- Tuesday, 05 April 2016 15:57
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
It is the eve of the Grand National meeting from Aintree and there are four meetings taking place this afternoon, none of them over the sticks. The action comes from Catterick, Kempton, Lingfield and Nottingham - even the fixture from Leopardstown is on the level! Despite all of these meetings taking place there is not a seller to be seen anywhere. There are a couple of claimers over 6 and 7 furlongs although that is going to draw little interest from anyone involved in the jumping game. If there were sellers or claimers of 10 furlongs or further I am sure there would be more interest at the subsequent auctions which in turn would generate money for the racecourses - it doesn't seem like rocket science to me.
- Tuesday, 05 April 2016 06:57
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
This afternoon we have three meetings although the cards from Newton Abbot and Pontefract both have to pass inspections following plenty of rainfall yesterday. Ludlow goes ahead without any problems. The stable does not have any runners today so it looks like a quiet day. Yesterday Batavir fared best of our three runners, finishing third at Wincanton and he wasn't beaten that far. Maybe he needs to drop a few pounds from his current mark of 125?
- Monday, 04 April 2016 07:45
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
It was another good weekend for the stable with the success of Ballywilliam at Uttoxeter on Saturday and Taj Badalandabad at Ascot on Sunday. Ballywilliam won under a good ride from Kieron Edgar, while Michael Heard was victorious aboard the latter (easier to write than to pronounce!). Taj has now won six of his eleven starts and is developing into a very useful stayer. I must say that David is in the lucky position to have three very good conditional jockeys based at Pond House. Meanwhile Shotavodka ran another decent race to finish third in the veterans' chase from a mark 12lbs higher than for his last success.
- Sunday, 03 April 2016 00:00
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Ascot and Carlisle and a flat fixture from Doncaster. The stable has four runners at Ascot; Impulsive American, Purple 'N Gold, Shotavodka and Taj Badalandabad. There is some very good prize money up for grabs so as you would expect, the races are extremely competitive. Impulsive American has run consistently well all season long and with conditional jockey David Noonan taking a handy 5lbs off his back he carries only 10-5 and should acquit himself well once again. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Purple 'N Gold were to run well, while Shotavodka (pictured above) won a veteran's chase in fine style last time but is up considerably in the weights, even so he should go well once again. Taj Badalandabad runs in the conditional jockeys race and will be partnered by Michael Heard. He has been in good form and it could be a good day for the yard...fingers crossed!
- Saturday, 02 April 2016 07:20
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
There is another busy day in prospect with five meetings taking place. There is jumping action from Newbury, Kelso and Uttoxeter as well as flat fixtures from Doncaster on the turf and Kempton on the all-weather. The stable has runners at all three of the National Hunt cards; Nice Thoughts and Ballywilliam compete at Uttoxeter, Top Wood (pictured above) makes the long trip up north to Kelso and Drama King makes his racecourse debut at Newbury. Nice Thoughts ran an encouraging first race over hurdles at Taunton last time, although he needs to improve further to figure, while Ballywilliam has been consistent and looks to have sound prospects returning from a little break.
- Friday, 01 April 2016 07:10
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
There is a busy day ahead with five meetings taking place with jumps cards from Newbury, Fontwell and Wetherby as well as flat cards from Lingfield and Wolverhampton. David has one runner this afternoon; Iniciar who competes in the 2.05pm race at Wetherby. Our six year old was a ready winner last time out at Carlisle on good/soft ground and he now drops back into novice company. He carries a 6lbs penalty for that success although he is partnered by David Noonan who claims a handy 3lbs off his back. A similar level of form will see him go close.
- Thursday, 31 March 2016 07:46
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
It was another good day for the stable yesterday with a double at Exeter with our first runners of the week; Twentytwo's Taken and Brook. David certainly has the stable in irresistible form as we head towards the Grand National meeting at Aintree next week. Twentytwo's Taken (pictured above) was making her first appearance for 340 days but was given another good ride from David Noonan, who himself is having something of a break-out season with 35 winners already on the board. The one that surprised me however was Brook who ran out a convincing winner of the three mile handicap chase under Conor O'Farrell, although this was probably a very good bit of placement from David. Dusk Till Dawn finished fourth in the novices' handicap hurdle over 2m5 1/2f and it looks as though fences and three miles could be the answer for this former Irish point-to-point winner - I make it sound very easy, but it certainly isn't - just ask David!
