In the News
It’s been very much a stop-start sort of season so far, with runners having been out in dribs and drabs. We’re finally getting softer ground, but in some places, there’s been so much rain that it’s getting too heavy! Not that we’re being picky, of course. We’ve only had a couple of runners with Dame Rose and Ramonex the only ones that have been out since the last letter. Going Gold was declared a few times but hasn’t yet made it to the track. Hopefully, that’ll change soon. It’s been frustrating, obviously, not to get going properly yet, but it is what it is. Not much we can do about the weather alas.
Meanwhile, the building work at Bobble Barn is on-going, with a new barn being built and quarantine facilities being prepared for horses coming from France and from the sales. Speaking of which, there’s there’s been plenty of success for the bloodstock side of the business with Alpha Des Obeaux impressively claiming the Grade Two Clonmel Oil Chase and Clarcam taking the Grade Two Fortia Chase over at Navan. And a bit longer ago, Disko claimed a Grade Two as well at Down Royal. Hopefully, they’ll all get plenty more success in the season to come.
Previous Runners
Dame Rose made her second start over hurdles at Newbury in a very strong race and wasn’t disgraced in finishing third to two very good horses in Cap Soleil and Countister. She had to give both of those five lbs and we tried to make the most of her stamina over the two-mile trip, making sure it was run at a good gallop, but in the end, that just set it up for two smart horses. She’ll be better once she goes further, but she’s only a four year old and we’ll have to keep her sound and not overextend ourselves. We know she has talent and we’re still very excited about her going forward.
Ramonex was well beaten on his chase debut in a tough enough race at Warwick. The track is a tricky jumping test for a novice and he was going ok, being held up, until an error ended his chances. He was a bit outpaced at the time and will probably do better over further. He did complete the race and will have learned plenty from that going forward. He too is only a young horse and has time on his side.
This week’s runners
Speaking of Ramonex, he heads to Catterick on Friday the 24th, stepping up in trip to two miles and three furlongs in a beginners’ chase. It’s another race that looks tricky enough on the face of it, with Alzammaar (narrow second last time) and Divine Spear (decent hurdler) entered as well. Danny Cook takes the ride and we hope to get another nice run to give him some more experience.
On the same card, Going Gold is set to make his stable debut for us in a bumper. He’s a winner of an Irish Point-to-Point before having two bumper runs for Rebecca Curtis last season. The first of those, he showed plenty in finishing third behind Poetic Rhythm. That one has since won a Listed bumper at Cheltenham and a Grade Two novice hurdle at Chepstow. He wasn’t so good at Ascot the next time, but we’re hoping he can make an impact this season. Danny Cook again takes the ride.
Shantou Flyer is entered in the big one at the weekend, the Betfair Chase at Haydock. The ground looks pretty desperate. We’re hoping to run, but it will depend on the state of play on Saturday. He does like a bit of cut, but it wouldn’t be any good to blow him up at this early stage of the season. He’s also entered in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury next week, so there is still the chance we could go there instead. He had a racecourse gallop on Tuesday and was grand, so we’ve got options with him.
Finally
Nick Lightfoot has been at the yard for RacingUK’s This Racing Life, which will be repeated a few times on the channel, but you can also watch it back on the website: RacingUK’s This Racing Life
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