TEMPERATURES RISING

27-07-2018

THIS WEEK While the temperatures have continued to reach new highs over the past few weeks we've been kicking on and trying to stay cool.  The routine has picked up a pace with plenty of road work and a number of the winter string now starting to step up to a hack canter.  And the most important news to report is that the moment we've all been waiting for arrived earlier this week as we reopened our amazing new gallop, now with a top of the range Martin Collins all-weather surface.  And with further developments around the corner before the season kicks off we've got plenty to get excited about... REPORTS Salto Chisco ran a blinder to finish 2nd at Stratford last Sunday.  It was only a 4 runner affair but there as a very strong pace from flag fall.  Salto was rushed off his feet early, but his sound jumping kept him in touch in the early part of the race.  Harry asked Salto to close after jumping 3 out and he found plenty of pressure to get into the heels of the front pair leaving the side.  One for Billy nicked 3 lengths turning in and Salto couldn’t get on terms with him, but battled well to take second in the shadow of the post.  This was right up there with his best performances and he should be getting his head in front again in the near future. Viognier produced an improved performance to finish 5th at Worcester yesterday. There was a very strong pace throughout the contest and she traveled nicely just behind the leaders in the early stages. Her jumping was a bit careful at times and that put her on the back foot when the pace lifted going down the far side. She was couldn't go with the leaders turning in, but stuck to her task well to come home in 5th. She may appreciate a further step up in trip going forward. ENTRIES Boychick is set to have his 3rd hurdles start in the coming days and his first in a handicap.  He holds multiple entries and the first of them is at Newton Abbot on Monday. He’s run two solid races over hurdles so far and this run should tell us where we are with him. Salto Chisco holds chase entries at Perth and Bangor next week and a hurdle entry at Newton Abbot the following Monday.  He has come out of the Stratford race in great order, he’s been dropped 1lb to a mark of 116 and should be be very competitive wherever he goes.  Hopefully he can add to his win tally very soon.   SHARES IN THE HARRY WHITTINGTON RACING CLUB 2018-19 ARE NOW AVAILABLE...   THIS SEASONS' CLUB PROSPECTS... HATTIE HOPKINSON Bought for £14k at the Horses In Training at Goffs at the end of May.  She is a lovely scopey, athletic filly with a very good pedigree and a cracking name.  She is a half Sister to Welsh National winner Monbeg Dude and there is black type all through the page.  Her Sire Jeremy boasts one of the best strike rates of winners to runners and was also the Sire of Our Connor.  She ran in 2 English point to points the Spring finishing placed 2nd and 4th.  She is a filly that will strengthen up plenty for a break this Summer and has the potential to make up into a smart filly in novice hurdles.  She will most likely start off in a bumper at the beginning of October. ECLAT DES BIEFFES Bought for £5k privately in Ireland is a 4 yo Gelding who has ran twice in two point to points where he jumped well, showed lots of speed and wasn't staying the 3 miles.  He has a good pedigree with lots of flat winners in the page.  Therefore the plan would be to drop him back into a 2 mile bumper in late September followed by a Winter of 2 mile novice hurdling.  He is a sharp, good looking athletic type by Enrique who is the Sire of Binocular.   Until next week...