No rest for the wicked!

Gavin Sheehan came in to school a couple of horses on Christmas Eve ready for their boxing day runs. Later in the afternoon I did the remainder of my Christmas shopping, leaving it a little late as per usual!

 

On Christmas Day we got the six horses out that were due to run over the festive period. We had hot chocolate with rum and mince pies in the tack room afterwards and everyone felt pretty Christmassy!

We had 18 people for lunch at the house, everyone joined in and we had a delicious lunch and a very good day.

 

On Boxing day I drove David Obree and Sam Waley-Cohen up to Wetherby, we had a good run and made it within three hours. Cedre Bleu ran in the Rowland Merrick, he travelled and jumped very well and looked like winning turning for home but eventually finished fourth. He ran a solid race and I would love to get him qualified for the Grand National.

 

Libeccio ran in the Juvenile at Fontwell over an extended two miles in heavy ground. Gavin had walked the course and picked the best ground to finish third only beaten 1/2l and a neck, he ran a good race and stayed on strongly. I think he will be better on better ground although he does go okay in the mud too.

 

We worked a few horses on Saturday. I was impressed by the young Brian Boru horse and Superb Story worked very well. Gowanauthat worked well, he is ready to run now and we still have a 1/2 share available in him. He was an impressive Irish Point winner in October in the fastest time of the day. He has a great attitude at home and seems like he will dig deep.

 

I was making plans to got to Leicester on Sunday but it was abandoned so only Cody Wyoming ran at Catterick. He ran a very solid race finishing second giving 19lbs to the winner. If he hadn't have made a mistake at the last ditch he may well have won.

 

On Monday we had a very hard frost but luckily Newbury had their covers down and we were able to run Seventh Sky. It was a competitive novice handicap chase, Noel Fehily rode him to jump beautifully and pinged the last in front only to be beaten by 1/2l. We got him out this morning and you wouldn't know he had a race.

 

We have had a run of seconds recently, they are all going well at home and on the racecourse but it would be nice to go one better! Champagne N Caviar will have to get his jumping on target to improve tomorrow at Warwick. Other possible runners include Superb Story at Mussleburgh on New Years Day, I would prefer not to head up there as there are a few winners in the race but it is the course with the best ground which I think he needs and I have to get a run into him soon. It would be nice to get the new year off to a winning one with him!

Hunting On....

On Wednesday I was picked up by Michael Bowlby and Simon Marsh to go down to Dorset for a days hunting with the Portman. Michael Bowlby has been Senior Master with the Old Berks and was wearing his pink coat, Simon was very well mounted and I was on Katya's horse JP. We got to the first hedge and rail where Bowlby's horse refused much to our amusement, then we jumped a large wire fence on to a road and Marsh's horse jumped big and left while he went right and ended up in the ditch. By this time I was in hysterics and was looking forward to the drive home with the two of them as my horse was jumping brilliantly and the day was continuing to go well for me. At one of the last covers we were in a wood when JP suddenly decided to take off with me, when a horse runs a way with you with you in a wood the one thing you do know is that with the law of averages you are highly likely to hit a tree. I ended up on the floor lying there feeling that I was dead, fortunately someone caught the horse and I got to my feet and back on board, I even had to jump a fence out of the wood we were in. We then went back tot he horse box for the most delicious tea from our hosts. During the two and  half hour journey back I stiffened up so much I could barely walk to my front door.

 

On Thursday morning I couldn't even get out of bed let alone go to the yard or the office. I was on a lot of pain killers and black and blue from my foot to my shoulder on one side. Unlike AP I don't bounce as well as I used to. I managed to get out and about on Friday and watched two lots before heading to Ascot even though I was very stiff. We ran Bridal Suite in the first, he ran okay and will be better for a handicap mark.

 

I watched them work on Saturday morning, Superb Story went the best yet, he is improving every day. The young Brian Boru worked in the middle of two horses and is learning how to gallop. He is now a big horse and I like him very much. My secretary got run away with on the walking track down to the gallops so came up by herself rather red in the face!

