WE NEED THE WEATHER FOR DUCKS

05-10-2018

THIS WEEK At long last October is now under way and the National Hunt season is upon us, however like many of our fellow trainers we are at odds with the weather as this unusually dry spell continues.  Despite having a few runners and plenty of entries in the next few weeks plans to run are all a bit up in the air until the rain comes.  The horses are all in great order and are raring to go, so for now we'll be ticking them over and doing a rain dance...     REPORTS Salto Chisco finished a cracking 2nd at Worcester last Friday.  He was ridden with more restraint around this more galloping track and that suited him as they went a strong gallop.  He travelled reasonably throughout the contest and his jumping was good in the main.  The race started to take shape turning for home and the leaders came back to the field.  Salto made good ground to get onto the heels of long time leader King Alfonso coming to the second last, but he managed to find another gear and went away from him again.  Salto stuck to his task well to run down Dr Dunraven in the shadow of the post.  This was another cracking effort from the 10yo, who has been very consistent this season. Boychick finished 6th on his first start after a wind op at Worcester last Friday.  He was fresh and well after his mini break and this was the best he’s travelled and jumped so far in his short hurdles career.  He turned in looking to be a major player and he was still in the mix jumping 2 out, but weakened in the run in to finish 6th.  We will see what the handicapper does before making a plan. The Go Tou Man finished down the field on his seasonal reappearance at Newton Abbot on Monday.  He was ridden fairly prominently and took the eye with how well he went through the early part of the race.  His jumping was improved from last season but a mistake passing the stands for the final time really halted his momentum.  He lost his position quickly and was all but pulled up.  He came back with a fairly hefty bang which explains why he stopped quickly.  He will be given a bit of time before we look to run him again. Vinnie Lewis finished 3rd on his seasonal return at Southwell on Tuesday.  He is still a novice over hurdles and this small field was a nice place to get him started again.  The ground was quicker than his ideal, but he jumped well throughout the contest.  The pace was quite muddling and this didn’t suit Vinnie, who stays further than 3m and it turned into a bit of a sprint from the home turn.  He was tapped for toe but stuck on for pressure to finish 3rd.  This was a a solid effort and he will be sharper next time. ENTRIES Speedy Cargo is set to have his first start for the yard at Fontwell on Saturday.  This 5yo son of Stowaway had some very solid form in Irish Point to Points last season and is now set to start his rules career in a bumper.  He is from the family of smart chaser Maljimar and has shown a cracking attitude since joining the team, we can’t wait to get him started.  If the ground isn’t suitable he has options later in the week.  He will be a staying chaser in time. Rouge Vif and Simply The Betts had intended targets this week, but missed them due to unsuitable ground.  They will again hold multiple entries next week, but won’t run unless the ground is suitable.  They are big novices for this winter.  We need some rain! Eclat Des Bieffes has entries in bumpers at Stratford, Worcester and Newton Abbot where he is set to get his career underway for the Harry Whittington Racing Club.  He showed ability in his two starts in Irish Point to Points last season, but wasn’t seeing the 3 mile trip out.  He’s from a speedy French family and has shown plenty of ability and pace in his work at home, so should be suited by the switch under rules.  He’s a strong traveller who will be ridden patiently and we are looking forward to getting him going.  He will probably go hurdling after this and has schooled very well. Johnny Rocco didn’t take up his engagement at Sedgefield on Tuesday but is set to have his first start of the season in a bumper at either Worcester on Thursday or Newton Abbot on Friday.  As mentioned last week he was very green on debut and has done well physically and mentally since.  We are hopeful of an improved performance from him. The Dubai Way is set to switch to fences this season and has options at Ludlow and Southwell on Wednesday.  He had a cracking season last year winning 4 of his 5 starts , before running below his best in the EBF final at Sandown in March.  He goes chasing off a mark of 125 and being a relatively unexposed horse there should be more to come from him this year.  He’s got the physique of a chaser and we are excited to see him out again.  Hopefully he can be one of the stable stars once again. Henrietta Bell is set to make her first start for the yard in a bumper at Ludlow on Wednesday.  She is a 5yo Shantou mare who ran a very eye catching race on her only start in an Irish Point to Point last season to finish 2nd.  The form of that race looks strong, she’s impressed in everything she has done since she’s been with us and we can’t wait to see her on the track.  She’s from a quality family and isn’t short of speed, but may have to wait if the ground is too fast. Perfect Myth is set to have her next flat start in a maiden at Chelmsford on Thursday.  She shaped with promise on her first flat start at Leicester last month and we are hopeful she can run well again.  Options are thin on the ground for her at this time of year so she has to drop back to 10 furlongs here.  The all weather surface shouldn’t be an issue for her. Hurricane Lil holds a flat entry at Chelmsford on Thursday. S he has been given plenty of time since joining the yard, looks reasonably handicapped off her current rating of 55 and has had a wind operation since she last ran.  She’s from a very strong black type family and this run should show us where we are with her.  If she doesn’t run here she has options at Wolverhampton later in the month.     HWR HORSES IN TRAINING BROCHURES OUT NOW! That's right, hot off the press - our horses in training brochures for 2018-19 are available now! Filled with reviews, stunning pictures and most importantly all the latest info on each of our horses in the yard and their plans for the season ahead... All yours for just £5.99+P&P Get in touch now to order your copy;  info@harrywhittington.co.uk / 01235 751869   THE HARRY WHITTINGTON RACING CLUB 2018-19 A FEW SHARES STILL REMAINING...   Until next week...