Start as we mean to go on…
07-10-2016
THIS WEEK Things are really gathering a pace here are Hill Barn and having sent out our first batch of autumn runners of which one in three has returned victorious, with each of the others finishing within the placings, we can feel the winter breeze floating in... REPORTS Affaire D’Honneur got the winter season off to the best possible start, with a comfortable 8 length win at Fontwell on Saturday. He sat 2nd for most of the race under jockey Gavin Sheehan, moved into the contest nicely turning for home before asserting up the run in. It was a workmanlike performance from Affaire, but he’s a very laid back character and tends to just do enough. It was great to get his head in front for connections and he will go on from here. A bigger field and a stronger pace will see him in his best light. He will be aimed at another novice hurdle under a penalty before switching back to handicaps or stepping up in class. Salto Chisco finished 3rd on yard debut at Huntingdon on Sunday. He raced in a handy position and got into a decent rhythm early on, but as the leader Presenting Lisa increased the pace down the back straight it put Salto under pressure. He got tight to a couple of obstacles, lost some ground and struggled to get back on terms with her. He stuck on very well though, eventually finishing 3rd. It was a nice debut run and he should improve going forward. We will wait to see what the handicapper does before making a plan. Salto has lots of options and The British Racing Club should have a lot of fun with him this season. Ahraam finished 4th at Ludlow yesterday. He made the running under jockey Gavin Sheehan and jumped well on the whole, setting no more than an even gallop. The race developed swinging into the straight and Ahraam was headed at the 2nd last, but to his credit he stuck on under pressure to finish a close 4th. He has been very consistent since joining HWR but keeps running well without getting his head in front, hopefully a win is just around the corner. ENTRIES Emerging Force is set to have his first start over fences at Hereford today. He has strengthened for his summer break and his schooling has been excellent. This race is short of his best trip, but it's a nice starting point for him and if he can get into a good rhythm he should run well. Gavin Sheehan has done all the schooling and takes the ride. He will improve as he steps up in trip throughout the season. The yards' other runner at Hereford today is Octagon, who is having his first start for The Harry Whittington Racing Club. He has shown a lot of speed at home, so we are starting him off at the minimum trip. His schooling has been good and we can't wait to learn some more about him. He has shown a liking for soft ground in the past but he's such a good moving horse that we wanted to give him a chance on some better ground. Gavin Sheehan rides. Jack Bear is entered at York on Saturday and Salisbury on Monday for his return to the flat. On his last flat run at Nottingham he didn't handle the good to firm ground, so with the forecast looking dry he may well have to miss York in favour of Salisbury. He goes into the race in good form and a mark of 79 still looks workable. Hopefully he can get back on the winning trail. Hoke Colburn will be entered in multiple races over the next 10 days, the first of those is at Carlisle over 2m 1f on Thursday. He has jumped well at home and has an excellent attitude so switching to hurdles should really suit him. He is another who will improve as he steps up in trip. Until next week...