 

I had a days shooting in Lambourn on Saturday with Charlie Nugent. I hobbled around the best I could but I was still rather sore which was a good excuse for my shooting!

 

On Sunday I went to Lingfield with Foxy. Portmonarch ran a fairly lifeless race to finish fourth after stopping three out. We ran a very nice bumper horse called Murray Mount in the all weather bumper, he ran a nice race to finish second after AP just got the run on us turning for home.

 

I watched two lots on Monday and took the kids Christmas shopping in Newbury. We had the lads and builders Christmas drinks in the house later that evening. Katya did a great job preparing some lovely nibbles and every one had a jolly time.

 

We did the declarations for Boxing Day this morning. Cedre Bleu runs at Wetherby with Sam Waley-Cohen up again. Sands Cove goes to Market Rasen, he has been dropped a class and is top weight in the handicap chase so our conditional Tommy Dowling will ride to take ten pounds off. Libeccio runs at Fontwell in the Juvenile hurdle with Gavin Sheehan, it is very soft there and over an extended 2 miles we will have to see if he gets the trip but he will be ridden more handy than his first run.  Looking ahead at the weekend we might have a couple at Chepstow on Saturday then Cody Wyoming at Catterick on Sunday.

New Model

Last Tuesday was a very busy day with a host of photgraphers and models doing a photoshoot for Lavenham Jackets. They were in the yard and office all day and both myself and our lads featured in some of the shots! I am hoping we will have some nice pictures of the string going up the gallops, which you may see in time and even the models Camilla Henderson, Verity Murphy and Drew Holmes rode out with us.

 

 

 

In between shots we ran a nice mare called Native Explorer, she was having her first run over hurdles on very bad ground at Uttoxeter but managed a credible effort to stay on for fourth.

 

On Wednesday I watched the horses work, Murray Mount, Portmonarch and Superb Story all worked well together on the Back of the Hill gallop. After this I drove to Dorset for my ex-mother-in-laws memorial service. I bumped into a lot of old friends and it was a good turn out for her.

We only schooled a couple on Thursday with Noel Fehily and our conditional Tommy. Superb Story had his second pop over the big hurdles and was given a lead by the improving Portmonarch.

 

Katya and I went racing to Warwick on Thursday where we had three runners, we also had two runners at Taunton. At Warwick Libeccio was dropped in at the back of the field and was never really put in the race, he jumped well and should be more competitive next time. Attimo was very disappointing, I thought he was our main chance of the day. He didn't jump and never looked happy which I put down to the ground which must have been too soft for him. We ran a lovely horse called Royal Redemption in a competitive novice hurdle, he ran a super race to finish second. He is a horse for the future and will come into his own on better ground and over a fence. On the way he should win a novice hurdle.

 

At Taunton Nimbus Gale ran a very good race to finish third in a three mile novice hurdle, he needed every inch of the trip and hopefully should be winning fairly soon. he jumps so well we are excited to seem him over a fence in time. Seventh Sky ran a really good race to finish fourth in an extremely competitive novice handicap chase, he was only beaten two lengths by the winner so I was happy with his performance.

 

On Friday we had a very busy day cleaning up around the new cottages I have built as the tenants will be moving in soon. I will be glad when it is all finished as it hasn't been easy keeping the builders in check! In the evening we had a drink in the old Malt Shovel which is now called the Mill House, it has had face lift and should now be somewhere to take owners who come for lunch.

 

We had 3 red letter days and Richard and Penny Green in for breakfast and a morning on the gallops on Saturday, it was lovely day and all the horses worked well. Superb Story worked very well and Gowanauthat flew up. The unnamed Brian Boru has grown a lot recently and is definitely going the right way. Katya took Mr Big to Larkhill point-to-point for one of our lads Johnny to have his first spin round. Unfortunately they did not managed to get round after parting company at he fourth last, they would have been placed if they had completed as only four of the thirteen starters finished. Listening to Katya's commentary over the phone it sounded like the Grand National!

 

We have had a lovely new French horse arrive from the Cheltenham sales, it has been sent to us by David Fox. He looks a nice type so hopefully we can do something with him and it is great to have David on board.

