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Richard's
Blog
Just one runner today with Fleetstone making her hurdling debut at Plumpton. A homebred of Sue Welch's she would not have appreciated the ground but it was good to give her some experience. She jumped well and over a trip on better ground, I'm sure will show improvement. Fleetstone is a half sister to Trigger The Light and See The Light, two useful types and it would be great to get her in the winners enclosure before she goes to be a brood mare.
With Chepstow's card abandoned on Saturday, it gave Eustace Theodore and I an opportunity to go and see his young stock at Highwood Stud, just outside Chipping Norton. Our former inmate What A Vintage, has produced three Kayf Tara foals and hopefully they look winners in the making. We also have two American yearlings that we purchased that are now four years of age and we look forward to seeing what they are made of in the autumn.
With Crackerjac Boy not running at Chepstow on Saturday, The Someday's Here Partnership have decided that they will accept any offers for him to go as a pointer, riding or competition horse, so any of you who know anyone who would be interested, please don't hesitate to be in touch.
King Jack ran a fine race at Huntingdon yesterday on ground that would have been from ideal. He was up with the pace all the way and stayed on to be beaten eight lengths by the progressive winner. In this sort of form, he should be winning for us this spring.
Crackerjac Boy failed to build on his promise at Towcester and tomorrow will sport some headgear in the two mile novice handicap hurdle at Chepstow. Giovanna found the going at Sandown too heavy today but I am sure she will be fine once the spring ground appears.
However we had a pleasant day at Sandown today, with our American owner Eustace Theodore. Eustace and I were discussing what a great experience Sandown is and good on them on providing wholesome soup and a tasty hog roast for all owners. Also a plus, they don't provide us with laminated tickets offering us a free cup of coffee but one only.
Also at Sandown was Paul Duffy a shareholder in Diamond Harry. His horse is a leading fancy for this year's Gold Cup having won the Hennessy impressively. I have known Paul for some years and he had shares in Bullfinch and Another General with us, both horses winning many races for him.
Eustace and I were greatly amused yesterday in the paddock when Warren Marston came out to ride Crackerjac Boy. As Warren went to take his mount, Eustace generously said to Warren , “bring him home safely,” to which Warren replied, “what about me?”
Eustace has once again travelled over from America to see his horses run. With Crackerjac Boy having an off day, Warren had plenty of time to think what he was going to say to his enthusiastic owner. On taking the saddle off, he turned to Eustace and said “I wouldn't spend a lot of time coming from America to watch this run again.”
Great to see Pak Jack get his head in front at Wetherby yesterday. Thanks to the soft ground, he was able to dictate from the front and went on again every time a horse came to his girths. Richard Johnson got some fine leaps from him and hopefully this will give him confidence to win again.
Good For Blue could not cope with the very heavy ground and we will try him on a better surface.
Tomorrow we have two runners at Huntingdon, King Jack in the three mile handicap chase and Crackerjac Boy in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle. Hopefully King Jack will be able to cope with the ground at Huntingdon and hopefully over three miles he will be able to get into a rhythm. He won over two and half at the course last season and will once again be ridden by Warren Marston. Crackerjac Boy will hopefully have learnt from his run at Towcester. Let us hope the penny continues to drop and he can be competitive now in handicap company - although I feel the handicapper has been far from lenient.
It was a jolly journey back from Wetherby yesterday as Mick Barnes was the only member of The Pak Jack Partnership able to attend. Back at Barnsy's favourite haunt The Fox at Lower Oddington , was Paddy Brennan who looks on Barnsy as a father figure. Like all of us, Paddy was delighted to share in Barnsy's moment of glory and luckily the champagne was on ice on arrival. It goes without saying that Barnsy is yet to appear this morning and is apparently heading towards The Fox to have a very late breakfast.
Good For Blue and Pak Jack run at Wetherby today. Both have top weight but hopefully have each way chances with Richard Johnson onboard.
