- Wednesday, 21 January 2015 08:37
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Today we have four meetings taking place with National Hunt action coming from Ayr and Catterick (subject to an early morning inspection), while there are all-weather flat cards at Lingfield and Kempton. Looking at the all-weather tracks it seems they could do with one in the north of England to balance them out a bit. There is no shortage of tracks wanting to add an all-weather surface for some reason, so I guess it will happen before too long. The yard has no runners this afternoon although stable jockey Tom Scudamore makes the long trip north to Ayr for a couple of rides for his brother - let's hope they perform, otherwise it is going to be a very long trip home!
- Tuesday, 20 January 2015 08:35
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It was another good day for the stable yesterday with Herbert Park producing an excellent debut effort over timber to score narrowly from the Paul Nicholls trained favourite Qualando. The runner-up had some decent form in France so it was undoubtedly a good performance from our five year old to concede 11lbs. I love horses like him that really stick their necks out and try - they don't have to be the best, but so long as they have a willing attitude you always have a chance. I have been racing three times in the last five days and we have had four winners...I am not going to change my pants!
- Monday, 19 January 2015 08:56
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There are just three meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards (pending inspections) from Exeter and Bangor as well as an all-weather flat card from Wolverhampton. The stable has four runners at Exeter; Herbert Park, Alezanna, Flabello and Kalifourchon. Herbert Park certainly looks like a promising individual - he ran a good race to finish runner-up on his racecourse debut at Chepstow before going one better at the same course last time and once again seems to have sound claims on his hurdling debut under Tom Scudamore. Meanwhile former flat winner Alezanna makes her debut for the stable this afternoon, I just hope the ground does not come up too heavy for them.
- Saturday, 17 January 2015 12:21
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
With the abandonment of Fontwell this afternoon there is only one all-weather flat card remaining on these shores at Lingfield. Even so, there is some good jumping action in Ireland on Attherace from Leopardstown. Unless someone comes up with a point-to-point to go to, it really does look like Sunday is going to be a day of rest in the Barnes household! Champion jockey A P McCoy has travelled over to the Emerald Isle for three rides, the pick of which looks to be Snake Eyes in the £100,000 handicap hurdle. The worst prize money on the card is for the bumper, but even that is worth £8,000 - the courses over here could do with taking note.
- Saturday, 17 January 2015 08:41
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It is a big day for racing with four meetings taking place this afternoon and three competitive jumps cards from Ascot, Taunton and Haydock as well as an all-weather flat card at Lingfield. The stable has runners at all three National Hunt meetings and I will be the busiest today as I am off to Taunton where we have five runners. Mount Haven (pictured above), For 'N' Against, Vif Argent, Softsong and Virtuel d'Oudon represent the stable at Taunton, Amigo runs in the Peter Marsh at Haydock (Broadway Buffalo is a non-runner), while David goes to Ascot where Willem makes his debut for the stable. This ex-French gelding had some decent form in France and was close up when falling at the last in a good race at Auteuil - the testing ground should prove no hindrance to him having won on heavy ground at Compiegne. It looks like a good race but a big run is still expected.
- Friday, 16 January 2015 08:23
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
With Musselburgh passing an early morning inspection, there are three meetings taking place this afternoon. The Scottish track hosts the only jumps card of the day while there are two all-weather flat meetings from Lingfield and Wolverhampton. There are seven races at Lingfield, although ironically enough the one with the most prize money has attracted the fewest runners. The conditions stakes could end up with just three participants, while the three 51-65 handicaps have attracted a combined total of 38 runners - it would seem obvious that trainers do not want these conditions races.
- Thursday, 15 January 2015 08:39
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It was certainly a day to remember yesterday at Newbury as stable jockey Tom Scudamore reached his fastest ever 100 winners and David recorded a double courtesy of Brook and Smiles For Miles. Brook (pictured above) is owned by the "Pipe Dreaming Ladies" and no joke, they must be among the noisiest group of owners I have ever met! In all seriousness though, it would be wonderful if all owners shared their infectious enthusiasm for their horses and the sport. They were even celebrating with champagne before the race, while afterwards they made their way to the Royal Box for refills - I bet the Queen was wondering who on earth was making all the noise in her box! Fortunately they all had drivers, otherwise I don't think they would have made it home.