 

I rode out two nice horses on Monday, Murray Mount and Big Jer and again this morning on Gownaauthat and Superb Story. Yesterday I had lunch in the Outside Chance pub in Manton with some friends and then on to Toby Balding memorial service at Marlborough College Chapel. There was an enormous turn out and I am sure Toby would have been very pleased. He was wonderful man and he will be greatly missed.

 

We have a fairly quite week just with a Bridal Suite running at Ascot on Friday as his owner is hosting a Christmas works party which I am looking forward to! On Sunday it is likely that both Portmonarch and Murray Mount will run at Lingfield. With the lack of runners I may take the time to go hunting on Katya's horse with Portman on Wednesday so I did a little bit of jumping practice this morning!

 

 

 

Superb Story will hopefully be out shortly and will run in the same colours as Verano pictured below at Cheltenham.

 

 

Giants Big Jer and Cedre Bleu impress

I went racing to Ludlow with Tony Stapleton and Barney Windsor-Clive on Wednesday to watch Sands Cove run. Barneys family not only own the course but they also have about 8,000 acres surrounding it so we had lunch in the Ludlow food centre and then had a tour around the estate. Sands Cove ran in the 2 mile chase, quite honestly he didn't run as badly as we first thought, the ground was on the quick side and the distance to short but it was great to see his jumping back to its best.

 

Gavin Sheehan and Mark Grant came in to school some horses on Thursday morning. Cedre Bleu schooled over the practice national fences and was very good. The juvenile horses also jumped the big hurdles and have improved enormously.

 

On Thursday I met up with Jill Mayo and went to Leicester to watch Big Jer in his first novice chase. We weren't expecting to much from him as he hasn't run for almost two years. He jumped very well and under a lovely ride from Jason Maguire he managed to win by 2 lengths. A lot of credit for his win must go to Vasyl who has been riding him out every day. He is a massive horse who is only now looking as though he fills his frame, hopefully he will continue to improve with age.

 

 

 

 

Champagne N Caviar ran at Wincanton, I was hoping with the extra schooling we have done that his jumping would have improved but he still managed to demolish every fence dropping him back in the order to 6th.

 

We ran Lambro at Sandown on Friday, he pulled up as he bled quite badly. It is a concern but I hoping we can find away round it. I really like the little horse and I think we could still have some fun with him. He will have a little break and give him some time to get over his races and go from there.

 

On Saturday I was very lucky to get a lift up to Aintree with my jockeys parents in law! Bertie and Serena Ballin are Sam Waley-Cohens parents in law and live locally to me in Upper Lambourn at the foot of the gallops. I took a friend of mine down to the chair for the Beecher Chase as it is always the most exciting place to be as you can get very close to the action. We had Cedre Bleu running in the Grand Sefton so again I took his owners down to the chair for the race, I have never seen a horse stand so far off the fence and clear it by so far! He went round the rest of the course as though it was hurdle track! Sam gave him a beautiful ride, if you had thrown the kitchen sink at him after the last he wasn't going to go any faster. He was a very good second, I wish there was a race over the fences every day of the year as I haven't seen a horse jump as well as him. He will head back to Aintree in April for either the Topham or the Grand National itself, Sam will most likely keep the ride although I would be very tempted to get my license back out to ride him!

 

Bridal Suite also ran on Saturday at Chepstow, he looked a little one paced and couldn't quite go with the leaders but he should get a handicap mark tomorrow and we will go from there.

 

We are sending Native Explorer to Uttoxeter tomorrow for her first hurdle race. She is a natural jumper but will have to handle the ground. I expect we will have a busy day on Thursday at Warwick and Taunton, where amongst the runners I hope to have Attimo and Nimbus Gale having their second outings.

Charlie Mann Racing Club celebrates their second win with Cody Wyoming

We had a busy morning on Wednesday as we had a lot of owners for breakfast and in to watch second lot. Jenny Pitman was amongst them as she came to see the horses work as well. I used to ride for Jenny years ago so it was nice to get her down and show her the horses we have. She rang me up later that evening to say how impressed she was with the quality of the horses we have, it was a very nice phone call to receive indeed. Unfortunately I cant really report how the horses worked as it was so foggy. I only saw them for a brief moment but jockeys reported that they all went well despite almost going round the bowl due to not being able to see any of the markers!

