WHERES THE SUMMER WEATHER?

15-06-2019

THIS WEEK The summer has been rolling on at Hill Barn and we have another winner to report, one which is however sadly tinged with sadness as we had to say goodbye to the gorgeous Indieburg who will be greatly missed by all connections.  Without question the hardest part of our job and an incredibly sad day for all.  Since then the weather has turned and paused further plans to run some of our summer jumpers on a number of waterlogged courses.  Meanwhile Harry has been busy over at the sales in Ireland sourcing new talent for the season ahead. REPORTS SIROBBIE Sirobbie headed to Fakenham last Sunday to run in the Stibbard Handicap Hurdle over 2m7½f.  He won really nicely the week before at Uttoxeter where he showed plenty of improvement and proved to be progressing with every run.  The handicapper was going to raise him 12lb for the victory therefore we decided to take our chance under a penalty in this race.  We decided to make use of him this time round the sharp track so we made the running.  At 3 out we looked to have every chance bar from making a mistake, this meant that the champion Jockey could get in front of us and from there it was a struggle to get back past him.  He will freshen up now for a race back at Uttoxeter at the end of the month.  Course and distance suits him really well so we are looking forward to this next run. CARDY New recruit for The Lead the Way syndicate, Cardy ran at Southwell on the 4th June in the Southwell Racecourse Joules Sale 24th July Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race over 2m.  She had been showing a very good attitude at home since arriving from Ireland, she is a nice mare by Vinnie Roe who is a sire we like a lot.  She'd been showing a bit of speed so we decided to run her in this bumper and the race looked a good opportunity on paper bar a well bred filly of Nicky Henderson’s.  There was no pace early on so Gavin kept her in a handy position and she tanked her way to the front in the first mile.  Turning into the home straight she was going nicely and the favourite looked the only danger sat in behind us.  Due to the early pace it turned into a sprint and the winner just had more of a turn of foot, but she stuck to the task well to finish a solid second and showed plenty of promise so we were thrilled with the run.  She has 3 entries later in the month and we are looking forward to getting her out again. INDIEBURG Indieburg won at Uttoxeter on Friday in the Wade Ceramics Gluggle Jug "National Hunt" Maiden Hurdle over 2m.  He is a gorgeous horse by Sageburg who has always shown promise at home.  He disappointed in a bumper in the autumn but it was reported by the jockey that day that he was still very weak, he also needed a tweaking of his wind therefore he was always likely to improve.  The race looked a good opportunity and we felt the track would really suit him.  We felt positive tactics was the way forward as we knew he would stay well.  He jumped and travelled really nicely under Gavin and he was able to go a nice even gallop all the way.  Turning out at the back he was going the best and turning into the straight he was pulling away from his rivals.  The race looked in the bag going to the last hurdle where he blundered badly but managed to stay on his feet.  He then showed huge courage to gallop all the way to the line to win his race. It is with great sadness that he sustained a severe injury at the mistake at the last hurdle which meant that he had to be put to sleep later that evening.  He was a young horse with a bright future ahead of him who will be hugely missed by all connections. ENTRIES HENRIETTA BELL Henrietta Bell has been in good form since she won last time out, she holds two entries coming up but unfortunately the ground is very must against her.  She is entered in a novice hurdle under a penalty as well as a mares handicap hurdle.  We will decide nearer the time which race to go for and the ground will also help with the decision.