- Sunday, 18 September 2011 00:00
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It's been ten days without any jump racing but it seems more like ten weeks to me! At last we are back in business with a couple of meetings at Plumpton and Uttoxeter. We have runners at both meetings and Tom Scudamore has elected to go to Plumpton to ride Bathwick Scanno, Arab League, Ladyvie and Surfboard, while Conor O'Farrell picks up the ride on American Art and Taratata Sivola at Uttoxeter and Timmy Murphy rides Teshali. We look to have some sound chances so we will be keeping fingers firmly crossed for a good day.
- Saturday, 17 September 2011 07:19
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
I thought the stable's runners performed creditably on the flat at Newbury yesterday afternoon, particularly Togiak who finished fourth, beaten only 6 lengths behind comeback horse Dubai Prince. The Godolphin owned winner was making a successful reappearance after recovering from a fracture in the pelvic region - he won in good style and stretched his unbeaten run to three. Winning jockey Kieren Fallon was clearly very impressed and claimed "he has the most beautiful action, I think a mile and a quarter will be his trip". If Fallon says that, he is obviously a bit special.
We have another runner on the flat at Newmarket this afternoon, Big Occasion in the Cesarewitch Trial. He makes his debut for us under Jim Crowley and he was a decent performer in Ireland - he is one of three that we have left in the Cesarewitch on October 8th, the others being Beyond and Tasheba.
- Friday, 16 September 2011 07:18
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
The jumping boys will be back in action this Sunday at Plumpton and Uttoxeter after their ten day break. The yard has entries at both meetings and I am looking forward to a few runners - it has only been ten days but it seems a lot longer than that to me. I used to enjoy it back in the day when they had the summer break before resuming racing at Newton Abbot in August. All of the jockeys would stay at the Palace Hotel in Torquay...I bet Francome and Smith-Eccles could tell a few stories about that hotel!
- Thursday, 15 September 2011 07:26
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
I notice that in today's Racing Post The Dikler is talking about a French race called the Prix Weather Permitting. He then goes on to say that Weather Permitting was a point to pointer in the West Country and on 17th May 1795, sorry I mean 1975 at Bishopsleigh in Devon he won a point to point to give a young (30 year old amateur) his one and only success in the saddle. It was of course MCP, but what the Dikler doesn't mention is that I don't think the rest of the field could have been trying too hard for Martin to win...or at least that's what I tell anyone who will listen! At the height of his training career Martin would probably have managed to get Weather Permitting to win a Champion Hurdle!
- Wednesday, 14 September 2011 07:02
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
I can't wait for there to be a bit of jumping back on the television, but in the meantime we have declared a couple of runners on the level for Newbury on Friday. Togiak has been declared for the 1m1f conditions stakes and I managed to get a picture of him completing his build-up on the gallops - we have also declared Shallow Bay ahead of his debut for the yard and he will be ridden by title chasing Kieren Fallon. While I was on the gallops I was also able to get a shot of exciting ex-French recruit Top Wood - he showed some decent form in the French provinces and looks a nice prospect.
- Tuesday, 13 September 2011 07:05
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
And we wonder why we struggle to get people to go racing?...Yesterday marks another wonderful example of racing's inability to deal with the general public (and potential regular racegoers). Unfortunately owing to high winds the card at Musselburgh had to be abandoned after just one race (or 12% of the card) - did the racegoers get a full refund? Of course they didn't, in fact they were reimbursed only half the entrance fee! I know that there are plenty of expenses incurred to put on a race meeting, but why should the public foot the bill for it? If I were a first time punter that had to cough up that sort of money to see one race, I would certainly think twice before attending again...come on Musselburgh, do the decent thing!
- Monday, 12 September 2011 07:22
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Watching the football, I didn't think that Bolton played that badly on Saturday, yet were still thrashed 5-0 by Manchester United. Rooney (with his new syrup of figs) was outstanding and scored an amazing hat-trick...if it makes you perform like that everyone should get a new syrup! I can just see United fan Tony Lomas jumping up and down with his rattle every five minutes - I bet the people in the next seats are getting fed up with him! It looks like only Manchester City can give them a game this season.
