A great day’s racing and a runner in the Hennessy meet in the shape of Mon Michel. MM’s flat form suggests he likes soft ground, but he’s changed as he’s grown up and he prefers it better now – it could be a little on the soft side for him, but it’s a nice day and he’s in the last …
Triskaidekaphobia
Lilac Moon runs in the 3:30 at Lingfield today in an all age 0-62 handicap. Nicky says she is better than ever – looking great in her coat and dead keen to get on the gallops at home. When we got her she was a little lame and for a while she was a bit reticent to train, but her …
My Way or the highway
A great day’s racing today with a lot of questions to be answered. The feature race of the day is the Betfair Chase at Haydock – I was going to go up but it’s difficult with the children. Kauto Star looks to repeat his victory from last year, and is odds on at the moment. I have him in my ten to …
England expects
Apologies for the aftertiming, but what was McClaren playing at last night? I’m no expert on football, but yesterday’s game was the most important and high pressure game played in England for years – on occasions like this experience carries a lot of weight and youthful exuberance very little. I spent most of yesterday puzzling why Scott Carson was in the …
Time for reflection
I had trouble accessing the blog over the weekend and wasn’t able to post. This was probably a good thing as I gave Mon Michel a squeak in his pipe opener – he ran vaigly ok, finishing in mid division having tired on the ground and through the odd mistake. We’ll be aiming him at the big handicap hurdles he can …
Better forgotten ?
Bert has been tied up with work and I was remiss in failing to flag up his runner at Kempton yesterday. However, since Better Together was tailed off and pulled up 2 out, this was perhaps no bad thing. Whilst expectations were limited in a decent race, it was undeniably a disappointing run. I wouldn’t be surprised if a problem …
Tristesse
A long day yesterday. It’s been a while since I’ve made it to the racecourse so I decided to take a day out – it isn’t a disaster for me work wise as I can work from home in the morning and I always get a lot done on my Blackberry when I take the train. Ours was running at Chepstow …
Treble chance thwarted
Bert is on his way to Chepstow and has asked me to pass on this morning’s news. Nicky Vaughan reports that Shepherds Warning is running a slight temperature and was a little lethargic when trotted out this morning. He suspects she may be coming in season. As a result, she will not be running this evening. Lilac Moon is fine …
Long distance treble
Three runners today, which is a first for me. Ours makes his debut in the 1:55 at Chepstow – he wasn’t a cheap purchase but 2 mile hurdles are not going to be his game. Nick doesn’t have a clear view on how he will run as he’s working well some times and not so well others – on balance …
Roll on the jumps
I’m pretty much done for the flat season now and looking to the jumpers. Mon Michel was down to run tomorrow, but he doesn’t stand his ground after working moderately midweek – we think he’s ok but just needs a little more time. My first runner of the jumps season proper will probably be Ours at Chepstow on Wednesday, and …