In the News
The newsletter is back after a bit of a break and it’s been fairly quiet. We’ve had some runners at least as the occasional rain has kept the ground wet enough for our jumpers to run. Unfortunately, we haven’t quite managed to get a win on the board yet, but horses have been running well in defeat and it’s only a matter of time before we manage to make one stick.
Last week’s runners
Valadom ran twice since our last newsletter, firstly at Uttoxeter where he didn’t jump with his usual fluency and parted company with Hugo Hunt at the fourth fence. We made the long trek up to Perth a week later to give him a chance to redeem himself and he indeed jumped much better on that occasion. With Jamie Bargary on board this time, he set the pace early on and led for most of the way. Turning in for home, he was still with every chance, but he had to give way to a strong stayer and a pair of well-handicapped horses in the end. We still picked up some prize money for fourth and his improved jumping was encouraging after that Uttoxeter disappointment.
Petiville stepped up to three miles for the first time over hurdles at Cartmel, making his handicap debut. Jamie Bargary was doing the steering and he ran a lovely race. He jumped his hurdles well and travelled smoothly throughout. He got to the lead at the second last and battled hard, but course specialist Morning Royalty grabbed the spoils and we had to settle for second. That’s now two seconds and two thirds in four starts for us, but he will have his day. The front two were a long way clear of a good horse in Golden Doyen (rated 142) in third. Hopefully the handicapper won’t be too harsh though!
Our final runner in the past few days was Highway Storm. Jamie Bargary again took the ride and in ground that was probably quick enough, he claimed third at Uttoxeter over three mile two. He raced prominently and jumped well on only his fifth start over fences. He had to give weight away to most of his rivals here and I think that told in the end as two rivals carrying less weight managed to just edge him out at the finish. He was less than two lengths behind at the finish and the front three were well clear of the others in the end.
This week’s runners
Our only entry for the coming week is Surf And Turf, who has an entry over Hurdles at Southwell on Tuesday. He is a C&D winner, although that was a good while ago, but he does seem to like the track there. He’s been off the track for a while and we’d need the ground to dry out a bit for him to make an appearance. He’s not getting younger at age eleven now, but he’s still got the ability to win races and hopefully he’ll give a good account.