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| Richard's
Blog
30th November, 2010 No racing by the look of it for the next few days. We have made entries for the weekend including Captain Tidds and Mr Tingle plus Pak Jack and Lucky Sunny on Monday. Thanks to the hard work of all the staff, the horses are still able to be exercised on the all weather gallop. I hear that other yards are not so lucky so it will be nice to have the advantage when the weather breaks.
We have lots of runners lined up in the coming weeks and let's hope the snow doesn't scupper our plans. It was a shame I did not do a Hennessy blog as I thought the three against the field were Diamond Harry, Burton Port and Weird Al. I was delighted for Diamond Harry's owner Paul Duffy on Saturday as he has had shares in horses with us in the past, including Bullfinch and Another General. I was also told to back Pedlars Cross, especially as Binocular looked so big on the front page of the Racing Post last week and is a difficult horse to get fit.
I read with interest Jim McGrath's article in the Racing Post at the weekend. Jim is a top man and understands racing, unlike those from Racing For Change. I don't wish to be negative about people who want to progress but they do not seem to understand the product. Racing has a great history and we should sell that, not destroy it. Also we are a nation of animal lovers and we should get the horse's characters across more, which does not necessarily mean having scarves in owners colours. However I think RFC's encouragement of racing clubs within the universities of Britain is a great idea. These will be the race goers of tomorrow and providing a coach and badges to get them into racecourses can only be a positive step.
Today's horse in focus is Whenever who was purchased as a yearling at the Newmarket sales. Backward as a two year old, he won twice at three winning a maiden at Goodwood and a decent handicap at Doncaster . Following an excellent second as a four year old on his debut at Sandown, he went to Ascot for a valuable handicap but was given an injudicious ride by Frannie Norton to finish fifth beaten under two lengths. Finding it difficult to win on the flat, he made his hurdling debut at Plumpton last season and won well but needs top of the ground to be seen at his best. Despite running some game races this summer, he failed to get his head in front and has now had a wind operation while he is rested over the winter before being brought back for a spring campaign. I am sure there will be more races to be won with him and hopefully he will make the transition to fences eventually and could be a decent staying chaser on his favoured ground. 29th November, 2010 Just as we arrived at Folkestone today for our two runners, Stop The Show and Mr Tingle the meeting was called off. Waste of a three hour drive but we are used to it this time of year.
It was a shame as it looks as though Mr Tingle had a good each way chance whilst Stop the Show would probably need his first run of the season. Went to Newbury on Saturday as we had no runners. A lot of our owners were present and it was good to catch up with quite a few of them who were enjoying a fantastic days racing.
Attended the sale in the evening at Newbury which was the Doncaster Bloodstock sales rising stars. This is the first time this sale was held at Newbury and it appeared to work well but as ever, prices were high for the nice ones. It was also a shame that Leicester was off yesterday with Eastwell Smiles and Amore Mio were entered. Looks like a week of frozen weather and not much chance of racing but hopefully there will be lots of opportunities next week as long as we get a thaw.
Today's horse in focus is Upper Deck who was purchased as a three year old at the Doncaster may sales. A half brother to several winners, he took time to strengthen up and showed promise in his bumper at Newton Abbot.
He had run over two miles at Market Rasen in a novice hurdle a few weeks ago and looks the type to do well once in a handicap over a trip on some decent ground. Owned by Charles Allan, he is named Upper Deck as it is a cricketing term for being high up in the batting order. We look forward to this son of Beckett getting off the mark later in the season once he has more experience under his belt.
Darby's Turn broke a blood vessel today which could explain why he didn't perform this afternoon. There has been no evidence of this problem before and let's just hope it is a one off.
We have declared Eastwell Smiles and Amore Mio at Leicester on Sunday but with the weather forecast as it is, it is unlikely to be on. However it would be good to get Eastwell Smiles back on the track following his Uttoxeter experience and Richard Johnson rides. Amore Mio probably needs further than two miles but there are few opportunities for him at the moment and it would be good to get another run into him.
Petroupetrov ran an excellent third yesterday at Taunton and its good that he is back on track following his loss of confidence over fences. He should be winning for us again now he is back over hurdles and needs an extreme distance to be seen at his best. Just Benny showed promise in the bumper at Uttoxeter and looks a staying chaser in the making, finishing fourth in a competitive event. They went too quick for Rapid Return at Taunton and we will now try a tongue tie on him possibly next week on a more galloping track.
I was kindly invited to the Sir Peter O'Sullevan charity lunch yesterday at the Dorchester . Nearly five hundred guests were treated to a witty speech from Sir Terry Wogan. The Sir Peter O'Sullevan award deservedly went to Clive Brittain. Clive spoke for many when criticising the rioting students in London by saying, “the university of life is out there, go get it.”
It was great to see my old friend Hugh McIlvanney there who has not been too well recently. We always have a great discussion together about life and he kindly introduced me to Martin O'Neill, the ex Aston Villa manager. As I would have expected, he is a delightful man with impeccable manners and should be offered the England job.
