Regular readers may recall Bert posting that I would be making periodic contributions to his blog. I€™m writing now with an update regarding a filly called Etoile Argentee who Bert claimed out of a race at St Cloud as a three year old last May. Sadly, it will be the last update as she is being retired without ever reaching …
No rest for the wicked
The story rolls on – Felon escapes the clutches of the BHA but walks straight into the arms of France Galop. If he fails his B test and gets some more time off he will at least be able to update and release his long awaited autobiography, and it’s going to be a cracking read. I’m having a bad time betting at …
Tragic News
Captain Hurricane died of a heart attack this morning on the gallops. He had recently been transferred to Tom Dascombe and was doing his first serious piece of work this morning. He ran a bit flat and the jockey decided to get off and walk him back to the stable – a few minutes later he keeled over and died …
Entries
I have a few interesting entries this week. Baldovina is declared in a maiden hurdle for David Pipe on Wednesday night. There’s a chance she’ll turn her form around, but I think it’s unlikely. Lord Peter Flint may finally make his debut on Friday. At this stage I don’t know if he’ll stand his ground – we like the horse …
Effing disaster
A very disappointing run from Effingham, who never got into the race and finished down the field at Ponty. The ground, which was good to firm in the morning, was changed to firm with G/F patches immediately after the race. Michael Hills reported that the horse wasn’t enjoying the ground at all. I guess it wasn’t a surprise given he …
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 …
Etoile Argentee – report
Tom has had Etoile Argentee for a while now, and we have had a chance to check her out in full. She is reasonable sized – around 15h3 but solid. She was skinny and appeared underfed on arrival, but nevertheless weighed in at 440kg – for comparison Baldovina weighed in at 410kg and Shawhill 418kg when they arrived. Both are …
French Claim
I claimed a horse from Saint Cloud yesterday – Etoile Argentee. She ran a close third in a 1 mile 3yo fillies claimer on heavy ground – the provisional rating from the Racing Post for the run was 73. She was in for E26k – I bid E31k and I was the only bid (hence I wasted E5k). She was …