This
morning we have done some schooling with Sean Quinlan and Peter
Carberry in attendance. Observing the session was top International
bloodstock agent, Geoffrey Howson with his protégé
Matthew Houldsworth and Tot Calver, part owner of Thornton Alice
and Giovanna.
Temoin ran satisfactorily today on his first run of the season at Sandown. A bit of a character to say the least, he has not been himself over the last couple of months but is now back to form and considering he missed the break due to starter error, he ran creditably. He always needs his come back run and hopefully he will be ready to run again in a few weeks time.
Last night was the annual Adlestrop Club Question Of Sport. Celebrity teams led by John Inverdale and Mark Pougatch contested a fun evening of questions set by Adlestrop Club member Eric Painting.
Among the celebrity teams were Mick Fitzgerald, Cornelius Lysaght and Andy Lloyd, whilst Robert Cooper as ever did a sterling job as quiz master. The Pougatch team beat the Inverdale team (which included yours truly) by one point. A remarkably close contest and as ever went right down to the wire.
The picture round is always a favourite among guests, and when it came to picture 42 many in the room thought it was a young Didier Drogba. There was much amusement when it was announced it was Serena Williams. We look forward to next year's contest.
Phardessa tipped up at the first at Kelso today. Travelling a bit too fast into it she just touched the top and failed to get her landing gear out but luckily both Phardessa and Sean are fine.
Tomorrow we have declared Temoin at Sandown in the 3 mile chase. A definite character, he was not quite right over Christmas and has taken time to come to hand. However he is in better form now but always needs his first run of the season and Jamie Moore rides.
Pedlars Cross was impressive enough considering the ground at Kelso this afternoon. The Champion Hurdle looks a fascinating race and I think it is one to savour rather than invest in. A far better bet for me is in the Arkle where I think the 5-1 Medermit looks value as Finian's Rainbow did not look like an Arkle winner to me at Warwick on Saturday.
All are delighted to see Thornton Alice win at Newcastle yesterday. She is a tough mare and did the job well. Lucky Sunny ran a cracker but could only manage second, with the winner carrying ten pounds less due to his conditional jockey's claim. The Snatcher and Thompson both shaped well at Folkestone and hopefully they will be winning before the end of the season.
Phardessa has been declared for Kelso tomorrow. She ran a great race on her return to the racecourse for some time at Ffos Las and hopefully she will not suffer from the bounce factor. The softer the ground the better for her and she looks to have an each way chance on her best form.
This morning was a work morning, after which we had various local part-owners of Thornton Alice popping in the office to discuss yesterday's victory. The Tomlins kindly brought in a bottle of champagne and appropriately some Thorntons chocolates – there are not many left.
The Grand National weights are out and as our ante post tips are going so well, we thought we would continue with a few. My three bets for the National are Ballabriggs at 16-1, State Of Play each way at 25-1 and Vic Venturi each way at 40-1. You heard it here first. We have four runners tomorrow, The Snatcher and Thompson at Folkestone, whilst Lucky Sunny and Thornton Alice have set off for Newcastle .
The ground at Newcastle will be pretty heavy, Lucky Sunny should cope with it and has an each way chance, whilst it is a big step up in trip for Thornton Alice but hopefully she will cope.
The Snatcher wears blinkers for the first time over hurdles and has our conditional Peter Carberry onboard. Thompson will be ridden by Richard Johnson and it will be interesting to see how he gets on following his wind operation.
A busy weekend and on Saturday morning we had a visit from Bunny Roberts and family. Bunny came to see her horse Ata Boy work. He is a handsome full brother to Australia Day and is showing potential. Yesterday morning I did my Yogi Breisner impersonation with him as he jumped a few poles and luckily, he pleased all with Sean Quinlan in the saddle.
It was great to see the Roberts family in the Cotswolds for the weekend and we had much fun and look forward to their return.
