- Monday, 10 October 2011 07:40
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
I thought African Broadway put up a great run to win at Chepstow on Saturday. He won by five lengths but it was not the distance that was impressive it was the way he jumped and travelled for Tom Scu. When he won his Bumper at Newbury he came out of the thick fog and nobody saw any of the race. We saw all of the race at Chepstow thankfully and our runner certainly looks an above average recruit. I hope he will be contesting some of the bigger races throughout the season and I am please to report he has come out of the race well and we look forward to seeing him on the track again in the future. Also on the Chepstow card I thought Cue Card was very impressive on his chasing debut. He jumped very well in the main and it will take a very good horse to beat him this season. Jockey Joe Tizzard said he had schooled well at home and he was certainly right.
- Sunday, 09 October 2011 07:30
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
I know that Newton Abbot managing directory Pat Masterson is fearing the worst when the fixture list for 2012 is announced by the BHA. Surely, whoever distributes the fixtures must have enough sense to give out a good spread of summer fixtures to those tracks near the sea? We always used to see Newton Abbot right at the beginning of the new season and there were always bumper holiday crowds there. Holiday makers need to be amused and I can't think of a better way than spending a day at the races at Newton Abbot.
- Saturday, 08 October 2011 07:26
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
I thought that American Art produced a good performance to score at Newton Abbot yesterday afternoon and in the process complete a four-timer. He was left clear when Den Maschine fell at the last when upsides (it was a nasty looking fall but fortunately the horse eventually got up having lay stricken for some time) but personally I think that American Art would have just prevailed even if his rival hadn't hit the deck. In the post-race interview Conor said that he would have won anyway - I guess that is the confidence of youth! Anyway he clearly has a good rapport with the horse and the partnership are now unbeaten in four starts.
- Friday, 07 October 2011 07:00
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
The stable went close with a few placed runners at Exeter yesterday. I thought that Shallow Bay put up a sound performance at Exeter on his hurdling debut when only narrowly finding the 119 rated Numen too good. The winner had plenty of previous experience (over hurdles and fences) so it was a promising first effort from our four year old...I am sure that there will be plenty of hurdle races to be won with him. Soulard also put up a very good performance when chasing home the well-treated Mauritino - on this evidence he looks to be more than capable of winning a handicap hurdle, let's just hope that the handicapper does not over-react!
- Thursday, 06 October 2011 07:33
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
I thought that Great Mates performed creditably at Ludlow yesterday when making his debut for the yard. He was only beaten 5 1/4 lengths and faced a very difficult task in trying to concede 10lbs to the winner Mauritino. Mauritino looks well ahead of the handicapper and should be followed especially if turning out again under a penalty at Exeter this afternoon. On that basis, a little race should come the way of Great Mates before too long.
- Wednesday, 05 October 2011 07:12
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
- Tuesday, 04 October 2011 07:08
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Sadly it looks as though our Indian summer has come to an end as we had had a bit of rain when I stepped outside this morning. Fortunately I have accumulated a number of photographs from the gallops over the last few days to share with you. First up we have Ladyvie who has finished in the frame on her two starts in chases since arriving in this country. She holds an entry at Exeter on Thursday in a 2m5 1/2f novices' handicap hurdle. We also have a picture of Southerness and Soulard who are also entered at the Devon track in the 2m3f handicap hurdle.