 

On Thursday morning we schooled with Noel, David Crosse and Harry Bannister. They all jumped nicely and Noel gave Harry some advice on how to get Champagne N Caviar jumping well. We also schooled Super Story for the first time, he just had a pop over the barrels in the arena. He is a lovely French import who has run on the flat but seems to have picked up the jumping fairly quickly.

 

Later in the morning I drove to Taunton where Cody Wyoming won his second chase, he did however run very lazy in front almost giving the race away a couple of times.  Jason Maguire gave him a good ride and it was the second win for our Racing Club Members. If you would like more details on the CMRC then please take a look at the dedicated page on our website. We still have members spaces available.

 

We had a busy day on Saturday with owners in for first lot and nine people for breakfast and a morning on the gallops. We had runners at two meetings, Foxy went to Bangor and I went to Newbury to watch Seventh Sky. I was disappointed in how the horse ran as he was just panicking a bit and ended up being pulled up. Cody Wyoming ran again at Bangor and although very soon after Thursday he was 1/2f in a three horse race so I had to take the chance. Unfortunately his previous race took effect on him turning for home and he only managed second place. We will see what the handicapper does with him on Tuesday but regardless I am sure he is capable of winning again. Portmonarch ran in the novice hurdle. He needs one more run to qualify for a handicap mark then he might be a bit more competitive.

 

It was great day for Lambourn on Saturday with Oliver Sherwood winning the Hennessy Gold Cup with Many Clouds. I was very pleased for all those involved with the horse, it was an extremely gutsy display in testing conditions. I sure everybody celebrated with some conviction and a few sore heads still this morning!

The hunt is on

On Wednesday Superb Story arrived from France. He is  a nice looking horse with a strong head. He has decent form on the flat so we will get him schooled and see what he can do over hurdles.

 

We went to Warwick with Attimo for his first novice chase on Wednesday. It was a very hot race won by Ptit Zig, he jumped very well but wants a slightly further trip than 2m. Noel liked him and after he stayed on his handicap mark today he should win a nice race soon.

 

We schooled few horses on Thursday morning, Noel and Gavin were in as usual. We got the two young horses Libeccio and Native Explorer going well over the proper sized hurdles and this time Portmonarch did not cause any trouble! This week I see they have put the Aintree national fences up on the schooling ground so Cedre Bleu will have a pop over these.

 

We ran Bridal Suite at Wincanton on Thursday, surprisingly after all this rain I think the ground was too quick for him, Tommy reported that he did not go as well as his first run and would want it softer. he does seem to cope with racing well so we should be able to get him out whilst we still have the ground for him.

 

I rode out for the first time in a month on Friday, I have to say I quite enjoyed it! I then went racing to Ascot to watch Nimbus Gale run. We were all very pleased with his run, he was a fast finishing sixth in a very hot contest and a cheap buy compared to the other horses a head of him who were all bought for over 80k, one was worth 300k! He will improve for the run and looked as though he should be winning quite soon.

 

We have had a lot of rain on the gallops and at times it is proving difficult to be dry! It is a bit frustrating as I have a couple of horses I would like to start off but I would not want them to go out in heavy ground on their first run.

 

We had no runners on Saturday so I took the chance to go hunting with the Old Berks on Katyas horse JP. He pulled my arms out, I am surprised I wasn't stiffer than I was when I got home! Unfortunately we did not jump much but he was very good over what we did.

 

We had Veranos wind done on Thurdsay, he had a tie forward which should help him enormously. I picked him up on Sunday morning, he will have a bit more time in his box recuperating but I hope it wont take to long to get him back on the track. He is a decent horse and I think a lot of him.

 

On Monday I rode two lots, it was a lovely frosty morning with a clear blue sky. My first lot was the new horse Gowanauthat, the lads had reported that they like him a lot so I was interested to feel for myself. I found him very nice, forward and a good mover with a bit of spark about him.

