Jeffrey at Sandown

         Golden Jeffrey runs at Sandown

Today we have our first stable runner of the week, Golden Jeffrey runs on the flat at Sandown this evening.  He runs in the last race on the card at 8pm, a 1m6f handicap 0-70.  Rossa Ryan is having his first ride on our seven year old who is having only his second start for the yard himself.  He is a multiple winner on the flat and over jumps but he has been a bit below par of late.  He disappointed on stable debut at Doncaster over hurdles in January but the ground may have been too soft for him that day and he should appreciate today’s quicker conditions.  It looks to be a wide open race and Golden Jeffrey looks to have a good each way chance.

There is jumps racing from Uttoxeter today and while Tom Scudamore and David Noonan are in action the stable does not have any runners at the track is the ground is described as good, good to firm in places.  There are nine races on the card and the action gets underway at 12.15pm.  This week is the first time some of the younger jockeys who claim in races have been allowed to ride.  Conditionals such as Bryan Carver and Welsh National winning jockey Jack Tudor both have their first rides back today.  From next week the restrictions are relaxed a little more and things are more like normal and normal qualifications for riding apply.  This means that our young amateur Fergus Gillard will be allowed to be back in action from next Monday.  He rode 13 winners last season and is planning to turn conditional this summer.  In normal circumstances he would have already taken the necessary course and he would be a professional already but because of restrictions this has unfortunately been delayed.  He can still ride as an amateur for now and will then turn conditional as soon as all paperwork has been done. 

Another point relating to jockeys riding at the moment is the fact that they have only been allowed to ride at one meeting in a day and there is now a call from some to keep this as a permanent change going forward.  I can see arguments from both sides but surely it is allowing more jockeys more opportunities which can only be good for the sport?  Several jockeys seem to be getting rides for many different trainers that normally they would not ride for.  There are also the added health benefits of jockeys not being so tired and stressed and travelling hundreds of extra miles in a week to dash from one meeting to another.  Time will tell if this will be kept as a rule but looking in from the outside it seems like a good move. 

There is also flat racing from Hamilton this afternoon, while in Ireland; Leopardstown gets underway at 4.15pm.  David’s next runners after today are at the weekend.  Lady Reset and Yaa Salaam have entries at Southwell on Sunday.