Today's horse in focus is Tiger Line who was bred by Sue Welch. She came to us as a four year old having just been broken. By Kayf Tara she ran well in bumpers being placed in two out of three and showed promise over hurdles last season.
Tiger Line ran an excellent second at Chepstow on Wednesday and is hopefully handicapped to win over three miles with some cut in the ground. I am sure she is going to be winning for her patient owners, The Tremolos this season as she is a real trier with an abundance of stamina.
Tiger Line ran a pleasing race to be second yesterday at Chepstow. She wants further and unfortunately she found a well handicapped horse on a going day to beat her. Thornton Alice also ran an excellent race to finish fourth in the bumper at Wetherby. She will now go hurdling and should provide the Listeners with a lot of fun this winter.
Penshurst Lad seemed to travel well for a long way and then fade and we must get to the bottom of why. He is still on the weak side but we may well try him on the all weather over a shorter trip.
Darby's Turn has been declared for the novice handicap chase at Newbury tomorrow. Boomshakalaka confirmed his Warwick form on Monday and let's hope he puts up a bold show tomorrow in what is a competitive novice handicap.
We have Petroupetrov and Rapid Return going to Taunton today and Just Benny in the bumper at Uttoxeter. Petroupetrov runs in a visor for the first time which will hopefully help him concentrate over hurdles, as he seems to have lost his confidence over fences. Rapid Return has a well documented wind problem but hopefully he will travel and jump well today without the head-on wind that he had to encounter on his last run. Just Benny runs in a competitive bumper at Uttoxeter but is a potential chaser and will no doubt come on for the experience and we will see if he copes with the heavy ground.
Thanks to Adlestrop Club member Jan Hurst, I was kindly given a ticket for my birthday to see The Saw Doctors in Cheltenham last night. For those of you that don't know, The Saw Doctors are an Irish rock n roll group headed by Davey and Leo. Leo's father Jimmy Moran, is an Irish bookmaker and a wonderful character and loves his racing. So much so that Leo recounted last night that Jimmy took his wife to the Cheltenham Festival on their honeymoon - despite her complete disinterest in horseracing.
Today's horse in focus is Thornton Alice who was purchased in August at the Doncaster Sales. She was recommended by Graham Bradley following being second in her only bumper run at Wetherby. By the excellent sire Kayf Tara, she is a tough type who made her debut for us yesterday in a bumper, once again at Wetherby. Running a very creditable fourth, she looks to have a future over hurdles this winter and should provide her owners, The Listeners with plenty of fun.
We have three declared runners for tomorrow. Tiger Line in the 2 ½ mile handicap hurdle at Chepstow, Penshurst Lad and Thornton Alice at Wetherby. Tiger Line should have come on for her first run of the season earlier in the month and hopefully the ground won't be too soft for her and she should put up a good performance.
Thornton Alice came second in her only bumper run at the course in June and we will find out tomorrow if she goes on the softer ground. Penshurst Lad continues to work well at home but does not quite do it on the course at present but should come on for the experience in the juvenile maiden.
Thought I should mention Ascot and Aintree as they provided excellent lunches for our owners over the weekend. I know all racecourses can't do this but it makes such a difference to an owners experience if they are well treated at a racecourse and surely things could be done on a lesser scale at smaller tracks.
Yesterday I was kindly invited to the Starlight charity day at Kempton. Many good friends were in attendance including J Francome and Jilly Cooper. Fortunately the former has not produced a book for Christmas, whilst the latter spent much of the afternoon sitting in the cold signing copies of her new novel Jump, which is selling very well I am pleased to report.
Today's horse in focus is Thompson who was purchased at the Doncaster May sales as a four year old and always showed promise in his home work. He is related to amongst others, Giovanna and this family take time to mature and most need a distance of ground to be shown at their best.
Thompson was annihilated by the handicapper after his novice hurdles but ran very well at Huntingdon last year to finish fourth in a 2 mile 5 handicap hurdle. Fancied for his next run, unfortunately we discovered a wind problem and he has had a hobday and soft palette operation over the summer. After spending time with his patient owners Mike and Mandy Hawley, he is now back in work and should be on the course in mid December. We are all hopeful that over 3 miles on ground not too soft, that Thompson will finally show his undoubted talent this season.
Giovanna ran a fine race at Ascot on Saturday staying on very well to finish fourth in a competitive mares event. She had been in great form prior to the race and it was very pleasing to see she still possesses all her competitive spirit. Warren Marston was very pleased with her and suggested we may use a conditional jockey in the future to take some weight off her back, as the handicapper has still not given her a great advantage since she went up for her two wins last season.
Pak Jack has a few cuts following his fall at Aintree yesterday but hopefully they will clear up soon. Liam Treadwell reported he was travelling and jumping very well and it was very annoying that he came down when he did, having got too close to the bottom of the fence and not getting his front end up high enough. If he had stood up, it would have been interesting to see how he would have got on.
