Quinte_Du_Chatelet_gallops_web

There is local racing this afternoon at Exeter over the sticks and the stable has a couple of runners.  The ground is currently describes as soft and with the track being quite a stiff test at the best of times, I reckon there are going to be some tired horses this afternoon.  Basil Fawlty makes his debut for the yard in a warm looking novices' hurdle, while Quinte du Chatelet, pictured above (only a couple of weeks ago believe it or not!) makes his chasing debut in another open contest - Tom Scu takes the mount on both of them.  There are also two flat cards taking place this afternoon at Lingfield and Yarmouth - the ground at Yarmouth is heavy, while even the all-weather is riding on the slow side with the going being described as standard/slow!  I would imagine the flat boys will struggle even more than their jumping compatriots!

Read more...

His_Excellency_Cheltenham_web

It was a good weekend for the yard when our only runner at Cheltenham on Saturday obliged.  His Excellency took the competitive looking novices' chase under Tom Scudamore and he looks like a  very nice prosect for the stable.  This was his third chase success of the season (following two in Ireland over the summer) and he looks as though he will be able to add to that.  Our runners at Kempton yesterday also performed creditably with My Brother Sylvest finishing a close third on his chasing debut.  I think when the ground dries out he should be capable of winning again.

Read more...

grandscrus

There are just two meetings on this afternoon at Bath on the flat and a jumps card at Kempton.  It is good to see David doing his bit to promote racing - he is up at Kempton this afternoon with a couple of runners, but he will also be conducting a questions and answers session in the paddock at 1.15pm as part of a racing forum.  We will also be parading Grands Crus (pictured above), who was most impressive when winning the Grade One Feltham Novices' Chase at the track last season on Boxing Day.  My Brother Sylvest and Laustra Bad are our runners today and will both be ridden by Tom Scudamore.

Read more...

His_Excellency_head2

It's a huge day for racing today with five meetings taking place at Ascot, Catterick and Wolverhampton on the flat as well as two jumping cards at Cheltenham and Kelso.  The stable has one runner at Cheltenham, His Excellency (pictured above) who takes in the two mile novices' chase at 4.55pm.  He has already won a couple of chases in Ireland over the summer and that experience should stand him in good stead here in what looks to be a good contest with several promising types taking part.  However, much as Cheltenham is the pinnacle of jumps racing all eyes will be on the flat at Ascot as Frankel takes in the Champion Stakes.

Read more...

I_Shot_the_Sheriff_Wetherby_web

It was a worthwhile trip up to the north of the country when the stable had two winners from three runners at Wetherby yesterday.  I Shot The Sheriff made a very impressive debut for the yard when winning the novices' hurdle in good style under Tom Scudamore, beating 123 rated Liberty's Gift by nine lengths.  I am not sure that the runner-up ran to that sort of mark, but ours is clearly a useful prospect and should be more than capable of adding to his tally.  African Broadway was our other winner on the card as he made a successful chase debut in the 3m1f beginners' chase.  He jumped well in the main, stayed on well and will have learnt plenty from this experience.

Read more...

Katchmore_Ffos_Las_web

It seems as though Wetherby have managed to escape the worst of the rain and they are giving their official going this afternoon as good/soft.  We make the long trip up north with three runners - I Shot The Sheriff, African Broadway and Katchmore (pictured above).  I Shot The Sheriff looks like an interesting hurdling debutant as he makes his first start for the team at Pond House, while African Broadway had some useful form over hurdles last season and now makes his chasing debut - Tom Scudamore rides them both. Katchmore carries plenty of weight in the handicap hurdle but he has been in good form, winning at Ffos Las on his penultimate start and he will be partnered by Tom Bellamy who takes a useful 7lbs off his back.  There are three other meetings on this afternoon, all of them on the flat at Nottingham, Kempton and Lingfield

Read more...

Weekend_Millionair_Ffos_Las_web

Following the abandonment of Newcastle's fixture this afternoon due to waterlogging, we are left with three other meetings on the level at Leicester and Wolverhampton and over the sticks at Huntingdon.  Unsurprisingly the going looks like it is going to be pretty testing at the turf meetings and the stable has one runner at Huntingdon.  Weekend Millionair (pictured above winning at Ffos Las last season) has his first start for 159 days in the 2m4 1/2f novices' hurdle and he sets a good standard on his close third in a decent Punchestown contest last time.  He should handle the going and will be partnered by Tom Scudamore.

Read more...