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. …
Early morning call
If there’s one thing I dread it’s when a trainer calls me unexpectedly in the early morning. Gary Moore called me early on Friday – Mon Michel is probably out for the season with a leg problem. We don’t know how bad it is yet as he kicked and broke the scanner when we tried to take a look, but …
I’ve had better
I’ve had better weekends. On Friday in the day my main fancies ran badly, although I found a couple of winners to limit the damage. I had three runners in the evening, all fancied a little bit and they all finished tailed off! I decided to have a go at the Scoop6 on Saturday – I put only one in each of the …
Process of elimination
Mon Michel disappointed at Fontwell – he travelled well enough but faded to 5th at the end of the race. We were expecting better. He scoped clean and his blood was good after the race but he did cough – I don’t think he was 100%. No matter – he’s filled out and he’s ripe to go chasing now. Both of my …
Super Star
It finally feels like the jumps season proper has arrived now that the Paddy Power meeting is underway. I’d like to go but I’ve got family commitments – I’m going to Fontwell tomorrow to cheer Mon Michel on in the Tikram hurdle. His future lies over fences but he should have a decent chance of signing off his hurdles career with a …
Thoughts on Melbourne
I’m back at my desk having flown in to a freezing cold Heathrow at 5:30 this morning wearing shorts and a T-shirt. I hardly slept a wink and I’m fading fast – as soon as I’ve done the blog I’m off to bed. I couldn’t have been more impressed with Melbourne – it’s got everything. It’s clean and well maintained …
Major chance
One runner today, and with a very decent chance. Major Eazy, a nice 2yo last year, came back a couple of weeks ago and ran a very nice race at Ascot. We didn’t expect much that day and we were pleasantly surprised – he should be fully fit now and ready to do the business. He has a decent draw …
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; …
Odds-on failure
Another weekend of dashed hopes, capped with Bouguereau finishing down the field in 7th in the Italian Derby. Well at least I can say I’ve had an odds-on favourite in a Group 1, which is rare enough. Bouguereau is a super horse, but he’s a big, fairly lean galloping type with real staying power – he isn’t a speedster, and …
Michel gets in
A winner on Tuesday night with Kings Head doing it nicely. We€™ve believed for a while that he is a decent hurdler in the making and it€™s good to see a little proof of that. He needs top of the ground and he doesn€™t get that often in the winter months, so he€™ll probably always be a summer horse. His …