I drove from Ascot to Aintree on Saturday night to celebrate Helen Nixseaman's birthday, (Pak Jack's main owner). We were joined by among others, fellow owners John Rosbotham and Joyce Birse. A fun evening was had by all, especially when the George Michael tribute act went home.
Fortunately we had jockeys in to school today in Warren Marston, Sean Quinlan and Tom Siddall and we were able to get a fair bit done as the weather forecast does not look good for later in the week. We have a fair few entries over the week and hopefully a few chances among them.
Today's horse in focus is The Snatcher. He was sent to us last year by Rachel Ablett who also has a share in King Jack. He won five races for Richard Hannon in his flat career and came to us to see if he would enjoy hurdling. He took to jumping very well and has had three runs now therefore will have a handicap mark soon.
By the excellent National Hunt sire Indian Danehill, The Snatcher loves soft ground and depending on how the handicapper rates him, he should be competitive for us with cut in the ground and possibly over two and a half miles. A tough, bonny type he was gelded in the summer and took the operation in his stride and certainly deserves to be back in the winners enclosure.
We have declared Giovanna tomorrow at Ascot in a 2 ¾ mile mares handicap hurdle. She has previously run very well over course and distance and Warren Marston rides. She has had a good break since her last run and worked very well on Wednesday. Hopefully she will perform with credit tomorrow afternoon. She would prefer better ground and a test of stamina but we are looking forward to running her in what is a competitive race.
Pak Jack has been declared for the Becher Chase on Sunday. We have favoured this longer race despite the soft ground as he is not getting any faster in his old age. He appears to have come on well from his run at Kempton and we have booked Liam Treadwell to ride. Very few jockeys can do the weight of ten stone, but Liam having won the Grand National on Mon Mome should know his way round there. If the ground is not too soft for him it will be fascinating to see how he gets on having finished third in the race previously.
A busy morning of working and schooling with the help of Sean Quinlan and Tom Siddall. I was kindly invited by Laurence Robertson, joint chair of the All Parties Racing Committee to Ascot this afternoon. It was a very enjoyable afternoon in the Tote box. Saw Duval of The Sun who gave the tips and was as amusing as ever. Especially when he said “I was at Chepstow the last time this horse ran, well anyway, that's what my expenses say.”
Also present was deputy speaker Nigel Evans who is a very good man and has Haydock Park in his constituency. He had a losing bet in the first race but said he would put it down in his expenses as ‘stationary' as that is how the horse ran.
Today's horse in focus is Temoin. He has some very good form as a young horse when trained by Nicky Henderson but lost his way over fences for the Seven Barrows handler. He came to us two seasons ago and won a novice chase at Lingfield under a fine ride from Wayne Hutchinson. A real character, Temoin also won a decent handicap chase for us at Sandown last season, but in between had his own ideas about racing.
A brilliant jumper on his day, he loves a test of stamina and soft ground and will hopefully be having his seasonal debut in early December. When things go his way, he is a very talented horse and manages to win a race a season and we look forward to him doing so this winter.
Upper Deck ran in the first race at Market Rasen today. It was his debut over hurdles. he jumped carefully to start with. It was a hot novice hurdle and he ran as expected and Sean Quinlan reported that he needs better ground and probably a test of stamina to be seen at his best. I am sure he will be okay once he is handicapped.
Left Gordon to attend Market Rasen today as this was my one day of the week to catch up with office work. There is always an enormous amount of this, far more than you would think.
Last night, John Rosbotham came to visit and he kindly treated me to supper in the Horse and Groom in Upper Oddington . John viewed Pak Jack this morning, a horse he has a share in and will hopefully run at Aintree on Sunday in either the Becher or Grand Sefton ground dependant. Warren Marston and Mattie Batchelor were in a attendance for a schooling session with some of the youngsters and it was good to get a few of the babies off the ground and all showed athletic ability I am pleased to say.
Today's horse in focus is Sun Up who was purchased as a yearling at the Tattersalls October sale. Henry Cecil was under bidder and we purchased her to be a bumper horse as she was always quite weak but an excellent walker. Nicknamed ‘Lollipop' because of her wide forehead and small muzzle, she made a pleasing debut in a bumper at Ludlow last year before disappointing at Huntingdon on Boxing Day.
Given time to strengthen further as her siblings all appear to need time, she is now schooling and working well and should be up to running in a novice hurdle in the next few weeks. Her name comes from a horse that Chic Marx told Groucho Marx to back in ‘A Day At The Races.' Hopefully Sun Up will be tipped around the racecourses this winter as a potential winner and give her lessees, a syndicate headed by Melissa Chesterman who broke her in as a youngster, a great deal of fun.