 

Today we woke up to a frost again but shortly followed by rain, it hasn't been the nicest days but it has been business as usual. Second lot had a spin around the grass 'home' gallop. Nimbus Gale managed to go from last to first pretty quickly so he is none the worst for his run last week! Native Explorer is taking it all in her stride and Portmonarch is moving well and really bouncing. He has a few entries and although he does want some cut in the ground heavy going will not suit so he will run where the ground is the best.

 

Cody Wyoming has entries across the board this weekend, he will run where it cuts up the best. He is on great form at home and will handle this ground.  Seventh Sky has a few options, the Grade Two at Newbury on Saturday could be a small field but he would not be on terms with the Nicholls horse so he might have to go elsewhere.

 

Tomorrow is our work morning so I pair up the horses that are most suited to one another and they will go upsides in pairs at a faster gallop which gets a good blow into them to increase their fitness. Those that ran at the end of last week will only do a half speed but there is still plenty to be getting on with.

Paddy Power

We worked horses on the grass last Wednesday but we have not been allowed on it since as it has been 'too wet', the Jockey Club don't like us using the grass when we have had so much rain! I was happy with how all the horses went.

Cedre Bleu left, Attimo  on the right

Noel Fehily and Gavin Sheehan came in to school on Thursday morning, while we were changing the jockeys around my new assistant Foxy got double barrelled by a horse and was lying flat out on the ground. Luckily he was alright bar the hoof imprint on his face and we managed to catch both horses before they got to the bottom of the gallops. So I didn't get to see many school but I have heard from the jockeys that Attimo jumped very well over a fence and the young horses were good over the baby hurdles for the first time.

 

 I drove Noel Fehily to Ludlow at midday, Noel was riding Murray Mount in the bumper and Daryl Jacob on Cody Wyoming in the handicap chase. Cody made all the running again, the only mistake he made was at the 3rd last leaving him demoted to second place. I thought he ran a very nice race and we are all very pleased with him. There are more spaces available in the 'Charlie Mann Racing Club' that leases Cody so please get in touch if you are interested in membership. Murray Mount is a lovely horse that we ran in the bumper. He ran a very good race in ground that was a little soft for him, he finished 6th but a long way clear of the chasing pack. Noel really liked him and I think he will make into a lovely horse.

 

On Friday it poured down with rain in the morning and we all got soaked. I drove Tony Stapleton racing and had a lovely lunch with all of Lambros owners at Cheltenham. He ran in the Cross Country race but he definitely does not stay the trip, this will rule out the cross country  races for him in the future so we will go back to the drawing board to find a suitable race for him. He jumps and tries so hard he will be sure to pick up a race.

 

On Saturday morning we once again had a house full for a lovely breakfast cooked by Katya. Everyone headed to Cheltenham for our two runners and another lovely lunch with all the owners. Verano ran in the first race of the day a handicap hurdle. I thought he was well handicapped and on the basis he settled more than at Ascot he could be in the frame. Unfortunately I could tell straight away there was something up as he faded quickly along the back straight. He will have an over ground scope tomorrow so I will know more then.

 

Cedre Bleu ran a cracking race in the Paddy Power, he was travelling really well two out making us all miss a heart beat! However a slight mistake at the penultimate he used it as a bit of an excuse not go with the leading horses. He is a frustrating horse but very talented all the same. He will have his day soon and has been entered over the National fences in December.

 

 

 

Cedre Bleu two fences from home.

 

 

On Sunday I went to Fontwell, Champagne N Caviar entered in his first chase ridden by Harry Bannister and Lord of House in the Salmon Spray hurdle. Although Champagne N Caviar clobbered a few fences he ran a very sound race to finish 2nd. On the back of this he should be able to win a race or two. Lord Of House had his forst run in a while, he was a well beaten 4th but he will come on for the run. The aim is to get him back over fences.

 

I ran a new horse called Miller Of Glanmire at Plumpton yesterday, he finished 4th but I ran him over the wrong distance especially in the heavy ground. He wants dropping back in trip. He was ridden by my new conditional Tommy Dowling.