On Saturday night I was asked to do the auction at the Silks Ball at Cheltenham Racecourse thanks to some bullying from Richard Johnson and his sister in law, Eimear Chance. Amazingly, it must be a leap year as both Carl Llewellyn and Richard Johnson bought items at the auction. However Carl did not bid on the Ryan Giggs shirt as he is very jealous of the footballer as he is a popular Welshman.
We have no runners over the weekend but plenty of entries next week with hopefully a few chances. We have entered Phardessa at Kelso and hopefully she will have a chance back chasing following her excellent come back run at Ffos Las.
Last night I was kindly invited by owner Bob Scott to the Premiere League darts at the O2 Arena. Bob is on the board of the Professional Darts Corporation. Darts has a big following in racing with fanatics including Anthony Bromley, Alan King and Choc Thornton.
Phil ‘The Power' Taylor, runner up to AP in Sports Personality Of The Year looks as though he is throwing his darts with the wrong arm at the moment and it is sad to see his decline.
Among the guests last night was Alistair Cook, hero of the Ashes. He is annoyingly good looking and quite nice with it. He assures me he would have to our Adlestrop Club Question Of Sport next week but he will be in Las Vegas for a stag party. I have invited him to be our ringer at this year's cricket match in August and look forward to seeing the faces of the Adlestrop village eleven as he walks out to open.
Bold Identity ran well to finish third today on his hurdle debut at Taunton . He was lucky to finish in the first three due to the mishap of two runners at the last hurdle, however he would have been a very promising fifth regardless.
He is undoubtedly a talented individual and hopefully we will get a novice hurdle win or two into him before the end of the season. Petroupetrov was not that thrilled by the softened ground at Huntingdon but should come down in the handicap further following his seventh place in the staying handicap hurdle. When the ground is in his favour, hopefully he will be able to add to his chase victories before the end of the season.
I went racing to Taunton with part owners of Lake Legend , Rick Allen and Gerry Wright. It was a very entertaining journey down and despite the softened ground, Lake Legend managed to get his head in front in the novice chase. He could well end up with a decent mark on his favoured ground in the spring.
It was a fun day at Taunton as many of Bold identity's owners had backed him each way and were fortunate to pick up place money at odds of 100-1.
We have two runners tomorrow, Petroupetrov runs in a three and a quarter mile handicap hurdle at Huntingdon with Tom Siddall onboard. The trip and improved ground should help and if things go his way he should run well.
Bold Identity runs in the maiden hurdle at Taunton . This is a competitive contest, however he works and jumps well at home and we are hopeful of him showing some promise.
Work
morning went well this morning and a few of the young bumper
horses are taking shape pleasingly. Sue Welch owner and breeder
of Fleetstone, came to see her mare go through her paces. A
half sister to two decent winners, from a proper jumping family,
she should be making her hurdling debut in the next few weeks. Notice I never mention lunch anymore. Also to the blog reader who text me saying ‘with the help of Paul McKenna and drugs, I could get the word ‘handicaper' out of my mind' – you spelt handicapper wrong.
Despite the frost we were able to school the horses this morning thanks to the help of Sean Quinlan, Tom Siddall and Peter Carberry. The string appear in good form still and although we are having lots of places, hopefully a few winners are only around the corner.
As I wasn't racing today I had the opportunity to visit David Redvers at Tweenhills Stud. David and I share the mares, Soft Touch and Gentle Guru. There was an opportunity to catch up with plans for the two mares and I was also able to see his new stallion, Makfi. Winner of last year's 2000 Guineas and the world's joint leading miler, he looked in great condition and has a hundred and fifty mares coming to him this season. Also saw Hellvelyn a son of Ishiguru who we are considering as a partner for Soft Touch.
In today's Racing Post Pricewise goes through the Sun Alliance Chase. My fancy is Wayward Prince at 16-1, he will like the strong pace and the better ground at Cheltenham and is good value.