Upper Deck has been declared for Market Rasen tomorrow. He ran with promise in his first bumper at Newton Abbot and now goes novice hurdling. He has been pleasing at home and I am sure we will learn a lot more after tomorrow's race. Sean Quinlan rides and liked him when he rode him at Newton Abbot. His owner Charlie Allan has been very patient with him and I am sure he will be rewarded this season.
A windy and rainy work morning but the string continue to be in good form. I took Bob Johnston racing with me to Warwick . Bob has just purchased a share in Thornton Alice with us and living locally, often accompanies me to race meetings. Bob used to own The Fosse Manor Hotel in Stow , a very famous haunting ground for many in the area and is enjoying his retirement and loves a day racing. There are still two shares left in Thornton Alice, so please don't hesitate to be in contact if you are interested.
Peter Thomas of the Racing Post popped in today as he was in the area. He is a good supporter of the yard and has been shortlisted for ‘Journalist Of The Year' award at the Horserace Writers and Photographers Association awards, along with Brough Scott, Chris McGrath and Chris Cook son of former foreign secretary Robin who now writes for The Guardian. Peter is 7-2 with Boyle Sports to win the competition and the tip of the day is to get on, as he is over priced.
Today's horse is Stop the Show. He was purchased by David Mason at the Brightwells Cheltenham Sale as a four year old. By King's Theatre, he is from the family of two mile champion chaser, Buck House. He showed promise in bumpers, won twice over hurdles for us and has been placed numerous times over fences. A brilliant jumper, he had a wind operation in the summer and is very well handicapped over chase fences and will surely get his head in front for The Adlestrop Club this season. He is due to run in the next few weeks and ideally he wants a test of stamina on some goodish ground.
For
any of you looking for the ideal Christmas gift, don't forget
you can buy your loved one a winner in Stop The Show at a mere
£400 per year.
The Snatcher and Drussell ran pleasing races at Leicester yesterday and I am sure they will be winning for us when conditions are in their favour. Petroupetrov looks as though he may have to return to hurdles for his next run after ballooning the first three fences at Leicester . Tom Siddall pulled him up as he thought he might have been injured due to a horse landing on the back of him. Luckily he seems okay and we have schooled him over baby fences this morning.
Great Hero and Crackerjac Boy have both been declared for the novice hurdle at Warwick tomorrow. Great Hero jumped well at Chepstow and should be competitive on goodish ground in a handicap. Crackerjac Boy disappointed in his only bumper last year but has taken well to jumping and will hopefully show more on this occasion. His part owners, Eustace and Carol Theodore watched him school second lot today once the frost had come out of the ground and Sean Quinlan and Tom Siddall helped us school several others during the morning.
After a busy morning, Les and Linda Tomlin kindly took Barnsy and I for lunch at the Fox to discuss Bobby Donald's progress. It is the first time I have ever seen apple pie eaten with custard, cream and ice cream but Barnsy said that is always the way it should be eaten – but possibly not that quickly.
At Leicester yesterday in the owners and trainers bar, I had the fortune of picking up a racecard which had two Tote tickets contained in it for the commencing race. Being an honest sort of chap, I thought I would put the racecard back on the shelf where I found it in case anyone came to reclaim it. I informed my owners including Eustace Theodore, that one of the tickets was a bet on Nicky Nutjob - a 25-1 outsider, so I was not that keen on keeping the ticket. However with three hurdles to jump, as Eustace and I were discussing various matters, the commentator suddenly said “and Nicky Nutjob is coming there very strongly.” In unison, suddenly both Eustace and I turned and looked towards the aforementioned racecard which sat alone on the shelf, in the hope that it remained in place. A Marx brothers moment which made us both laugh. The bad news is that Nicky Nutjob was fourth, but the good news is the other ticket was a five pound win on Big Talk, the eventual winner.
Apologies to whose ever racecard it was but as it was not claimed, we claimed the £22.50. Don't worry, it will be passed on to charity.
Today's horse in focus is Rich Buddy, who was purchased last December at the Cheltenham Breeze Up sale by Aiden Murphy for Lizzie Prowting. This son of prolific winning stallion Kayf Tara, is half brother to Dan Silver amongst others and is a tough workman like gelding who has shown us talent in his homework last spring.
Being only a four year old, he is still not fully mature however he will be making his debut in a bumper before going hurdling. He has shown undoubted jumping ability at home too and we very much look forward to Rich Buddy winning for his wonderfully enthusiastic connections this season.
We have three runners today at Leicester . The Snatcher will be having his third run in the novice hurdle and hopefully once he is handicapped he will be able to be competitive for us.
Petroupetrov runs in the handicap chase and hopefully the ground will be soft enough for him, as it is good to firm in places on the chase course. Unbelievably it often is during the winner and the hurdle course is often riding on the soft side. Petroupetrov frightened himself at the second fence last time out. Hopefully his confidence will be back today and he can continue where he left off having won at Uttoxeter earlier in the year.