 

I managed to buy a new horse at Arqana Sales yesterday called Superb Story, he is a 3yo who has won on the flat for Johnathan Pease. There was a bit of English jumps interest for him and having done some research on him previous to the sales I think he will do the job. He has been bought for Tony Holt and John Robinson who are members of the Hennessy Five Partnership.

 

It has been a long week and although I was hoping a winner may emerge from the talented bunch that ran I am sure they all will, we did at least have five best turned out prizes that keeps Iffy in bread and milk and shows what a good job the staff do in getting them looking fit and well and most importantly all the horses have come home safe and sound.

 

 

Grass is the name of the game!

I drove up to Doncaster Sales on Tuesday and sold Almost Gemini as he had not progressed how I had hoped. I had a look at the horses offered for sale and thought that there was a lot better value compared to the week before at Tattersalls. I bought a nice horse called Gowanauthat (Ire), he won a point-to-point in Ireland at the beginning of October in the fastest time of the day. He is a good looking type who I hope will have a career under rules.

 

We worked a few horses on Wednesday, Verano and Lord of House went well together as did Portmonarch and Nimbus Gale. I then went racing to Chepstow to watch Bridal Suite. I gave my new conditional Thomas Dowling the ride, they both got on very well and finished 6th.

 

On Thursday we schooled 3 lots with Noel Fehily, Gavin Sheehan and Harry Bannister as well as Tommy and Johnny. Among them we schooled Lord of House, Champagne N Caviar, Attimo and Big Jer over fences. Nimbus Gale and Portmonarch also schooled well over hurdles. 3rd lot we schooled some babies over the barrels for the first time in the arena. As you can see from the videos posted they both jump well.

 

On Thursday night I went to Cath Walwyns 86th birthday party, it was nice to congratulate Austin Powers aka Jamie Osborne on Toast of New York success at the Breeders Cup, it is great for the sport to have such a good English runner and also great promotion for Lambourn's gallops.

 

We went up the grass gallops on Friday morning, the horses thoroughly enjoyed it. On Saturday we also worked the horses on the grass on the back of the hill gallop. Lots of owners came in to watch so it was a rather jolly morning and katya cooked a lovely breakfast for us all. Cedre Bleu worked very well with Attimo. Lambro loved going up the grass and went very well on the bridal all the way to the top. No Bad News impressed with his first bit of work on the grass, he is a lovely young horse with a great attitude. Miller of Glanmire showed a nice turn of foot and looks as though he is now ready to run.

 

We took Murray Mount out of the Wincaton bumper on Saturday. Having driven to the races with his owner we watched a few races and decided the ground looked a little to soft for him and we would wait for another day.

 

On Sunday I drove all the way to Market Rasen with Tony Stapleton, I was hoping we would have at least one winner but it was not to be. We ran Seventh Sky in a novice handicap chase, the ground was very soft and although he jumped very well he just did not get home on that ground. Sands Cove ran in the 2m handicap chase, he never featured and didn't jump very well which is most unlike him. He came back in lame with a suspected pulled muscle. It was a long drive home.  Sands Cove seems none the worst today but he will see the chiropractor at evening stables who should set straight anything that's amiss.

 

We were on the grass again on Monday, all the horses were very fresh, Kryrl on Lord Of House has arms two inches longer now!

 

I have been trying to find horses for sale in various different countries for the passed couple of weeks. Nothing has taken my eye so far as there is no real value or the horses are just not good enough, I will be going to Brightwells on Friday so hopefully my luck will change.

 

I took Lambro to Cheltenham this morning, Mark Grant rode him over parts of the cross country course to give him a look at the fences He jumped beautifully and might well take his chance in the Cross Country race on Friday. He has come out of the Pardubice bouncing and although we didn't have to school him as he was already qualified on the back of his Czech run I thought it would be a nice confidence boost and its is always worth taking a look at the fences.

