- Wednesday, 16 September 2015 07:22
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Today we have four meetings to look forward to with three flat cards from Yarmouth, Sandown and Beverley as well as a National Hunt fixture from Kelso. We make the long journey up to Scotland with Purple 'N Gold (pictured above) who contests the handicap chase. Our six year old was successful at Worcester on his only start over fences to date, posting a very professional performance and he contests his first handicap over the larger obstacles today. It looks like a competitive race and he does have to defy a mark of 129 which is 4lbs higher than his hurdle mark but he looks as though he may make a better chaser - a clear round of jumping should see him go close under Tom Scudamore. The locals will not be able to understand owner Keith Webb's accent - Keith is a real character who has had horses in training at Pond House for a long, long time.
- Tuesday, 15 September 2015 07:37
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There was a good result for the stable yesterday when Spending Time won the staying handicap hurdle at Stratford under a fine ride from Tom Scudamore. There had obviously been plenty of rain during the day as the ground altered from good (good/firm in places) before the first race to good/soft after the second. All of the jockeys were returning covered in mud and the times were predictably slow. Spending Time saw out this marathon trip very well to record his first success and he looks every inch a chaser in the making. In the meantime he could win again when stamina is at a premium, while Lady Of Longstone (who finished sixth) looks as though a step back in trip would suit her as would a sounder surface.
- Monday, 14 September 2015 07:44
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
This afternoon there are three meetings taking place with two flat cards from Wolverhampton and Brighton as well as a jumps fixture from Stratford. David runs Lady Of Longstone and Spending Time in the 3.50pm at Stratford - a handicap hurdle over 3m2f. Lady Of Longstone (pictured above) is still 7lbs higher than her last winning mark although conditional jockey Michael Heard claims a useful 7lbs off her back which will certainly help. Meanwhile Spending Time put up his best performance to date when finishing a close third at this track last time - Tom Scudamore is in the saddle again this afternoon.
- Saturday, 12 September 2015 21:55
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There's a quiet afternoon in store on the domestic front with just two flat meetings from Bath and Ffos Las. Mind you, there is a fantastic card from Ireland with the Curragh host five Group races including three Group One's. Even so, many of the top jockeys including messrs Dettori and Buick have travelled in the opposite direction to ride at Longchamp in France. Personally, I think there should be at least one jumps meeting of a weekend when more people are able to attend.
- Saturday, 12 September 2015 07:35
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Once again the race planning team should (not) give themselves a hearty pat on the back. There are five meetings taking place this afternoon and there is not a single jumps fixture among them and it is the same story tomorrow. After all, who wants to go jump racing on a day when most people are not working?! Today's action comes from Doncaster, Chester, Bath, Lingfield and Musselburgh. Doncaster host a good card (as indeed they should considering it is St Leger day!) although the big race isn't what it used to be back in the days of Nijinsky, Oh So Sharp, Reference Point et al. There are only seven runners in the Leger and they all look like they would make decent hurdlers!
- Friday, 11 September 2015 07:42
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It is great to see the stable continuing in great form and even though there was no jump racing yesterday, David was still among the winners as Impulsive American won the concluding 1m4f handicap at Chepstow. Our three year old was given a great ride from champion apprentice elect, Tom Marquand - who is now 5 winners clear at the top of that category. He is already down to claiming just 3lbs now and on this evidence it won't be long before he rides out his claim altogether. Impulsive American saw out this twelve furlong trip really well and could be a useful prospect for juvenile hurdling.
- Thursday, 10 September 2015 07:42
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
I went racing to Uttoxeter yesterday and once again the stable was among the winners with success in the feature handicap hurdle with the rapidly improving Kalifourchon who was recording his third success from his last four starts. I would imagine a fair hike in the weights will be coming his way, although he gives the impression that he is doing nothing more than what is necessary and looks as though he will get further still. He is a lovely four year old who should make a smashing chaser in time. The ground at Uttoxeter yesterday was officially described as good although all of the times were on the slow side suggesting the ground was actually dead. It certainly didn't help Dusk Till Dawn or Standing Ovation who both seem to like the top of the ground. Dusk Till Dawn looks as though he will appreciate a longer trip, while Standing Ovation still performed creditably to finish a close third and I wouldn't be surprised to see him return to the larger obstacles next time.
