TALENT SCOUTING

15-06-2018

THIS WEEK The summer has been rolling on here at Hill Barn with the majority of the horses now out enjoying the lush grass on their well earned holidays.  Meanwhile during what is also known at this time as the 'transfer window', Harry and Adam have been busy out and about at all the sales across England and Ireland seeking new talent.  So there are now plenty of new faces, as well of course as more familiar ones looking over the doors at Hill Barn which we can start dreaming about for the season ahead...     REPORTS Guiding Stars finished 7th on hurdles debut at Fakenham on the 10th June.  He set off in the lead under Gavin Sheehan, but never really got into a jumping rhythm.  He travelled well between the obstacles, but his careful jumping cost him lengths every time he left the ground.  Fakenham is a quick track and the pace lifted going onto the final circuit.  Guiding Stars couldn’t go with the leaders, made a bad mistake at 3 out and could only come home in 7th.  This was a disappointing run after his step forward at Market Rasen previously. Salto Chisco produced a solid performance to finish 3rd on his return from a winter break, at Newton Abbot on the 4th June.  He was dropped in in usual fashion under Harry Bannister and jumped very well throughout.  Salto travelled well on ground that was far softer than ideal and looked to be a major player coming to 4 out.  He couldn’t go with the leaders turning in and got quite tired, eventually finishing 3rd.  This was a cracking reappearance and he should be able to build on this when encountering his preferred ground. Hoke Colburn finished 7th on his first chase start at Bangor on the 5th June.  He jumped off in a handy position and they went very quick from flag fall.  Hoke made a bad mistake at the second and this meant he got shuffled back.  The strong gallop continued, and his jumping was then put under pressure.  He came off the bridle quite early on, but to his credit he stuck to the task.  His jumping improved on the final circuit and he plugged on to finish 7th.  He ran with credit here in a strongly run race and should be sharper next time. Perfect Myth finished down the field on her 4th bumper start at Southwell on the 5th June.  She settled nicely in the first pair and travelled well throughout.  The race was a competitive affair and it was run at a good gallop.  They really got racing early and she looked to have every chance turning into the straight, but weakened from 2 furlongs out.  She has produced some good performances in her bumper races and will now look to the flat. Boychick produced a solid performance to finish 4th on hurdles debut at Stratford last Saturday.  His jumping was tidy and he travelled well throughout the race. He was in the frame turning in and stuck to his task well to come home in 4th.  This was a decent debut effort over obstacles. ENTRIES New recruit; Viognier holds her first entry for the yard at Uttoxeter on Wednesday.  She is a 6yo mare by Black Sam Bellamy, who had bits and pieces of form last season without getting her head in front.  She’s currently rated 98, has shown a liking for good ground and she’s in good order at home.  We are looking forward to getting her out and seeing where we are with her. Charlie Papa Lima will hold multiple entries over the next couple of weeks and the first of those is at Ffos Las on Thursday.  He has been given time since Huntingdon and he’s in good form at home.  Charlie’s run at Taunton makes him look a well treated horse and if he can get back to that level, he should be very competitive once again.  If he misses Ffos Las he is likely to go to Newton Abbot next Tuesday.       Until next week...