MOVING INTO FIRST GEAR

The nights are drawing in and the clocks are set to change this weekend.  The rain has been falling and we've been sending more runners out to the track this week.  We had a welcome winner over at Ffos Las yesterday in the form of new recruit this summer - Faire Part Sivola.  Delighted to get one on the board for these new connections and hopefully we can continue to build on this success as a team. We'll keep kicking!

We were absolutely thrilled with Faire Part Sivola's debut success for the yard at Ffos Las yesterday.  We've done a lot of schooling work with this horse since he joined us this summer and he's had his wind tinkered with, so it's a great thrill to see all the hard work pay off.  The drop back in trip was a bit of a gamble but, given the attritional nature of conditions by race time, that stamina for further was very much an asset.  Daryl got the horse into a lovely rhythm, his jumping was nice and slick in the main and he could hardly have travelled any stronger.  This 6-year-old loves a flat, galloping track so Ffos Las suits him well and there is no reason why this can't be the springboard to bigger and better things.  He's a horse with a lot of talent.

Conditions at Ffos Las were pretty grim yesterday afternoon, however in the circumstances, we were very encouraged by The Guvnor's hurdling debut.  He moved really nicely into contention, jumping fluently in the process, before weakening on ground that would have been much more testing than he ideally wants.  He stayed on well, so stamina for two miles over hurdles is no issue and he should be able to see out his race much better on some nicer ground.  There are hopefully races to be won with this son of Frankel over hurdles.

Docpickedme headed over the bridge to Chepstow on Tuesday for his first start over fences.  We were very encouraged by this start over the bigger obstacles where he finished 3rd amongst a competitive field.  Patiently ridden by Daryl Jacob, the former Irish point winner stuck to his task well in the straight, having jumped proficiently throughout.  This young, scopey horse stays well and he should be seen to much better effect under slower conditions as we head into the winter.  He's a proper staying chaser in the making.

Raffles Gitane holds an entry at Hereford on Monday, where she is likely to take her chance on her second start over fences.  We were relatively pleased with her chasing debut given the circumstances and fully expect her to build on that.  She will appreciate the return to a right-handed track and she has been successful at this venue before, but we’ll keep an eye on the weather because we could do with some rain for her, ideally.

Breaking Waves continues to perform with great credit and we hope that will continue at Plumpton on Monday where the 7-year-old holds an entry in what promises to be quite a competitive 0-140 handicap hurdle.  There is some rain forecast down in East Sussex but we know that Breaking Waves is versatile regarding conditions and this is his trip.

Sheila Nash has the option of going to Huntingdon on Sunday or Plumpton the following day.  We know she goes well right-handed so Huntingdon would suit her.  She was a bit novicey in the jumping department at Sedgefield but she’s schooled nicely since and we are hopeful that she can take a nice step forward from that first run of the season.  She also has the option to go to Ludlow on Thursday.

We have a good looking 3yo son of Champs Elysees on sale currently, either as a whole or in a 6 share partnership.  He is out of a black type Mare (Romantic Fashion) and having been purchased earlier in the summer he has been broken in and ridden away here at Hill Barn Stables. He is a strong, good moving type that carries himself very well and stands at about 16:2. He is clean of his wind and has a very likeable attitude. Please get in touch for further details or to arrange a viewing: info@harrywhittington.co.uk

Until next week...