- Thursday, 07 January 2016 08:31
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
The debate continues about the racing coverage following ITV securing the rights to be the sport's terrestrial broadcaster. I have to say, I have never heard anyone say that they had to switch on to Channel 4 to watch Gok Wan talking about the fashion at the races. To be perfectly honest, I would much rather listen to Sir Anthony McCoy talking about fashion because he has no idea - it would be great entertainment! I always thought that people tuned in to Channel 4 Racing to watch the horses...or am I oversimplifying things once again?!
- Wednesday, 06 January 2016 08:32
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with a jumps card from Huntingdon as well as three all-weather flat fixtures from Chelmsford City, Wolverhampton and Kempton. David has two runners at Huntingdon today; Still Together and Iniciar and they are both big prices according to the Racing Post. Still Together (pictured above) did win an Irish point-to-point on heavy ground but is yet to show much in this country and he has a tough assignment against Potters Legend who is a big odds-on chance and very much the one to beat. Iniciar was a good flat performer back in France but he hasn't improved for the switch to hurdling.
- Tuesday, 05 January 2016 08:53
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
The stable was among the winners again yesterday as David struck with his only runner, Mount Haven at Ludlow. He won the maiden hurdle under Tom Scudamore in good style from his chief market rival, the pair of them pulling well clear of the remainder in the closing stages. With this first run of the season behind him our former bumper winner can go onto better things. I was driving up to the stable from South Devon this morning and you could see fields flooded and full of standing water either side of the M5. We have certainly had plenty of rain, although that pales into insignificance alongside what they have been enduring to the north of the country.
- Monday, 04 January 2016 08:35
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
What a fantastic performance from Soll at the weekend to land the valuable veterans' handicap chase final at Sandown on Saturday in determined fashion. He was extremely brave up that tough climb to the finish and nabbed Aachen in the shadow of the post. This was no mean effort under 11-9 and I'm sure David will be hoping to run the admirable eleven year old in the Grand National again this year. Obviously he has an abundance of stamina and the softer the ground, the better his prospects will be there.
- Saturday, 02 January 2016 12:37
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
There are only two meetings taking place this afternoon with action coming from Plumpton over the sticks and an all-weather flat card from Chelmsford City. The stable has one runner at Plumpton as Doctor Harper (pictured above) takes his chance in the novices' chase. A Grade 3 winner over timber at the Grand National meeting a couple of years ago, he has schooled well at home and should go well. Supreme Novices' Hurdle fourth L'Ami Serge is likely to be a warm favourite from the Henderson yard although the ground is likely to be bottomless and anything can happen.
- Saturday, 02 January 2016 08:46
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
David kicked off the new year in the best possible manner yesterday with the first winners of 2016...and it was at Cheltenham to boot! Champers On Ice battled on bravely to win a hot looking novices' hurdle under a penalty, posting a very useful effort. He is clearly going the right way and is a smashing prospect for the future. Meanwhile Alternatif looked sure to be involved in the following race, a 3m2 1/2f handicap chase although his stamina appeared to peter out approaching the last as he weakened to finish fourth. I went to Exeter yesterday and managed to get extremely wet! The ground was almost unraceable but it was good to see some of the old faces I haven't seen in a while and despite the horrendous weather it was good to see plenty of young race goers which bodes well for the future of the sport.
- Friday, 01 January 2016 08:07
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Champers on Ice runs at Cheltenham
The good news is that Exeter has passed it's inspection and racing goes ahead! So today we have six meetings, jumps cards at Cheltenham, Musselburgh, Catterick, Fakenham and Exeter plus a flat card at Southwell. David has three runners at Cheltenham, Champers on Ice, Alternatif and Batavir and all are ridden by Tom Scu. Champers on Ice won on soft going at Newbury last time out but has to give weight away to some useful opposition. It looks a good race but there is no reason why he should not go close. Alternatif is favourite in the Racing Post for the 12.45pm handicap chase. He won with any amount in hand at Fontwell last time out. Although this is only his fourth start over fences he jumps well, stays well and hopefully he should run well. Batavir runs in the 2.30pm handicap hurdle. He was third last time in the Fixed Brush hurdle at Haydock although he was beaten a fair way. He is five pounds higher today than his winning mark but cheekpieces are on and with a little improvement hopefully he can be competitive.
