Back_down_the_gallops

The spoils once again went to champion jockey A P McCoy yesterday as he rode no fewer than four winners at Market Rasen to take his seasonal tally to an incredible 89 as we head into the enforced summer break.  Tom Scu kept his momentum going with a winner for David Bridgwater and he is next in the standings with 42 victories, by the far the best start to a season that he has enjoyed.  Of course 'Tom Tom' will be enjoying a slightly longer holiday than most of his compatriots following his error of judgement at Cartmel last month.

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Well, Glorious Goodwood is over for another year and what a fantastic week they have had there.  I must say, you should go along if you ever get the opportunity to attend.  It is without doubt one of the most finely appointed tracks in the country, hosts top class racing and is in a stunning location to boot...what more could you want?  Anyway on to today's action and there are three meetings taking place this afternoon; two on the level at Chester and Newbury and a jumps card from Market Rasen.  It's a funny card at Chester with largely small fields punctuated by a big Listed contest and a competitive handicap.

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String_gallops_Aug_web

Once again if you are a fan of National Hunt racing you are out of luck.  I know I bang on about it, but why on earth is there not a more balanced fixture list, especially of a weekend when people have the most opportunity to go racing.  If you are desperate for a jump racing fix, you will have to travel over to Ireland where it is the last day of their Galway fixture...I don't mind betting that there are a few sore heads around there by now!  Over on these shores there are six meetings taking place today, with the final day of Glorious Goodwood being the obvious highlight.  There are also meetings from Doncaster, Hamilton, Lingfield, Newmarket and Thirsk.

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street_entertainer_Fontwell
   Street Entertainer runs at Bangor

It was a great days action at Goodwood yesterday and there were some top performances from Iva Wood and Cavalryman.  There was also a nice win for AP in the Galway hurdle on board Thomas Edison for boss JP McManus and there is a great picture in the Racing Post of JP holding a very young fan wearing his fanous green and gold silks!  I also see the ladies at Goodwood had a treat yesterday when Tom Cruise put in a guest performance at Glorious Goodwood.  Gail from the office tells me should would have liked to have been there!  Meanwhile today, the action continues at the Sussex track and we also have further flat racing at Thirsk, Newmarket, Musselburgh and Bath plus a jumps card at Bangor.  David has one runners at Bangor and Street Entertainer runs in the 3.50pm handicap hurdle.  There are only four runners and he should run well after two good recent runs with Tom Scu on board again.  Party Girls was also declared in the final race of the day but she is now a non runner.

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  Ainsi_Fideles_Perth_300714

It was another good day for the stable yesterday with the facile success of Ainsi Fideles (pictured above) in the 2m4 1/2f handicap chase at Perth.  He jumped very well in the main, with the exception of an error at the tricky ditch and he scored fairly much as he pleased in the hands of Tom Scudamore on this handicap debut.  This was certainly a good piece of placement by David to find a three runner race and preserve his unbeaten record over fences - I expect he will be looking for further opportunities for him over the coming weeks.  His success made it two wins from two runners at the meeting and with Ainsi Fideles adding £7,596 to the £9495 won by His Excellency the day before, it was certainly a worthwhile trip.

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His_Excellency_Perth_290714

It was another good evening for the stable last night as His Excellency (pictured above) won the handicap chase at Perth on his first try at three miles.  It was a largely Scottish affair with owners Sean and Josie Tracey, travelling head lad Bob Hodge and groom Zoe Martin all coming from north of the border!  Making headway two out, His Excellency led after the last and despite hanging to his right he ran on well to score by 3/4 length and the same and in so doing win for the first time since October 2012.  He may not be the easiest to win with but he certainly possesses plenty of ability as he demonstrated when third in the 2013 Arkle Chase over two miles at the Cheltenham Festival.  He remains open to further improvement at these sort of distances and can hopefully pick up another race of two now that he has managed to get his head in front once again.

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Azza_Uttoxeter_280714

The stable was on the mark last night as Azza (pictured above) made a successful transition to fences in the beginners' chase at Uttoxeter.  Our former Listed hurdle winner had schooled well at home and while she was entitled to win on the best of her form over timber, you can only beat what is put in front of you.  Azza is not very big but she is very agile and athletic and jumped these testing fences very well and looks capable of winning again and could hold her own in stronger company too.

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