Drussell runs in the two mile handicap hurdle. He is still plenty high enough in the weights and the ground is not ideal and I think the handicapper will have to review him before his is winning for us. He is a tough nut and I am sure he will be competitive once re evaluated.
A busy weekend as ever, I spent Friday at Cheltenham where many of our owners were present and it was good to catch up with them all. In the evening I was kindly invited to Lady Dashwood's for supper. Better known as ‘Dashers,' she is a wonderful cook and it was great to catch up with so many old friends.
Following work on Saturday, I went to Uttoxeter races where Lucky Sunny ran with great credit. Needing his seasonal debut, he travelled and jumped well for Sean Quinlan before getting tired two out. I am sure he will be getting his head in front for us soon.
Saturday evening was a journey to Essex to see Bob and Pauline Scott and friends at a local charity ball. It was great to catch up with Bob and Pauline and look around their stud on Sunday morning. Amongst the inmates were old friends Noble Lord and Central Committee who are enjoying a wonderful retirement there. Now in their late teens, they are inseparable and are known as ‘the gay geldings.'
With the ground being too soft at Market Rasen, I was able to pop into Cheltenham yesterday and see owner David Simons, who was entertaining fellow owners, Eustace and Carol Theodore, Karen Anderson and Helen Nixseaman. I had an enjoyable catch up with our American friends at the Churchill Arms in Paxford last night where the smoked haddock rarebit comes highly recommended.
This morning we made entries for the weekend including Giovanna in a mares only handicap at Ascot on Saturday and Pak Jack in the Becher Chase and Grand Sefton at Aintree on Sunday.
I was unable to watch the X Factor this weekend but hear that Aiden has been knocked out - it is about the only thing he has in common with Audley Harrison. I think Ainsley Harriet would have had better chance against David Haye on Saturday night.
Today's horse is Rapid Return. He was purchased at Doncaster sales having won two point to points in Ireland . A first horse for his owner Simon Rutherford, he won for us at Worcester in May 2009. Wind problems have led to inconsistency in his races but he ran a fine race at Plumpton recently. When things go in his favour, he is certainly on a handicap mark he can win off and is an excellent jumper of a chase fence.
Amore Mio's run at Cheltenham today was very pleasing and I am sure he will come on for the run and give us a lot of fun this season.
A busy morning with John Goldsmith coming to see Bold Identity, who he has bought a share in. We have Lucky Sunny running tomorrow at Uttoxeter, I am sure he will need further in time and possibly better ground but he has won around the course and it will be an opportunity to get him settled and jumping.
I spent the afternoon at Cheltenham where many of our owners were present and it was great to see them in such good form and looking forward to good season. There is nothing quite like Cheltenham and let us hope we have some horses to go to war with later in the season at Prestbury Park
Today's horse is Phardessa who was purchased at Doncaster sales having won her only bumper at Ayr . A hard pulling eager mare, she took time to settle but eventually won us two races over hurdles before taking very well to fences with victories at Uttoxeter and Chepstow in 2009. Unfortunately she had a tendon injury after her Chepstow win and had last season off but is now back in training and will hopefully carry on her winning ways once returning to the track.
Ideally suited by soft ground and a trip, she has potential to win us a nice prize this season which will hopefully reward her very patient owners who also own Petroupetrov with us.
Rapid Return was not able to build on his third at Plumpton last time out at Taunton today. Wayne reported he jumped well until the second down the back the last time. The hurricane in his face did not help his breathing problem and once making a minor error at the open ditch, he was struggling. This was very frustrating as he deserves to win another race for us.
We schooled a lot of the horses this morning with the help of Marston, Quinlan and Siddall and all went to plan. The ground looks pretty testing for the weekend and may not suit many of them so we will have to keep a close eye on Uttoxeter, Market Rasen and Leicester on Monday.
I travelled to Taunton today and driving along in the car always gives me the chance to catch up on phone calls. It was good to catch up with Brian Hoyle who was at Taunton . Brian played in our cricket team and kindly supplied us with cricket gear for the Phillips eleven. I was also able to catch up with M Pipe who is always interesting company. As he points out, he never stops learning and it was good to talk to him about various subjects including Vincent O'Brien and Aiden O'Brien. We spoke about wind operations and he advised me to sit in on one when we next have one done, as he has done it and found it fascinating. I will take up his advice.
Today's horse in focus is Pezula who was purchased as a yearling at the Tattersalls yearling sales. She had one run as two year old and after getting handicapped had an issue with the starting stalls and being a stubborn type, it took a few handlers to get her in. She certainly has a determined mind and if she was human, she would have probably led the Conservative party in the late seventies. However she has taken well to hurdling and had some runs for experience last year and eventually ran well in a handicap at Bangor over two and a half miles.
She has grown and strengthened over the summer and now looks far more like the finished article and will hopefully make her seasonal debut soon. She is entered over the weekend but with her lowly handicap mark, she may struggle to get into races.
