SUMMER DAYS

02-06-2017

THIS WEEK It's been a quieter few weeks up at Hill Barn with just the one runner to report.  Meanwhile Harry has been busy in the sales ring bringing back 3 exciting new purchases so far.  So as we welcome the sunshine up over the hill the team have been hard at work painting, trimming and spring cleaning, ready for the return of the winter string in just a couple of weeks time. REPORTS Benefit of Luck produced a career best, to finish 3rd on handicap debut at Huntingdon last Tuesday.  He was dropped in to give him the best chance of getting the trip and he relaxed nicely from an early stage.  He did run in snatches at times, but when David Bass asked him to pick up down the back straight, he made stylish progress to latch onto the back of the leaders.  Ben turned into the straight with every chance, stayed on well but couldn’t pick up as well as The Happy Chappy, eventually losing out in a photo finish for 2nd.  It was another good run and he now has the option of switching to fences, which should suit. ENTRIES Pasaka Boy is set to have his 2nd hurdle start at Market Rasen later today.  He ran very well on debut at Kempton, where he settled nicely and jumped well in the main.  A mistake 3 out cost him finishing closer that day, but the experience has brought him on.  The speedy nature of the track should suit and granted a clear round and some luck in running, he should give the likely favourite and doubly penalised Azzuri something to think about. Ritasun is set to make his stable and hurdles debut at Fakenham on Sunday.  He reached a peak rating of 78 in 12 starts on the flat for Richard Hannon, but only raced up to 10f.  His work has been good and he has taken to jumping well, but the key will be to get him settled and give him the best chance of getting the trip.  Rita has shown a fair level of ability at home and we look forward to learning more about him on the track. Salto Chisco is set to make his next hurdles start at Perth on Sunday.  He overcame interference to win in gutsy fashion at Kempton last time out and looks to have more to offer, off just 3lbs higher.  The minimum distance seems to be his optimum and has really enjoyed the switch back to hurdles.  The race doesn’t look the strongest for the grade and Salto should have every chance of following up. Jack Bear is set to have his 2nd handicap start at Newton Abbot on Monday.  He shaped nicely on seasonal reappearance over the same course and distance, before getting tired from the home turn.  The form of that race has worked out very well, with the 2nd and 3rd winning since and the drop into a 0-105 should really suit.  Jack has improved physically and mentally for the run and is another who should be in the shake-up.  A step up in trip will suit him later in the season. Charlie Papa Lima has entries at Worcester on Saturday, 2 entries at Southwell on Tuesday and Uttoxeter on Wednesday.  He has been very consistent in 3 starts, but he’s yet to get his head in front.  The 2m trip and soft ground weren’t in his favour last time out, so a step up in trip on a sounder surface is what we will look for.  The 2m 4f NH Maiden looks the most suitable race at this stage, but nothing is set in stone.  Charlie is in excellent form at home and should be very competitive wherever he goes. Until next time...