A good day ahead. Winker ducks the first to go for the Norfolk. I’ve heard very strong reports on Henry the Navigator who is apparently the best of O’Briens by some way. He’s probably the best horse in the race, but he is favourite and O’Brien has seen a number of his leading lights beaten in this race over the …
Baldy disappoints
I was very disappointed with the way Baldovina ran on Sunday – she never looked like getting into the race. She’s been doing some eye catching work at home and in time I thought she’d become one of the stars of the string, but on the basis of that run she’s not going far. I’m hoping that something will come up to …
Update from Tom’s yard
I went to see Tom Dascombe on Thursday, and welcome Shawhill back from France. The RP rated her run 99, and Timeform gave it 95. We’ll continue to aim her at listed races or better. Baldovina was well and she may run tomorrow. We’ve been trying to get a run into her for a while, but she keeps returning dirty …
Ascot looms…
…and I’m beginning to get excited. Winker is extremely well and we’ve been arguing the toss with Pete all week as to which race he’ll go for. It’s looking like we’re going for the Norfolk on Thursday. Major Eazy will run in the Windsor Castle on Tuesday, and Frankie is taking the ride. He’s run in the best 2yo company …
Today’s bet
I’m having a small bet today on Coyote Creek, who impressed me when third behind Shawhill a couple of runs back. He’s been third since then – he was unlucky that day and I think the trip was a little short in any case. He should go well today – I’d have a decent bet if he was more of …
Shawhill shines
I’ve had an enormous number of second places this year, and there haven’t been many that I have been genuinely happy about. Shawhill’s courageous second place in France, clobbered close to the line with a decent gap back to third, is one I will remember affectionately for a long time. Taking a horse abroad is not easy. We took Shawhill across on the …
Thoughts for the day
I’ve had a little time to go through the card today and I’ve made a few calls, but not a lot to report. I’ll be having two small bets. Cassies Choice makes a belated appearance as a 3yo in the 3.30 at Redcar – she might be an improver and the conditions look right. Equally she could need the run …
RIP Berkhamsted
I was sad to hear that my former horse, Berkhamsted, was put down on Saturday after breaking down at Towcester. Evan Williams bought him off me in the February sale at Tattersalls and immediately took him novice chasing – this was a pretty bold move by Williams as Berky was a flat horse who had only run a couple of …
Shawhill in France
Shawhill, who has run extremely well for me without winning, takes her chance tomorrow in a listed race at Le Lion D’Angers in France. It’s a fairly bold move – she’s proved that she’s a decent handicapper but she’s done nothing to suggest she can compete at listed level. I’m very happy to be taking this chance. It’s the right …
Catching up
Mon Michel ran second, ridden to sleep by a horse I suspect will turn out to be pretty decent. It was disappointing but not surprising – he’ll always be better value at long odds in a competitive handicap than as a short priced favourite in a little race. Master of the Race ran another poor race – we’ll probably stick him …