NICE TO GET A WINNER AT 40-1!
16-12-2016
THIS WEEK As we soar closer to Christmas, which is always a busy period in the National Hunt calendar, we're pleased to say each of our runners in the past week has ended up in the placings with the highlight being a fabulous win (at 40-1 !) for Ruby Yeats on her debut for the yard on Sunday. Meanwhile the new barn has most of the roof on and is really taking shape... REPORTS Emerging Force ran a race full of promise to finish 4th at Cheltenham last Friday. He made the running on the day but was pressed from a very early stage by the Rebecca Curtis trained Relentless Dreamer. He jumped very well in the main, especially for a novice first time around Cheltenham, and came to the top of the hill with every chance. He was off the bridle coming to 3 out and found lots for pressure, serving it up to the eventual winner Singlefarmpayment. Force was headed at 2 out by the winner and was then caught in the run in by 2 more rivals, eventually finishing 4th. It was a decent run but he wasn’t quite at his best. He will now head for a mid winter break before coming back in the spring. Fourovakind ran a blinder to finish 4th on his return at Lingfield on Saturday. He travelled very well through the contest and put in an excellent round of jumping under jockey James Nixon. He did get outpaced going up the hill for the final time, but stuck on well for pressure almost grabbing 3rd on the line. The ground would have been quicker than ideal on the day and the trip was also on the short side, which makes the run even more encouraging. He has come out of the race in great form and will be aimed at something over the festive period next. Another tilt at the Devon National could be the long term plan. Tutchec ran an improved race to finish 5th at Southwell on Sunday. He enjoyed the step up in trip and travelled better than he did at Towcester, if they had gone quicker in front he’d have been right in the shakeup. He seems to be gaining confidence with every run and granted a good gallop he shouldn’t be far away. He will go hunting before his next run, which he will really enjoy. Ruby Yeats produced an excellent performance to win on debut for the yard at Southwell on Sunday. She jumped off in a handy position under Gavin and the leaders went a strong gallop from the outset, which played into our hands. She ran in snatches throughout the race and looked booked for 3rd place turning out of the back straight, but Gavin never gave up on her. He switched her to the rail in the home straight and she picked up really well. Coming to the last in 2nd, she picked up again and managed to get up in the dying strides. She is a big mare who should only improve from here and one to look forward to. Astrapaios showed a cracking attitude and a big engine to finish 3rd on his first start under rules at Ffos Las on Monday. Gavin jumped him off upsides in front and he travelled through the race well, despite showing signs of greenness. They went a good gallop all the way on the testing surface and as the race developed in the straight, Astra just kept finding more and more for pressure. 2 rivals loomed up inside the last furlong and just got the better of him in the closing stages. This was a hugely promising debut from a horse who possesses an excellent attitude and loves soft ground. He should come on well for the experience and we can’t wait to see him out again. ENTRIES Limonata has been declared to face 8 rivals at Lingfield tomorrow afternoon. She ran well on debut for the yard at Wolverhampton, going down by just a length to the winner, and is ready to run again. She ran in snatches that day, so will wear cheek pieces in an attempt to help her travel better. She races off the same mark as the last day, so if the headgear does the trick she shouldn’t be far away. Flower Ball is set to have his next start at Fakenham on Sunday. The plan had been to run earlier in the week but he was balloted out of both races, so had to switch to here. He is in good form after his wind op and is ready to get going again. He is a good moving horse who wouldn’t want the ground too testing, but that shouldn’t be an issue here. Vinnie Lewis is entered at Hereford on Monday and Ffos Las on Wednesday, with the former looking the more likely engagement. He has run well on both starts for the yard and goes into the race in good form. It looks a competitive race on paper, but he should do himself justice. He is likely to step up in trip after this. Sunday Royal is entered in multiple races over the next week, with the first of those being at Taunton on Tuesday. He ran very well at Leicester last time, after an unfortunate incident at Plumpton the first day. He was none the worse for that and we look forward to seeing him out again. Blandfords Gunner holds entries at Ludlow on Wednesday and Wincanton on Boxing Day. He ran well on his last start at Wetherby before getting tired, and has come on for the run. He favours a sound surface and that is likely to dictate where he runs. Zephyros Bleu is set to have his 2nd chase start at Ffos Las on Wednesday. He shaped well for a long way at the same track the last day and is another who has improved for the run. The step up in trip on soft ground is what he wants and he should produce an improved performance. Until next week...