WINTER IS HERE…

02-12-2016

THIS WEEK The first proper frost settled across the Lambourn Valley throughout the majority of this week but we're pleased to say the activity at the yard has kept us plenty warm enough! With the structure for the new barn now firmly in place and the roof to follow in the next few days, the expansion of HWR is in full swing... REPORTS Fou et Sage finished 7th at Newbury on Saturday.  He made a mistake early on and that put him on the backfoot, in a very truly run contest.  Aidan Coleman did get him into contention turning into the straight but that early mistake took its toll.  He has been on the go for a long time, so he will now go for a break and return in the spring. Salto Chisco finished 4th at Southwell on Monday on his first try over 2m4f.  He jumped off in 2nd under Gavin Sheehan and travelled nicely through the first part of the race.  As the field came past the stands for the 2nd time, the leader Crickel Wood jumped across Salto and he made a bad mistake.  That seemed to knock his confidence and his jumping became untidy for the rest of the contest.  He wasn’t able to go with the leaders turning for home, eventually coming home in 4th.  He actually lost a shoe and cut his foot during the race, which explains why he lost his jumping confidence.  He is a good ground horse and will also go for a break now, before returning in the spring. Jack Bear finished 5th on the same card at Southwell.  The field went a far stronger pace than they did at Plumpton the last day and that put his jumping under more pressure.  Gavin gave him a good ride and let him sit just off the pace, but a few mistakes meant he wasn’t able to quicken with the leaders turning for home.  The field ended up very strung out and Jack will have learnt a lot from the outing.  He is likely to have one more run before a winter break. Star Tackle finished 5th at Ffos Las on Wednesday.  We switched tactics, taking a lead rather than making the running and he seemed to enjoy it.  He travelled well and jumped better than he did at Chepstow.  They only went steady in front and when they quickened coming to 3 out he was caught a bit flat footed.  He did pick up and got into contention 2 out but could only plug on.  It was a step in the right direction and he should continue to improve from here. Passing du Moulin finished a disappointing 7th at the same meeting.  He took a step in the right direction at Chepstow last time out, but went the wrong way here.  He was keen for the first 3 furlongs but as soon as he came under pressure he stopped going forward.  Jockey Harry Teal tried to keep him in contention but it didn’t happen.  He will get checked over, but it was a very disappointing effort. Regal Gait finished an excellent 2nd on hurdling debut at Market Rasen yesterday.  He jumped off in a handy position under Gavin and jumped very well in the main.  He is a laid back character and was slightly on and off the bridle throughout, but as the pace lifted he picked off almost all of his rivals other than the impressive winner Linger.  He can only improve from here and is developing into a nice dual purpose horse. Sunday Royal showed no ill effects of getting blindsided at Plumpton, with an excellent 3rd at Leicester yesterday.  He jumped and travelled really well, just finding Moscato and London Prize too good.  It was a truly run, competitive race and a run to build on.  He is a horse with a cracking attitude and should stay further in time. Ahraam finished 3rd on his switch back to the flat at Chelmsford last night.  He broke well and raced in a handy position under jockey Luke Morris.  When the race started to develop Luke asked Ahraam to pick up and he did swinging into the straight with every chance.  He stayed on well down the outside but found a couple of rivals too good on the day.  It was another cracking run from him. ENTRIES Limonata has been declared to face 11 rivals at Wolverhampton this evening.  She was interfered with on handicap debut and was still only beaten just over 2 lengths, so should be competitive off her current mark.  She has been in good form since joining the yard and granted some luck from draw 9 she should run well. Charlemar has been declared to face 5 rivals at Aintree tomorrow.  He did well to win off a slow pace that day and has come on for the run at home.  He does carry a penalty against a potentially smart rival which will make things tough, but he should run very well. Wychwoods Brook is set to make his first start for the yard at Kelso on Sunday.  He won the Peter Marsh Chase back in 2014 and contests the last Veterans Series Qualifier, with an aim to running in the final at Sandown in January.  He is a horse who relishes deep ground. Fourovakind held entries at Sandown and Chepstow this week but will have to wait for Lingfield in a week’s time because the ground is too quick for him.  The Devon National winner has come back into training in cracking form. Flower Ball holds multiple entries over the next couple of weeks and the first of those is at Leicester on Wednesday.  He ran a big race at Chepstow last time out before his wind stopped him, so he has had an operation to correct the issue.  He is in good form at home and we are looking forward to seeing him out again. Blandfords Gunner is entered at Ludlow on Monday but also has the option of going to Taunton later in the week.  He ran well for a long way at Wetherby on stable debut, travelling well before getting tired.  The step back in trip on a sounder surface should be in his favour. Ruby Yeats is entered at Uttoxeter on Tuesday to have her first start for the yard.  She hasn’t shown any form under rules or in point to points but she’s done everything that’s been asked of her at home.  It will be nice to see her out on the track and learn some more about her. Until next week...