Unanimite - Winner at Plumpton

Last week started well with a winner on Monday at Plumpton courtesy of Unanimite and Daryl Jacob.  It was great to get his head in front as it was his first win in just over two years.  He has contested some top races in the meantime, finishing a very close second in a hot handicap at Ascot as well as running okay in the Ladbroke and Holloway’s hurdles at the Berkshire track lasts season.  He had a few setbacks after he ran well at Musselburgh in February so I was delighted to get him back to winning ways the other day.  I am sure it will do his confidence to world of good, he goes on any ground and he is still only a five year old so hopefully there will be a bit more to come.

Our second winner of the week was another comeback kid, Herbert Park at Worcester on Wednesday.  Our six year old won three of his five starts two seasons ago but not much went right last season and he only actually completed the course on one of his three starts.  For whatever reason he just did not seem right in his coat or himself and we called stumps with his season very early on and I was delighted he rewarded his owner’s, Brocade Racing’s patience with a win the other day.  He was much more like his old self and battled on all the way to the line under a strong ride from Tom Scu to prevail in a tight finish.  We have already been schooling him over fences and will probably go chasing sooner rather than later.


     Herbert Park - Winner at Worcester

Gary Charm was running okay in the amateur chase at Cheltenham on Friday until unfortunately unshipping his young jockey Rex Dingle four from home.  It was too far out to say where he would have finished but he was going well enough at the time so hopefully we will be able to find him a winning opportunity.  Alternatif ran well on Saturday at Cheltenham to finish fourth in a competitive three mile handicap chase.  He found the ground plenty lively enough but galloped all the way to the line.  Hopefully when some rain arrived we can find a suitable opportunity for him to get his head in front.  I was delighted to be invited to lunch by Randox at Cheltenham on Saturday.  Randox are the new sponsors of the Grand National but they also sponsored two races at Cheltenham on Saturday.  This is great for racing that the company is getting involved in our sport in such a big way.  I also had a visitor stay with me on Friday evening.  Gordon Elliott was over for Cheltenham and he came back to Pond House to spend the evening before coming back with us for racing on Saturday.  Gordon worked here many years ago and has always been a great family friend so we enjoyed recalling a few stories from years gone by over a pint or two!

What a Moment made a pleasing chasing debut at Aintree on Sunday, finishing second, only beaten ½ length.  His jumping was a little novicey to start but got better throughout the race and he battle all the way to the line.  He should be winning over fences very soon.

Looking ahead to this week I have runners at Chepstow on Tuesday, Citrus, Sweettoothtommy and Thunder Pass.  We make the trip to Fakenham on Wednesday with Eamon An Cnoic and then later in the week we could have runners at Sedgefield, Stratford, Uttoxeter and Wetherby.  There are some bigger races to look forward to at the weekend with racing at Ascot, Wetherby and Ayr.  The Charlie Hall is the big race of the day at Wetherby and Dynaste holds an entry.  He was second in the race last year to Cue Card and he seems in great form at home but as with all my runners a lot will depend on how much rain we get and what the ground is like at all the tracks.  Champers On Ice also features amongst our entries this weekend and is entered in the three mile novice chase at Wetherby.  Keep checking Chester’s Daily Chat with more news of our runners throughout the week.

At the weekend it was great to welcome back Pond House favourite Ballynagour to the yard.  He had a late summer holiday after finish second in both the summer cup at Uttoxeter and the summer plate at Market Rasen.  He has summered well and been in pre-training with Richard Kent at Mickley Stud.  He is not getting any younger but still has lots of talent and it is great to have him back on the team and he should still be competitive in some of the top races.

Away from the racecourse I have a busy week as I am up at the Newmarket Horses in training sales every day.  It looks a good catalogue with over 1500 horses for sale and I am hoping to pick out a few off the flat that have the potential to go hurdling.  If anyone as any interest in possibly purchasing a horse from this sale please give the office a ring on 01884 840715 for more details as we would be delighted to hear from you.