A Quiet Week

09-04-2021

HWR WEEKLY NEWS

We've had another quiet week with very few runners to report as we begin to wind down towards the end of the season. Brave Kingdom looks to be our sole representative on the big stage this weekend as all eyes are on Liverpool. There is still plenty to be keeping us busy here up on the hill and a few nice horses still to look forward to before the curtain falls.

REPORTS

NEVERBEEN TO PARIS

Neverbeen To Paris was our sole runner last weekend when he lined up in the final of the Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series at Haydock. Unwilling to jump off possibly as a result of a miss-hap with the tape getting caught round his back legs on the last day, he didn't get off to a great start. Held up in rear in a 15-runner contest, he was asked to make up ground upon jumping five out, but following a check on the home turn, he found the leaders getting away and was unable to make any impression up the straight. We will now aim to find a quieter track and a smaller field in a mission to regain his confidence.

LANTIERN

We decided to give Lantiern another chance on the Flat on Easter Monday, taking in a 1m4f novice event on the tapeta at Wolverhampton. Previously the winner of a jumpers’ bumper on the surface, he broke well and adopted a handy early position. However, he began to lose his place as the pace lifted starting out on the final circuit and dropped away completely inside the final three furlongs. He was found to be very lame the following morning which is likely to be a reason for this below-par run. The option remains open to go back over hurdles.

CAPTAIN TOMMY

Captain Tommy made his return from a winter break at Taunton yesterday, reverting to hurdles following a wind operation. Winner of the prize for best turned out, he raced close up in the field of five, travelling with enthusiasm and jumping accurately. Ridden along to keep tabs on the leading pair as they turned for home, he struggled to quicken initially, but kept on in pleasing fashion once getting his second wind to be beaten only 7¾ lengths at the line in 4th. This run the perfect launching pad for a Spring and Summer campaign.

ENTRIES

JUNIPER

Juniper has been declared for the mares' novices' hurdle at Sedgefield this afternoon which could provide her with a good opportunity to get her head in front. It does however necessitate a drop back to two miles, but she should be the one to beat based on her 2nd on debut for us at Huntingdon in February, form which has been franked by the winner scoring again subsequently.

BRAVE KINGDOM

Brave Kingdom was an impressive winner on his debut for the yard at Fontwell where he made all to record a ready 4¼ length success. He is now set to line up in the Grade 2 Bumper at Aintree tomorrow, the race following the Grand National. And although that would be a significant rise in class, he is a horse with plenty of ability and one we rate highly.

TORIGNI

Torigni has been knocking on the door since joining us, finishing 3rd at Wetherby, Kempton and Musselburgh. A horse who we think will appreciate good ground, the current dry spell is very much in his favour and we have pencilled in a race for him at Newton Abbot next Tuesday.

SIR SHOLOKHOV

Likewise entered for Newton Abbot next Tuesday is Sir Sholokhov who could look to make it 2 from 2 over fences in the 2m5f handicap chase. His win on chasing debut at Sedgefield last month was a very pleasing performance and one that suggests there is plenty more to come.

RAFFLES GITANE & SEE THE EAGLE FLY

Racing returns to Cheltenham next week for a two-day meeting where Raffles Gitane and See The Eagle Fly are both possible runners in the fillies’ juvenile handicap hurdle on Thursday. With victories already under their belt this season, the prospect of gaining valuable black type for the pair in this Grade 3 contest is very alluring.

IN OTHER NEWS

HWR TEAM INTERVIEW POLLY HUTSON

CLICK ABOVE TO VIEW OUR VIDEO OF POLLY

Until next week...

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

A Quiet Week