Pezula has been leased this year by The Squashed Club - a group that includes Willie and Camilla Murdoch who had Luce Bay with us last season. I am sure in two and a half miles plus handicap hurdles, she will be competitive for them this season.
Mick's Dancer had an educational run at Huntingdon today where hopefully he learned to settle and jump before getting tired in the straight. He looks the type that could well improve for better ground and handicap company, especially as he was travelling so well before turning for home.
Following first lot this morning, where I was joined by Nicholas Mason, our former neighbour, member of The Adlestrop Club and a great supporter of the yard - I was kindly asked by Racing Welfare to attend their charity lunch at Bangor . It was an enjoyable afternoon where the Princess Royal, president of the charity attended the lunch. She seems to be following me everywhere at the moment and we both seem to have very busy schedules. Also in attendance amongst others, was Sir Peter O'Sullevan, now well into his nineties and a remarkable example to us all. He is still as bright as a button and simply loves the sport.
We have declared Rapid Return tomorrow at Taunton . Wayne Hutchinson will be onboard. Wayne won on him at Worcester over hurdles and hopefully the ground won't be too soft for him tomorrow so that he can follow up on his excellent third at Plumpton.
Yard sponsor Martin Harvey of Tori Global is growing a moustache for ‘Movember' to raise money for prostrate cancer. Please see a note from him below:
I am going for a non traditional approach to my moustache but seem to be having a few problems keeping it symmetrical!!!
Up to date pictures are on the website for you to laugh at and you can donate to the team or to an individual from here http://uk.movember.com/mospace/669576/ and also leave supporting and encouraging messages! I shall be at the Call My Bluff wine evening so you will also get the chance to encourage or ridicule me to my face.
Please
give generously this is a terrible disease and we need to help
raise money and awareness of this worthy charity. Thanks
in advance
Today's horse in focus is Petroupetrov who won two out of his four chases for us last season. He has run some decent races over hurdles to be second, before taking very well to jumping fences when winning on his debut at Kempton in April. A French bred who took until now to be fully mature, he unfortunately frightened himself at the open ditch at Kempton last week but has schooled well since and will hopefully run at Leicester on Monday now that he has dropped two pounds in the handicap. He needs a test of stamina and ground to have some cut in it to be at this best and hopefully he will be winning again for us this season. A lazy type at home, his nickname is Pete for obvious reasons.
Bobby Donald and Captain Tidds both ridded themselves of cobwebs in their runs at Lingfield today. Following Bobby Donald's tip up at Warwick last week, it was good to see him jump round safely and now he has had his initial run of the season, he should be competitive next time out.
Captain Tidds also completed having tipped up at Newbury last season on his final run. Over a trip too short for him, he got racing a bit early and therefore tired in the straight but it should put him right for a three mile chase in three or four weeks time.
Last night I met up with Charles Allan and Neil Gladding of The Oxford Wine Company to plan the Call My Wine Bluff evening for The Adlestrop Club on the 26 th November. If you have not booked your tickets, please do so as soon as possible as places are limited. It is always a great evening and this year we have the addition of a multiple choice wine quiz and we have some serious wines for you to try.
This morning Charles Allan came to see his five year old Upper Deck schooling, along with a fair few others and Tom Siddall and Sean Quinlan came in to do the honours.
Mick's Dancer has been declared for Huntingdon tomorrow and Richie McLernon rides. Richie rode Lucky Sunny for us to win in his initial bumper at Uttoxeter last season and is a good young rider. A former flat horse with Willie Muir, Mick's Dancer needs to learn to settle and will hopefully come on for his experience tomorrow.
Today's horse in focus is Penshurst Lad who was purchased as a yearling at the Newmarket Tattersalls sales. He would have made his two year old debut in the autumn but pulled a muscle quite badly in his hind quarters. Following some runs for experience this summer, he disappointed on his handicap debut on the flat and made his hurdling debut at Warwick last week. Warren reported that he felt on the weak side for a hurdling campaign and we may well try him on the all weather in the next few weeks as he appears able to gallop well at home.
Drussell needed his race at Sandown on Saturday. He travelled well until the straight before getting tired and Sean reported he was going as well as any until that point. Once the handicapper has relented a bit, we are sure he will be winning for us possibly over a bit further.
A very wet morning in Adlestrop after a busy weekend. Last night I was fortunate enough to be invited to the O2 to watch Peter Kaye, thanks to the generosity of Peter and Pam Deal. Fellow trainers Oliver Sherwood, Paul Webber, George Baker and Jamie Osborne were also invited. I travelled to London with Jamie and it was good to catch up with him.
Not only was Peter Kaye brilliant but his support act was Rick Astley. My fellow trainers were embarrassed that I knew the words to most of his songs as I had bought his album back in 1987. I still have the tape but have nothing to play it on, thankfully you may say.
