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Richard's Blog
Great Hero ran an excellent race yesterday at Hereford . Despite his ridiculously high handicap mark, he chased the impressive winner home to the straight before his welter burden took its toll and two better handicapped horses passed him after the last flight.
He galloped all the way to the line to finish fourth but as he travelled so well on the ground we may well drop him back to two miles on a more galloping track.
Following an entertaining day's racing at Cheltenham on Saturday, where Grands Crus looked impressive enough to be a decent threat to Big Bucks in March, I went to the sales in the evening. Our scouts have been out in Ireland the last few weeks looking for potential stars and one of the horses on our list was Crystal Swing. A very promising second in a Leopardstown bumper behind a Dermot Weld machine, this four year old has the size and scope to make it to the top and all at Adlestrop are delighted we were able to purchase him. If you are interested in getting involved, please don't hesitate to give me a call as he just could be ‘the one.'
Mick's Dancer has been declared for Taunton tomorrow. Hopefully he will come on for his debut run at Huntingdon and looks the type to do better once he learns to settle on better ground.
Sadness in the office this morning when a lady bird, who had been walking over Jo's desk all morning, suddenly disappeared, only to reappear half an hour later smeared on a printed email as it came out of the printer, looking flatter than Andy Murray. May he rest in piece.
We have taken Just Benny out of Doncaster today as the ground was riding too fast and we don't want to injure this promising type.
Motou ran a super race yesterday in his bumper at Warwick . Warren was very complimentary about him as he travelled well down the inner throughout and stayed on nicely to finish sixth. Purchased very reasonably out of the Henderson yard, he looks a racehorse in the making for his owners the Lansbury family. Fortunately Peggy Lansbury, part owner was present at Warwick yesterday. She will be 93 in a few weeks and is the life and soul. Peggy owned Lindsay with us a couple of years ago who was bought for her ninetieth birthday present by her son Geoff.
Warwick racecourse's hospitality yesterday was fabulous and they looked after Peggy like the Queen. It made it a very special day for her and one she will certainly not forget. Geoff looks forward to buying her another one for her hundredth.
Last night
was the Adlestrop Club's Stroll On The Wold. Twenty five members
of the club went around each of the pubs in Stow following clues
as to which pub to enter and which drink to drink. As ever,
it all led to a very entertaining evening. Good For Blue and Mr Tingle ran very well yesterday at Huntingdon. Both finishing fourth, Good For Blue was bang there turning for home and will hopefully come on for his first run this season. The ground went against Mr Tingle but he still ran well considering and will hopefully do better on better ground and a further distance. Crackerjac Boy disappointed and didn't seem to be competitive and we will ride him more in the pack next time.
Motou runs for us today in the bumper at Warwick . An inexpensive purchase at the May sales at Doncaster , he has shown promise at home but will certainly benefit from the experience.
Just Benny has been declared for Doncaster tomorrow. This is a competitive race but he should come on from this, his hurdling debut and looks a chaser in the making.
On Tuesday night I attended the West Berkshire Racing Club quiz at Newbury racecourse. This is the group one of racing quizzes with stiff opposition from Raceform and the Racing Post. A room full of anoraks contested for the trophy and the Phillips team of John Hanmer, Tom Symonds and Connor Murphy from the Henderson yard led the competition for a long way. Unfortunately I was shouted down on a few answers that turned out to be correct and much to Hanmer's delight, Symonds had it in the neck for most of the evening. Rather like Crisp in the 1973 Grand National, despite being a long way clear, we faltered on the run in and got passed after the elbow by the Racing Post team. All in all a very entertaining evening and well done to the West Berkshire Racing Club for organsing it.
One of the most amusing parts of the evening was when John Hamner was trying to recall a Fred Winter chaser. “Yes,” he said in his whispered tones, “it was ridden by John Francome until it fell.”
Four runners at Leicester today and Lucky Sunny and Darby's Turn were both fourth. Lucky Sunny travelled well on the very soft ground on his first try over two and a half miles. Sean said that he bottomed out having pulled quite hard at the second last, otherwise he would have been third. Having bled last time out and being a hard puller on an extended trip, we wanted him patiently ridden. Apparently a lot of At The Races viewers thought Sean was very easy on him but if they knew the facts they would realise why.
Darby's Turn finished distressed last time out so we were pleased with his effort today as he was not beaten far. Hopefully this will do his confidence some good and he will be winning again for us soon.
Rapid Return travelled well until throwing his toys out following a mistake down the far side. After this he did not make much effort and we will go back to Leicester on the 16 th February with possibly some cheek pieces on him. Amore Mio seems to be in the grip of the handicapper.