 

Cody Wyoming should go to Ludlow on Thursday and possibly Murray Mount. Verano and Cedre Bleu have entries at Cheltenham on Saturday and although they have entries else where this is the preferred option at this stage. Lord of House could run in the Salmon Spray on Sunday and  Miller of Glanmire has been entered at Plumpton on Monday. Nimbus Gale, Attimo and Champagne N Caviar all have various entries.

Videos of todays schooling with 2 babies

We schooled Libeccio and Native Explorer over some barrels in the school this morning. It was their first time jumping. I was very impressed with them both. The filly Native Explorer (2nd) is jumping bred which showed in her natural technique.

Lessons learnt

I hit terrible traffic on the way up to Wetherby on Friday that I only just made it in time to see Cedre Bleu. Unfortunately I got the tactics completely wrong, we tried to make the running with him which was a great pity as it was a fairly soft race which he was more than capable of winning. I suppose we did learn that we cant make the running with him and that he does need the blinkers!

 

On Saturday we worked most of the horses. Portmonarch is going better now he is strengthening up. Miller of Glanmire worked well, the conditional jockey schooled him on Thursday and told me how impressed he was with his jumping. Lord of House worked nicely but just needs the rain. Murray Mount worked very well, he is ready to run in a bumper and showed that he might be capable of winning one. Royal Redemption worked well, he was hard to pull up at the top so I should think he will stay all day.

 

The two young horses No Bad News and the Brian Boru did two half speed canters, they both impressed me. No Bad News is a year older and for this a stronger horse, he wont take to much to get ready.

 

We went to Ascot on Saturday and had a nice lunch with the Kempners in their box. I ran Verano in a very hot handicap hurdle, he ran too keen but considering this he didn't disgrace himself. I think I could have found an easier race for him fors time out. He jumped a little left again so I will definatly look to run him left handed and he should be a lot better for it next time out.

 

I have a couple of entries this week, Bridal Suite should run at Chepstow on Wednesday if he gets in and Murray Mount will run where the ground is best. When the entries come out for the weekend I will have a  better idea of what the weekends runners may look like.

 

Cody Wyoming makes up for a disappointing sales

I drove to Newmarket very early on Tuesday morning with the hope of buying at least 3 horses. I had two fairly decent orders and I also had Paul Mott with me who was on the look out for a nice Filly. On Tuesday James Main offered me Hector's Chance, he has won 4 races on the flat. He looks as though he might go well hurdling and is only one run off getting a mark. I spent Wednesday and Thursday trying to buy horses. There were too many foreign buyers, all the horses the jump trainers wanted were bought by Australian and Middle Eastern buyers. It was disappointing that there wasn't any value at this sale, most types that were suitable to me made 50% more than they were worth.

 

We ran Area Access at Ffos Las on Tuesday. He ran a nice race to finish fourth, he might have gone one better had he not missed the last. He will come on a bit from his run and should go well next time out.

 

Yesterday we ran Cody Wyoming at Stratford. He was backed off the boards from 12-1 to 3-1f. Cody duly came up with the goods, he jumped very well and won nicely. There are still shares in the Charlie Mann Racing Club at only £360 a year - if you haven't bought your self a Christmas present yet then sign up!

 

I am driving up to Wetherby today to watch Cedre Bleu run in the listed handicap chase. We are hoping he runs a decent race. I am not sure you can improve a horse from Paul Nicholls but sometimes when these horses move yards they can sweeten up a little bit.

 

Verano runs at Ascot tomorrow in the listed handicap hurdle, he carries 9-7. I decided that Harry Bannister should take the ride so that with his 7lb claim the horse carries the correct weight. 

'Morning on the Gallops' Red Letter Day Experience

We still have spaces available for Saturday 15th November for our 'Morning on the gallops' experience.

https://www.redletterdays.co.uk/Experience/Ref/ITHJO/The-Inside-Track-To-Horse-Racing

Join us for a cracking breakfast on  the morning of the Paddy Power Gold Cup, watch the Morning Line and discuss possible winners for the day before heading out for some crisp fresh air to watch the string being put through their paces behind the scenes on the gallops. With Cheltenham only 45 mins away it is just a quick car journey on to the races for the reminder of the day.

See horses like Murray Mount close up on the gallops.