He
was purchased by Sir Robert Ogden to race for Philip Hobbs when
he finished third in the Topham Trophy before being sold on
to race for Richard Barber in the Topham the following year,
where he finished second. He arrived at Adlestrop following
this and kept up his excellent Aintree record by finishing third
in a Becher Chase and was second in last season's Grand Sefton.
A brilliant jumper, he also ran the race of his career in the
Betfred at Sandown in 2008. Having had his prep run over hurdles
last week, he now heads to Aintree again where the Becher Chase
or the Grand Sefton will be his aim depending on the ground.
Let us hope this time he gets his head in front for a much deserved
success. Drussell has been declared for the handicap hurdle at Sandown tomorrow. The ground would be too firm for Amore Mio and Temoin. Drussell was purchased at the Doncaster May sales and having won two races last year. He looks quite high in the handicap but we will find out more about him tomorrow and I am sure he is up to winning races for us this season.
Last night I attended the Animal Health Trust Awards as guest of our owner, Bunny Roberts. This is always a fun evening and for a very good cause. A visit to the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket is highly recommended. Their president The Princess Royal was in attendance and was in good form along with her daughter.
Richard Hannon won the racing award for his unbelievable consistency over forty years as a trainer. Hannon is a great character and has just had heart surgery this week so we wish him well. His son Henry is also a great character and accepted the award on his father's behalf. Describing the trophy as a doorstop did not go down too well in his thank you speech, however we knew what he meant.
The special achievement award was won by AP McCoy. AP is probably one of the greatest sportsmen of all time and annoyingly good fun with it when you know him.
At the auction there was a painting by Newmarket artist Jackie Jones, of AP winning on Don't Push It and I did compliment Jackie on her amazing ability to capture his unique ‘ugliness.'
Today's horse is Notker. Notker is a tall athletic gelding who was home bred by the Keswicks at their Rockcliffe Stud. He was in training with us as a two year old and had one run for experience and has done nothing but grow and strengthen since. Now a four year old, he is working nicely and schooling well over baby fences and will hopefully make his novice hurdle debut soon over two miles. However he looks every inch a chaser and we look forward to his owner's patience being rewarded this season.
Pleased to report that yesterday's runners all came back safely including Bobby Donald who took a tumble at Warwick . However he enjoyed his run round when he was loose and happy birthday today to his owner Linda Tomlin.
Darby's Turn's pleasing seasonal debut got a good write up in the Racing Post. Hopefully we can find another race for him in a few weeks time and see if he can carry a penalty in a novice chase.
Worked a few horses this morning including Thornton Alice who went particularly well. Just to remind everyone, there are still a few shares available in her and she will be on the course very soon and so will be instant fun. Please do not hesitate to be in contact if you are interested.
Last night Andrew Nicholls owner of Darby's Turn, kindly treated Barnsy and I to supper at The Masons Arms to celebrate yesterday's win. Barnsy was with me in Ireland when we looked at the horse and as it was a cold morning, failed to get out of the car but did wind down the window and put his thumb up having seen the horse trot up in front of him. We are now thinking of setting up the BBA, ‘Barnsy Bloodstock Agency' as we could do with a few more like Darby's Turn.
Today's horse is Naranga, a four year old Generous gelding who was purchased at the Cheltenham Breeze Up sale last December. Bred by Audrey Goodwin, who also bred King Jack, he is a very athletic type who had a niggly problem at the end of last season and therefore was given a good summers rest. He has strengthened up and is very much pleasing in his work at present and hopefully he will give his owner, Pauline Mason, wife of David a great deal of excitement once getting on the course. Hopefully he will be running in a bumper in the not too distant future and ultimately he will make a very decent chaser.
We were all delighted to see Darby's Turn win the main race at Warwick today. Having his first run for the yard, he jumped and travelled very well and despite needing the race, beat the odds on favourite two and a half lengths. Given a fine ride by Warren Marston, Warren said he would definitely get 2 ½ miles and appreciated the better ground he ran on compared to the heavy ground he had been running on in Ireland . Andrew and Jane Nicholls had a great afternoon and we are delighted they have sent him to us having bought him in the summer and we look forward to further success this season.
Mr Tingle, Tiger Line and Great Hero all did as we asked of them and will improve for their first run of the season. According to Warren , Penshurst Lad needs more time and is too weak at present. Bobby Donald failed to get his landing gear out at the second but thankfully very much enjoyed himself running loose, having got up safely.
It was great that the breeders of Darby's Turn were able to make today's race as one had travelled from Ireland and one from Scotland especially to be there for his English debut. Remarkably, Darby's Turn's mother had been sent off to the slaughterhouse but miraculously was not put down. She was passed on to a girl who failed to pay for the horse and three years later, her breeder Emma Jane welcomed her back having nagged her father to find out where she had gone. The mare has gone on to breed not only Darby's Turn but also the very useful An Dearthair Og. Definitely a fairytale and would make a great film.