Tomorrow we have three runners at Huntingdon, Crackerjac Boy, Good For Blue and Mr Tingle. Crackerjac Boy is a backward type and will need the experience. Good For Blue has hopefully got over his training problems and will hopefully put up a good show under Richard Johnson over the course and distance he won on last year. With luck, Peter Carberry will go the right way on Mr Tingle having taken the wrong course last time out. This is a more competitive race than last time, however he has an each way chance.
Petroupetrov ran today at Wetherby. Travelling and jumping well for much of the race, he made a mistake at the last hurdle down the back and then refused to play. Hopefully when the handicapper reassesses him and he is back on his favoured ground, he will be competitive for us again.
We have four runners tomorrow at Leicester , Lucky Sunny, Darby's Turn, Rapid Return and Amore Mio. Lucky Sunny is in a very strong novice hurdle but we will see how he gets on over two and a half miles. Darby's Turn is in a four runner novice chase, however the Henderson and McCain runners will be stiff opposition. Rapid Return runs in the three mile handicap chase and if his breathing apparatus work, he should run well. Amore Mio is in the grip of the handicapper but when he lessens the stranglehold, he should be competitive.
A
busy weekend doing office work. Filing through the racing calendar
is an important part of the job and it's always exciting when
you see a race that might be suitable a few weeks ahead. With
a bit of luck our horses will continue to run well and some
targets have been found for the string.
A frosty morning in Adlestrop. Adlestrop Club members Ray and Jane Bailey and Marcia MacLeod all visited to watch the morning's exercise.
Marcia came to give Stop The Show some Polos following his victory on Monday. She was the only club member able to make it to Plumpton and was rewarded with the winning trophy (two Plumpton glasses) and a dvd.
No runners over the weekend as Darby's Turn's race at Ascot looks competitive enough whilst Stop The Show could do with a bit longer to get over his exertions. Hopefully there will be more runners next week with entries at Wetherby, Sedgefield, Leicester, Huntingdon, Ffos Las and Warwick. Big shame diesel has gone up so much in price.
Haven given you a big price fancy for the Gold Cup in Long Run at 25's, now 6's, may I point out that Binocular's win at Kempton last weekend was very impressive. This was because the race was won at a hell of a pace from start to finish and you would have to be impressed with Overturn after such a long lay off, made the running and kept going after the last. 25-1 each way for the Champion Hurdle looks an interesting bet.
20th
January, 2011 Thornton Alice ran a cracking race to be second in the mares novice hurdle at Newcastle yesterday. Jumping and travelling well until the straight, she got outpaced but ran on well after the last. She is certainly providing a lot of fun for The Listeners and we look forward to her winning soon.
Captain Tidds doesn't appear to favour being held up as much as he used to now he has learned to settle, so we will probably try different tactics with him. Whilst Tiger Line told us she has had enough of this horrible ground this winter and we will look for some better going to for.
Tomorrow we have declared Drussell for the two mile handicap at Chepstow with Warren Marston onboard. He is still high enough in the handicap but when he gets his favoured ground in the spring, he should be okay if the handicapper gives him a chance. After being racing all over the country for the last few days, it was nice to catch up in the office today. We also had a visit from owner David Simons who introduced us to his new puppy Bolly, who left her signature on the carpet which is not a problem as I love the smell of Shake n Vac.
Spending most of my life in a car at present and Southwell was my destination today. King Jack ran well for a long way before getting tired in the straight. However Warren was very pleased with him and thought that once the race has brought him on, he should be competitive next time out.
Pezula appeared not to get the trip at Southwell and we will now put some headgear on her on a more galloping track. Warren was quite positive that she would be in the money should the head gear work.
Saturday's King George was a wonderful race. Exactly what racing needs to bring attention to it. Many of us at Warwick watched the King George unfold in Aiden Murphy's box. The atmosphere at Warwick was electric so I am sure it must have been amazing at Kempton as the race unfolded.
Hopefully anyone who read my blog last week would have backed Long Run at 25-1 for the Gold Cup now that he is 5-1. A good day all round capped by Rich Buddy's promising effort in the bumper. Needing the race he showed a great attitude and we are sure he is going to give his enthusiastic owner Lizzie Prowting and all at Adlestrop a lot of excitement for the future.
Off to Newcastle tomorrow with three runners, Captain Tidds, Tiger Line and Thornton Alice. All three have each way chances and let's hope we can bring back a winner.
