Mon Michel was pulled out on Sunday as we were unhappy about the ground. It was getting firmer by the hour and we didn’t want to risk him on it. He’ll probably come out on either Wednesday or Saturday. Thunderbolt Jaxon goes tonight at Wolverhampton in what looks a pretty low grade race. He goes well on the home gallops …
Mon Michel
Adam Eterno ran a stinker, coming stone last. Kerrin McEvoy said he “ran green” – maybe so but for now I’m assuming that he’s pretty useless, which I can live with as I was assuming that anyway and the other two with Brian are looking decent. All things considered Captain Hurricane ran ok – a step forward in his rehabilitation. …
Thoughts for the weekend
A bad day’s betting today, perhaps stemming from the fact that I don’t have the time to do my research properly. I spoke to Pete in the morning – he thought Polar Circle had a great chance but he was concerned about her temperament. He said Declaration of War (Newm 4:40) also goes well, but currently isn’t quite the calibre …
Roll on the Derby
Authorized was stunning today and it’s going to take a very good one to lower his colours in the Derby. In the end I decided to back him, and the result was never in doubt – he could be a very special horse. No runners today but a couple on Saturday – Adam Eterno and Captain Hurricane are both declared …
Less is more
Dante day dawns, and with it some excellent racing, but for the most part I think I’ll be spectator rather than speculator. In the Middleton the highly touted Anna Pavlova takes centre stage and a strong run appears expected. In the Dante Authorized makes his seasonal bow amid high expectation – I know Pete thinks the world of the horse, …
Rock me Amadeus
Shawhill showed again what a game filly she is without getting her head in front. The ground was totally different to anything she had encountered to date, but she dealt with it well. She blew a lot more than last time and she’s due a rest. I’ve had a chat with Tom – we’ll give her longer breaks between races …
New Recruit
I claimed a filly called Shepherd’s Warning from Thirsk on Saturday night – the first time I have ever claimed a 2yo. She will be trained by Nicky Vaughan, who is training at Michael Owen’s yard – they will have their first runner in the next few weeks. Nicky reports her to be “sweet and good natured, but very light”. …
A long week
The end of a long week. King’s Head didn’t win, but after the rain I didn’t expect him to and I didn’t have a penny on him – for some reason he was heavily punted. Crimson Monarch didn’t stay. Ger Butler proved that he is very much in form, winning Highland Legacy’s race with a 20-1 shot and landing a …
King’s Head
King’s Head goes to Wincanton tonight to try to open his account over hurdles. We took him back to the flat last time, but there were technical reasons for doing that – if he had won a hurdle before May 1 (the beginning of the new jumps year) he would have lost his novice status, and that lasts for the …
Showing form
Another winner for the string and my betting form is still very solid. Prince Ary won easily and posted the best time of the night – he finished tired but he appeared to stay the slightly longer distance. Hernando Royal was a well backed and easy winner. The bet that got away was Potentiale in the last at Beverley, who …