- Thursday, 11 July 2013 07:17
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It's a busy day with five meetings taking place this afternoon at Newmarket, Doncaster, Warwick, Epsom and Bath. Sadly there is no jump racing to look forward to today but the Newmarket meeting is a high quality affair with no less than three Group races on the card including the Group 2 Prince Of Wales Stakes - it looks to be a very competitive race with the bookies going 7/2 the field. The meeting at Bath hasn't attracted many runners - the lack of an irrigation system has meant that the firm ground sees only 46 runners across their seven race card and I wouldn't be at all surprised if there a few non-runners at the track this evening.
- Wednesday, 10 July 2013 07:11
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There was an impressive performance from the stable's High Ville at Uttoxeter last night as he won by seventeen lengths on his first try at three miles under a fine front-running ride from Conor O'Farrell. He was keen early on but stayed going very well - let's hope that David has some further entries in mind for him where he can run under a penalty...I think the handicapper may well raise him by more than 7lbs. The extra distance certainly brought about an improved effort, so let's hope that he can now continue to progress.
- Tuesday, 09 July 2013 06:58
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There was a nice winner for the yard yesterday when Massannie scored in the colours of our stable sponsors Wayne and Sarah Clifford of Bathwick Tyres. She won the mares' novices' hurdle with any amount in hand and is now unbeaten in three starts since joining us at Pond House and still looks to be improving at a rate of knots. Massannie was homebred by Sarah out of her mare Bathwick Annie and she certainly looks to have a nice prospect here. Meanwhile Kusadasi also ran with credit but was unable to follow-up last week's success switched to fences. He was a little bit novicey at a couple of his fences and he may be suited by a slight step back in trip.
- Monday, 08 July 2013 07:21
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There is terribly sad news following the sad passing of owner and friend David Johnson from cancer on Saturday. David was an East-end lad and a West Ham supporter and one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. He was a fearless punter and never complained, even if the good things managed to get beaten. I always enjoyed our chats about the Hammers and how they would one day win the league. He was MCP's biggest and most successful owner for a number of years and we will all miss him. Our thoughts are with his widow Shirley and children, Lisa and Stephen...we have lost a good one.
- Sunday, 07 July 2013 08:25
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Today there are just two race meetings, a flat card at Ayr and jumping at Market Rasen. David does not have any runners but Tom Scu goes to Market Rasen to ride a couple, Mister Wiseman and Local Hero. Both look outsiders in the betting but you never know! They do have a couple of nice prize money races on the card with £9000 and £8000 up for grabs in two. However, I see that one of the races at Ayr is worth just £1976 to the winner which is a joke in this day and age. With expenses so high there won't be a lot left for the owner after everything is taken away!
- Saturday, 06 July 2013 07:03
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Purple N Gold after winning at Kempton
Today there are six meetings all on the flat at Sandown, Haydock, Leicester, Beverley, Nottingham and Carlisle. David's only runner of the weekend is at Nottingham this evening, Purple N Gold runs in the 8.00pm race. Our four year old has been running on the all weather at Kempton recently but he is still seven pounds higher than his last winning mark. He has run well off a mark of 74 on the all weather and he is only two pounds higher this evening but he does needs to bounce back from a disappointing run last time. There is good racing at Sandown this afternoon with a Group 1 and a Group 3 plus two Listed races. All eyes will be on the 3.50pm race with Al Kazeem taking on Declaration of War who comes over from Ireland. The good news is all these races are on Channel 4 for us all to enjoy.
- Friday, 05 July 2013 07:05
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It sounds as though David had a good time in France at the Arqana Deauville sales over the last few days. Indeed, he finished up with six new horses including the top lot of the entire event, an exciting four year old called Dell'Arca who was knocked down to him for €280,000. Dell'Arca (pictured above) boasts some good form over hurdles and was also a winner on the flat - Irish trainer Willie Mullins was underbidder. With four horses from last week's sale in Ireland and further sales at Newmarket next week, it looks as though David has some exiciting new stock to go to war with.