Everyone at Adlestrop deserves Stop The Show's win today. Stop The Show travelled well in the heavy ground under Richard Johnson and despite idling in front, won the three and a quarter mile handicap chase convincingly. The wind operation he had in the summer has obviously helped him cope with the ground as he won on it over hurdles some years ago. Bobby Donald was not able to dictate in the two mile chase and could not cope in the ground and once again finished fourth at the course. I am sure he will be winning over two and a half miles on better ground for us soon.
Our luck was out yesterday with Phardessa being caught in the final strides at Ffos Las in the three mile handicap hurdle. Having her first race for two years, she settled well on ground that she loves and under a fine ride from Tom Siddall she was robbed of victory in the final strides. Hopefully she will come out of the race well and be winning for us over fences in the not too distant future.
Pak Jack put up a fine performance in the three mile handicap chase but once again finding the second spot more often than the Liberal Democrats. With luck on his side, he will be winning for us before the end of the season.
We have declared King Jack and Pezula for Southwell tomorrow and hopefully there will not be too much rain at the track. King Jack has not raced for a while but should run well if things go his way, whilst Pezula will appreciate the step up in trip.
I should mention that although Ffos Las is a long way away, the racecourse looked after us very well and I am sure on a sunny day it's a very picturesque course. We look forward to having winners there in the future.
Let's hope the horses continue their good form and more winners arrive soon.
Upper Deck had an educational run and learned a bit more from his experience in the novice hurdle. He will be alright on better ground once handicapped. The winner of the race Spirit Son of Nicky Henderson's, looks a horse to follow.
Tomorrow if Warwick is on we have Rich Buddy running in the bumper on heavy ground. Sean Quinlan rides and he will need the experience but he has certainly shown promise at home.
On Sunday at Ffos Las we have Pak Jack and Phardessa running. Phardessa has been off for quite a while and will come on for her race whilst Pak Jack will be ridden a bit more prominently this time.
We
have loads of entries for next week and let's hope there is
a winner or two amongst them. We have two declared at Huntingdon tomorrow in Mr Tingle and Upper Deck. The ground will be soft which is hardly ideal. However Mr Tingle will be ridden by Peter Carberry who will claim eight pounds in the conditional jockeys race and if he goes on the ground, he should run well. Upper Deck will definitely need better ground and a longer trip but the experience will do him good and he has to learn to settle.
We have made entries for Newcastle next week which is a long way to go but hopefully we will have some chances as we have had a great record there in the past. The string appear in good form and we are keen to get them out and running now.
Saw that Richard Hannon had an unraced three year old named, Have Another. Doesn't take a lot of imagination to realise how that one got named. I see that Pricewise in the Racing Post has tipped Pride Of Dulcote in the Gold Cup. My opinion is it will be hard to beat Imperial Commander but he is not the easiest to keep right. Perhaps if Long Run runs well at Kempton on Saturday then his 25-1 will look too big and if What A Friend comes back to form, I think 33-1 is too large a price for him.
Neither Giovanna or Petroupetrov liked the soft ground at Taunton yesterday but hopefully the handicapper will reassess them and when conditions are in their favour in the spring, I am sure they will be winning for us.
Eastwell Smiles was sold today at Ascot Sales for £6000 to Christian Leech. As you will know he has done us proud over the last couple of weeks. He was purchased by Martin and Sue Harvey to give them some fun while their younger horses were coming along and he has certainly done that.
The ground at Doncaster tomorrow is too firm for Phardessa and Just Benny so we will give that a miss but will hopefully have runners at Hereford and Huntingdon on Thursday and Friday.
The BHA are not allowing Imperial commander to run in the King George on Saturday and in mine and most other sensible people's opinion it is utterly daft. As John Francome said to me on the phone this week “fancy spending all that money on racing for change and when they have golden opportunity like that, they don't take it.”
We have two runners today at Taunton with Giovanna and Petroupetrov in the 4.15pm. Giovanna is high enough in the weights still and will probably find the ground a bit too soft but as she showed at Ascot last time out, I am sure she will be competitive once conditions are in her favour.
Petroupetrov once again sports a visor. He ran very well on the course last time out but this is a competitive event. There are not many opportunities for him especially as he doesn't want the ground too soft but if things go his way, he certainly has ability.
On Saturday morning Alun and Ingrid Evans visited to watch work. Alun is a relation and loves his horseracing. He has been in the civil service for many years and has worked for some very interesting politicians in the past and it is always nice to get his insight on the political scene.
On Saturday afternoon I visited Heros, which is based near Lambourn. It is a rehabilitation centre for racehorses run by Grace Muir. I have known Grace many years and she used to cook my books when I was in Lambourn. Aside from the charity, she has horses at her family's North Farm Stud and it was good to view a few of the horses.