Today's horse in focus is Najlaa. She is a three year old filly purchased at the July Sales in Newmarket this summer. She was recommended by William Haggas having had three runs on the flat. However her size and scope indicated she would be better suited to jump racing, especially as she is a half sister to a useful bumper horse.
Having proven to us that she has the size and scope to jump hurdles and fences, we have given her some time off to develop and she is now going to return to work with the aim of running her in novice hurdles in February. Definitely a mare with a future, we are delighted that Nigel and Suzanne Williams have purchase her and are able to give her the time to mature to reach her potential.
We have declared six runners for tomorrow. Two at Chepstow, Great Hero and Tiger Line with four at Warwick as long as the ground is okay in Mr Tingle, Penshurst Lad, Bobby Donald and Darby's Turn.
We are not expecting too much as most of them are running over a trip probably short of their best but it will be a good starter for the season for them.
Yesterday Rapid Return ran a cracker at Plumpton given a brilliant ride by Richard Johnson. Rapid Return does not have the best of wind and Richard hung on to him as long as he could and he was not beaten that far. He is a brilliant jumper and any of you with grand mothers who like them, could well put them on his back.
At Kempton The Snatcher showed that he wanted a bit further and 2 miles over hurdles and will be fine when he runs over 2 ½ miles with cut in the ground and a handicap mark.
Pak Jack galloped along a merry dance before getting tired before the straight which will hopefully put him right for Aintree on the 21 st . Whilst Petroupetrov frightened himself at the second fence by standing off too far and proceeded to pop round in his own time, proving once and for all he was born in France . I think you can forget his run here and we look forward to the handicapper dropping him a few pounds so he can run in a 0-105.
A busy schooling morning with Marston, Quinlan and Siddall popping a lot of the youngsters over hurdles and baby fences.
Today's horse is Mr Tingle. He was purchased at Doncaster May sales as a winning pointer when a four year old and showed promise in his first bumper run at Towcester. Having received a handicap mark thanks to three runs over hurdles, he unfortunately broke a bone in his neck which stopped him from running at the back end of last season. Now fully recovered, hopefully he will prove this season that he has enough talent to win over hurdles and fences. He is making his seasonal debut at Warwick tomorrow over two miles but will ultimately want three miles with cut in the ground to be seen at his best.
1st
November, 2010 Today we send out our first real runners of the season with The Snatcher, Pak Jack and Petroupetrov going to Kempton, whilst Rapid Return travels to Plumpton.
The Snatcher will need his first run back of the season and I am sure will be competitive once he is handicapped and has his preferred soft ground. He has been gelded since his last run and he is a tough type who has taken well to hurdling.
Pak Jack is running in the same hurdle he ran in last season before going on to run at Aintree. Last year he has second in this race and we are using it as a prep run for his attempt at the Becher Chase on the 21 st . Hopefully he will run well and this should put him spot on.
Petroupetrov made his chasing debut at Kempton and was an impressive winner back in April. He has since won at Uttoxeter but will come on for his race today but he appears in good form at home. This is a step up in class too, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on.
Rapid Return loves top of the ground and hopefully at Plumpton, the track will not have too much give in it. He has Richard Johnson onboard and hopefully his Wincanton outing will have put him straight for this.
A busy weekend with lots of visitors. Watched Mastermind on Friday evening as there was gentleman on there who had Grand Nationals from 1960 as his specialist subject. He got 16 while yours truly got 13 but I think with a bit of revision, I would have got a couple more. However thanks to the general knowledge round, I faded like Crisp.
X Factor is a great topic of conversation in the yard. Warren Marston rang up to apologise to me for underestimating Cher Lloyd after her performance on Saturday. A lot of talent this year and can't call the winner yet, although Warren Marston's rendition of Bat Out Of Hell is far superior to Wagners.
Today's horse is Motou. An unraced five year old purchased at the May Sales at Doncaster this year. He had previously been with Nicky Henderson and had various niggling injuries but thanks to a couple of tip offs, we found out he did had some ability in his homework and was worth a punt at £4500. He is a half brother to three winners and it was interesting that ex Henderson assistant Charlie Longsdon was under bidder, sat next to his brother in law who is assistant to Nicky.
He is owned by Geoff Lansbury and his family and friends. He has been purchased to give them some fun this season. He works nicely and will start off in a bumper towards the end of the month before starting a hurdling campaign. Geoff and his family had previous luck with Noble Lord, Datito and Lindsay and let us hope Motou continues the run.
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Any
of you who have met me will know that getting sponsorship for
any sort of athletic activity is not really my scene but I was
asked to support a great fundraising cause for Prostate Cancer
UK and all I was required to do was to grow a moustache during
the month of November – the campaign is cunningly named Movember
and is gaining a huge following. 
Today's
horse in focus is Pak Jack. Pak Jack was originally raced in
France where he was twice runner up to the classy Exotic Dancer
in his homeland.  | |
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