ONWARDS AND UPWARDS INTO 2020
27-12-2019
THIS WEEK
Christmas Day may be over however the busiest period of jumps racing is very much upon us. With a great start yesterday for the 4 runners we sent out across the country, we're hoping the festive cheer is still in our favour as we send a few more out today and over the coming days. Plenty to get excited about as we round off what has been a fantastic year for the team.
Wishing everyone a magical New Year!
Onwards and upwards into 2020!!
REPORTS
BLACK ABBEY
New recruit, Black Abbey made his yard and hurdles debut at Fontwell yesterday in the Juvenile Maiden Hurdle over 2m 1f. He had been jumping really well at home and we were looking forward to getting him out on the track. He had won in France by making the running so we were keen to adopt the same tactics here. Bar the first couple he jumped really well for a novice and turning out the back he looked to have every chance. He chased the favourite up the home straight but didn’t manage to go by him, but ran with huge credit to finish second first time up. We will freshen him up now to run in similar conditions in around a months time.
SIMPLY THE BETTS
Simply the Betts finished second at Kempton yesterday in the 2m4f novices' handicap chase. He was stepping up in trip here for the first time in a competitive contest, there was a lot of pace on and they were all keen to get on with things. Unfortunately he got the second all wrong and consequently was on then on the back foot throughout the race, but his class just kept him in it. He was making good headway down the back but made another mistake which sadly cost him the race. He did however show huge guts to get back into it up the home straight and did extremely well to finish 2nd. He is still a novice so is learning all the time and we will look to run him again in around a months time.
CAPTAIN TOMMY
Captain Tommy also headed to Kempton yesterday to run in the class 3 2m5f handicap hurdle. He was wearing the blinkers for the first time having finished mid division last time out. He jumped and travelled better on this occasion and half way down the back looked to have every chance. As they quickened up around the turn in he was horribly outpaced and his chance had gone. He will now be freshened and have a break before coming back for novice chasing in the summer.
YOUNG BULL
Young Bull won at Wetherby yesterday in the Class 3 handicap hurdle over 2m5f. He was lining up here on his handicap debut around a winning course and distance. It was a competitive race on paper and once again he had to show improvement. He travelled the best he ever has this time and showed he had been learning with every experience. He had the race at his mercy up the home straight. Jumping the last he was giving a lot of weight to the useful rival that headed him but he found another gear up the run in and stayed on well to go and win by 1 ¾ lengths. He will be freshened up now before potentially having a go at a novice grade 2 at Haydock in February.
ENTRIES
ROUGE VIF
Rouge Vif will line up today in another grade 2 Novices' Chase over 2 miles at Kempton. He has had a little tweaking to his wind since his last run and will also have the hood off today. He ran a cracker here last year in a novice hurdle and the track suits him well. He has been in good form at home and will be ridden positively so hopefully he will run a big race.
BIGMARTRE
Bigmartre has also been declared for Kempton today in the 3 mile handicap chase. He is being stepped up in trip here for the first time, given he is getting s bit older and the sharp nature of the track we thought this would be a good opportunity to see if he gets the extra distance. He has been in good form at home and so hopefully he will improve for the step up in trip and run a big race.
DESIGNER DESTINY
Designer Destiny has been declared for tomorrow at Catterick in the mares novices hurdle over 2m. The sharp nature of the track should suit her as she has plenty of speed. She is a talented mare who we have thought a lot of and so hopefully it's third time lucky over hurdles.
STICK WITH BILL
Stick With Bill has been declared for Newbury tomorrow in the Grade 1 Challow hurdle over 2m4f. He has done nothing wrong so far in his career and won nicely last time out. He has very good form in his bumpers with King Roland and conditions should suit him. However it is a Grade 1 and so will be a tough race but he has been in good form so we are looking forward to seeing what he can do.
SHAFFIRE
Shaffire holds an entry on Monday at Lingfield on the all-weather in the 1m handicap. She is having her second start for the yard having run a cracker on debut to finish second. We feel the handicapper has been a bit harsh but hopefully she can take a step forward. She has been in good form at home and seems to have gained plenty of confidence from her last run and so hopefully she can improve again.
SHEILA NASH
Sheila Nash has an entry at Uttoxeter on Tuesday in the Mares bumper over 2 miles. She ran with promise on debut despite being very green. She would have learnt plenty for the experience. She is a tough mare that we have always felt has plenty of class so hopefully she can run a big race.
DARGIANNINI
Dargiannini holds an entry at Warwick on Tuesday in the 2m bumper.
He is a lovely stamp of a horse with a good pedigree, being a half brother to Keeper Hill. He has shown plenty of promise at home so hopefully he will transfer this to the racecourse. We are waiting for better ground and therefore he will only line up if the ground isn't too soft.
SAINT CALVADOS
Saint Calvados holds an entry at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase over 2m4f. He has been freshened up for this and lines up back in handicap company. He has been dropped a 1lb since his last run, making him only 3lb higher than when he won here in October. It will be a tough race with Klashnikov in the mix, but it also means we will not be carrying top weight. We have been very happy with him at home and he should get his conditions here.
IN OTHER NEWS...
