Nosey

A good run from Marine Boy yesterday, looking for a moment as if he might win.  He eventually finished fifth, but the form in these Newmarket handicaps generally stands up and with luck we may win one with him sooner rather than later. No runners today but an excellent days racing.  I’ll be siding with Jeremy Noseda in the first …

Hoping

Marine Boy goes today in a listed race at Newbury.  It’s been frustrating but I still believe in him – clearly the market is losing faith and his price gets ever longer.  The overnight rain (assuming it came) is a positive for him – he doesn’t mind how soft it gets. He’s been disappointing lately but there are no indications …

Conspiracy

I’m going through a quiet period horse wise.  Mon Michel is probably out for the season, and he was possibly my best prospect for this year.  Tifernati was bought to go hurdling this year, but he had a massive wart on his backside which had to be removed – he should go in to Gary’s at the beginning of January.  …

Supreme team

I went down to Lambourn yesterday and spent the morning with Tom Dascombe.  He’s extended his stable by taking over the stables next door – until recently the home of Paul Blockley.  I had a look at all my horses. There isn’t a lot to report.  All were well.  Marine Boy continues to impress with his physique, as does Max …

The Prince and the King

A disappointing day yesterday on the track and an expensive one for my account but by no means a disaster. Nicky Nutjob was disappointing, but it’s probably not the end of the world.  He’ll improve plenty for the experience, but he’s not looking like a sharp or early type – he’ll probably be more effective over longer distances when he’s older. …

Go on the boy

Three runners today in the first three races at Newbury.  In brief;  Nicky Nutjob is a decent prospect but probably no more than that.  I doubt he’ll win – a place is a possibility.  Skid Solo is a star on the home gallops but has been very disappointing on the track.  He could surprise us and win today but I …

Victim of success

I read the piece on Tom Dascombe in the RP today, and the fact that he has closed his stable for a while.  Obviously I’ve known about it for a few days – some of Tom’s horses have been running terribly, and on a number of occasions horses that were expected to go well came stone last. I don’t think Tom …

Feeling sheepish

No good for Pansy, but an fair run and the general view seems to be that she’s still a bit of a baby and will progress as the season goes on.  She didn’t look to get the mile and seven furlongs looks more the ticket.  Next time out we’ll run her up with the pace a little more.  The positives; …

Comeback trail

I’m having a quiet time of it at the moment – the weather’s been horrible and I’ve had a bad cold.  I haven’t had any runners and I haven’t been betting either – I’m still licking my wounds from my big bet on Marine Boy. Marine Boy may come out again at Haydock on Saturday, and we’ll be looking for …

A bad weekend at the office

Ugh.  My hopes and dreams from Friday lie crushed and broken. Marine Boy‘s run was too bad to be true.  He’s a lot better than that – in a sense I’d have been more concerned if he’d been beaten a couple of lengths.  He scoped clean after the race and he trotted up fine – we couldn’t see anything wrong.  …