Other Wednesdays and Saturdays in November and December available to book.

Working well

We worked most of the horses on Saturday morning, first lot worked up the 'bank' and second lot went on the 'back of the hill' gallop. Cedre Bleu worked well with Verano again, both horses are fit and ready to go so it is just a case now of finding the right race for them. Murray Mount worked very well and was paired with Lord Of House which gave them the proper blow they needed. Murray Mount is not far off a run, he will run first in another bumper or two before progressing to hurdles. Lord of House will be kept sweet and fit ready for the rain to come as he does really perform best in soft to heavy ground so he will be saved for this.

 

Nimbus Gale worked well with Portmonarch, they were both doing their best bit over the brow of the hill which can be difficult for some horses. Portmornarch has been looking rather poor but we have put him on some stomach care treatments and changed his feed so he seems to be making a turn around not showing any sign weakness in his piece of work.

 

 

 

Bridal Suite worked well with Area Access, they both have very similar game attitudes, they really try hard on the gallops. I like Bridal Suite a lot, he reminds me of Who Owns Me and Area Access and hopefully can win a few to be as good as them. Area Access runs tomorrow at Ffos Las, he didn't really fire until the end of last season but he is far better than he was this time last year so he should keep on improving. It has been difficult to decide what trip to start him over as he has won over 2m 3f and 3m 3f, we have started at 3m and will see how that fairs!

 

The young horses are coming along very well, No Bad News, Run To The Rhythm and the unnamed Brian Boru are going very nicely, really growing up in the past month. They are strong forward types that wont take much to come to hand. They have all done little bits of work and have been doing plenty of cantering upsides with the older horses to get them used to the hustle and bustle that they will experience in a race.

 

Sureness has gone on her holiday, she deserves a break after a busy year not to mention her four wins! She will hopefully come back for the Cheltenham Festival and continue to run into  the summer on the fast ground that she prefers. We have a new filly in from Robert Tompkins called Native Explorer, she is the half sister to a good horse I trained to win a bumper called Gallox Bridge.

 

I am off to the sales first thing in the morning to look at potential horses for a couple of owners. I have made a few shortlists which fit the criteria's  I have been given. There are some smart types on form that I am excited about, however I really do like to take a good look at them to make sure they look the right type too before I make any decisions. It is generally a competitive sale so I hope I have some luck on my side and manage to get the horses I want for the right money.

A Sky of relief.

We had a big lunch at The George for Monday Lunch Club, it was our first time there under the new landlord Oli Taggart. In the afternoon Seventh Sky ran at Plumpton in a Novice H'cap Chase. He jumped beautifully and making the running he won really nicely. It has only taken me 3 years to get the right trip for him but it looks now that I have found the most suitable one! Hopefully he should come on for his run and with any luck he wont get crucified by the handicapper.

 

We had plenty of horses working on Wednesday, Cedre Belu and Verano worked very nicely together. Murray Mount worked very well and is maturing with every bit he does. Bridal Suite and Miller of Glanmire both look ready to run. Area Access is quite forward and should run next week. Nimbus Gale is in good form and works consistently well.

 

We schooled nine horses first lot on Thursday with Mark Grant, Gavin Sheehan, Tom Garner and our new conditional from Ireland Tommy Dowling. Cody Wyoming doesn't look to be showing any of his hesitancy he had in his last 2 runs, his jumping is foot perfect. Cedre Bleu and Miller of Glanmire jumped fences well. Verano had his first school, he shows plenty of scope being very happy to go for a long one with great ease.

 

This morning we took the horses on the grass for the first time. They loved going on the 'home' gallop with one or two of them wanting to go a bit faster than the others! A few lands have longer arms than they did this morning!  Also during the week we had Oli Bell in from RUK to film a preview on a horse for the season and interview me on a few others. It will be aired in the build up to the Paddy Power Meeting so look out for what I have to say.

 

We have no runners this weekend, Cedre Bleu was entered for the Old Roan Chase at Aintree on Saturday but it looked to be a very competitive race and there is two opportunities for him next weekend so I will look at these instead.

Pardubice in Pictures