On Saturday evening I delivered my god children's presents around the area and ended up at Gee and Mark Bradburne's for supper. The jolly get together was in aid of Michael Caulfield's engagement and as ever, the old team had a good laugh.
Yesterday I had lunch with the Harveys and Tomlins and we celebrated Eastwell Smiles' double victory. Hopefully we will be celebrating the Tomlin's Bobby Donald's success in the not too distant future.
Unfortunately we have been fined £650 for double declaration as we declared him for Bangor as well. We were keen to run him but both meetings were in doubt. Although we are in sympathy with the BHA, the rule is a joke and hopefully we can get it adjusted for others in the future.
Delighted for Martin and Sue Harvey, Eastwell Smiles' owners. As our sponsors with Tori Global they are great supporters. I rang Turloo Parrett this afternoon who used to own Eastwell Smiles. He showed patience for many years with him but six months ago decided to let someone else have a go with him. As Turloo points out at least he has the satisfaction of knowing that Eastwell Smiles is advertising his excellent hotel, Eastwell Manor in Kent .
No runners over the weekend but a few entries next week. Let's hope it is a successful New Year for Adlestrop.
Next possible runner is Eastwell Smiles on Friday. The handicapper has put him up ten pounds so we might take advantage of his entries at Bangor or Fontwell.
Hopefully we will get more work into our horses at the weekend with the prospect of having more runners at the end of next week.
Last night I was kindly invited by owners Bob and Pauline Scott to the Professional Darts Corporation Awards at the Dorchester . This is always an entertaining evening and although some of you may not be a fan of darts, it is amazing who is. Fans include Anthony Bromley, Alan King and Choc Thornton. Phil ‘The Power' Taylor won most of the awards as ever last night and like AP McCoy he is a fifteen times champion although apparently he rides like AP throws darts. Today I was kindly invited to shoot by Fred Hutsby. The Hutsbys provide our haylage and Fred is a renowned amateur jockey best associated with Mighty Moss. Although I rarely hold a gun, it is always an enjoyable day. Also in attendance were Alan King, amateur jockey Richard Burton and Nigel Twiston-Davies right hand man, Fergul O'Brien. A fun day was had by all but thanks to our lack of talent we are all paid up members of the RSPB.
Thankfully back to working some horses this morning despite a light dusting of snow and Quinlan and Siddall were in to help.
Pleased with our runners over the last few days. Thornton Alice and Great Hero did well in the circumstances yesterday at Hereford .
I saw David Ashforth at Hereford yesterday. If you don't know, he writes for the Racing Post and has just retired. Many think he is the best racing journalist there has been and he is a good man.
He came to visit once after writing some clap trap about stable staff not being treated properly in some yards in the Racing Post. He came to write an article about our yard in response. On arrival in the car park I met him and said to him “what have you noticed so far?” “I don't know,” he said. “You have the worst car in the car park,” I said pointing at my staff's automobiles.
He then opened up his boot and I pointed at his wooden golf clubs and said to him, “and they wouldn't play with those either.”
Sir Martin Broughton was also at Hereford . He was recently knighted and used to have a share in Alderman Rose with us. Despite having many loft jobs in industry, Sir Martin loves a day out at the lesser tracks.
Congratulations also to Mary Bromiley who was also recognised in the New Years honours. Mary is now 79 and a daughter of a Harley Street doctor. She has been a leading horse physiotherapist for decades and fully deserves recognition for her expertise.
Eastwell Smiles rewarded everyone for their hard work over the Christmas period with a hard fought victory at Warwick yesterday. Under a fine ride from Richard Johnson, he made the running and hung on gamely to beat the well backed favourite.
This was his first outing since his September trip to Uttoxeter where he ended up in a ditch full of water. Thanks to a great deal of patience from his owners Martin and Sue Harvey - our yard sponsors, we were able to get another victory from him. He will be entered up for next week and possibly run with a penalty depending on what the handicapper does to him.
It augurs well for the string that despite a curtailed exercise program thanks the weather, that Eastwell Smiles was able to win. Although mentally he is a horse that would appreciate not to be over galloped.
We have Amore Mio and Drussell running at Exeter today. They are still in the grip of the handicapper and Amore Mio possibly needs further whilst Drussell needs better ground. However hopefully the run will bring them both on for when conditions are more in their favour.
A very happy and successful New Year to everyone.
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Things
have been hectic for the last twenty four hours hence yesterdays
non appearance of the blog. Thankfully Eastwell Smiles won at
Fontwell this afternoon, it was not the best of races but he
did it well under Richard Johnson.  | |
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