Stop The Show ran a fine race to be second at Fontwell yesterday. He just came across a well handicapped horse who was in form on the day. We will look for better ground for Upper Deck and Amore Mio will appreciate further.
Today's meeting at Ayr has been called off so Pak Jack and The Snatcher have had a holiday in Scotland and are on the way home thanks to un forecasted rain.
Just a word for Fontwell, they have a new stand which I must admit does not look inspired from the front but should you be lucky enough to be in a corporate box it is a great view. The track has made a great effort over the last few years and with topiary, flower beds and good signage, it is a very welcoming racecourse. I watched Stop The Show from the middle of the course which is a great vantage point, especially for a chase as you can see the horses jumping at close proximity. It is an area I spent much of my childhood in and I always think it a shame that race goers don't see enough of the close up action. Looking forward to returning there soon, hopefully with a winner.
Re the weekend action, Binocular was as impressive as he was last year in that race and I can't help but think a different horse will turn up at Cheltenham in March. I am a fan of Oscar Whiskey but I don't see why he should beat Menorah following last year's Supreme Novice. The Champion Hurdle looks a fascinating race this year and is one to savour rather than bet in.
Just Benny ran well in the novice hurdle at Bangor today. Finishing third behind two useful horses, he stayed on nicely on a track that would not have suited and hopefully over three miles he will be winning for us this season. Naranga travelled very well before weakness caught him out in the final half mile and should come on for this run and will be a nice horse for next season once gaining full strength. Giovanna could not cope with the ground at Chepstow and I am sure she will be alright in the spring.
We have three runners at Fontwell on Sunday. Stop The Show should have a good chance in the three miles two handicap chase with Richard Johnson onboard. Whilst Upper Deck will be fine once handicapped and running on better ground. Amore Mio may find the track a bit too sharp for him.
Crackerjac Boy ran a far better race today at Towcester. Last week he failed to be competitive but in amongst the field today, he showed so much more and hopefully in handicap company over a further trip, he will be competitive.
We have three runners tomorrow, Just Benny and Naranga and Giovanna at Chepstow. Just Benny showed promise in a bumper run at Uttoxeter and hopefully he will do the same in his first novice hurdle tomorrow. Naranga has certainly shown ability at home and although still on the weak side, will hopefully show some talent tomorrow.
Giovanna is still in the clutch of the handicapper but when her ground comes in the spring, she should be more competitive.
Yesterday Drussell didn't appear to like the ground at Leicester whilst Pezula doesn't looks as though she puts a lot in and did not appear to face the blinkers.
Very sad to read of the death of Margaret John, who played ‘Dor' in my favourite tv comedy, Gavin and Stacey. Her use of swear words was something race, in that it was used with only humour intended. An actress for fifty years, she certainly went out on a high and in my opinion, Gavin and Stacey will live on as long as Fawlty Towers and all the other greats.
Drussell and Pezula have been declared for tomorrow at Leicester . Not sure the ground will suit Drussell as the handicapper hasn't shown any leniency towards him and the experience will do him good. Pezula wears blinkers for the first time and hopefully this will make her more competitive.
Mick's Dancer gained a bit more experience today at Taunton and perhaps when he learns to settle better and he has spring ground, he will show an improvement.
Geoff Lansbury, one of our most loyal owners is 60 today. To celebrate he brought his family to the Horse & Groom at Upper Oddington for lunch before looking at Motou, their bumper horse who showed promise at Warwick last week.
Amongst the crowd was Peggy Lansbury who will shortly be 93 and I just hope Motou has as much enthusiasm as Peggy, if so, he will win us lots of races.
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Amore
Mio runs tomorrow if racing goes ahead at Uttoxeter. He is a
bit of a character but let's hope he puts his best foot forward.
With the heavy ground, we have decided not to run any other
horses over the weekend as most do not want the bottomless going
that is on offer. 
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