantly for a fence last season and produced a cracking performance to win the Sussex National at Plumpton in January.  Now rated 136 over fences, he is still capable of being very competitive off that rating in chases, but he is still a novice over hurdles and this avenue is too tempting not to exploit.  He’s in fantastic form after a long break, he has strengthened again and we can’t wait to see him on a racecourse this season.  His best form is on soft ground, but he does handle better ground too. Rouge Vif holds entries at Southwell, Huntingdon, Warwick and Stratford in the coming week where he is set to make his hurdles debut.  He was showing plenty of ability prior to his racecourse debut at Ludlow in March and delivered on the promise to win his bumper in impressive fashion.  He’s a big, strong horse, with plenty of pace, his schooling has gone well and he’s a very exciting prospect for novice hurdles this year.  He’s very much a 2 miler at this stage. Simply the Betts holds similar entries to Rouge Vif where he is set to have his second start of the campaign in the coming days.  He has had a good summer break since winning his maiden hurdle in impressive fashion at Warwick in May, where he appreciated the good ground.  Rated 130, he looks capable of winning a novice hurdle under a penalty, before stepping up in class.  He has some good form and there’s plenty more to come from him this season.   BETDAQ BRAND AMBASSADOR With the season proper on the horizon we have some more exciting news to report. We have recently signed a deal with Betdaq as Brand Ambassador.  It's an excellent opportunity and we are delighted to be working with them.   HWR HORSES IN TRAINING BROCHURES OUT NOW! That's right, hot off the press - our horses in training brochures for 2018-19 are available now! Filled with reviews, stunning pictures and most importantly all the latest info on each of our horses in the yard and their plans for the season ahead... All yours for just £5.99+P&P Get in touch now to order your copy;  info@harrywhittington.co.uk / 01235 751869   THE HARRY WHITTINGTON RACING CLUB 2018-19 A FEW SHARES STILL REMAINING...     Until next week...