I’ve been waiting to write that headline for a long time. Major Eazy’s win at the fifth attempt on Saturday night was long overdue, and at last we have confirmation of something we have believed for a long time – he is a proper racehorse. Every jockey who has sat on ME has told us that he is a quality …
Major Eazy tonight
I’ve got some catching up to do, but first a quick note on Major Eazy in the 7:15 at Lingfield tonight. Brian described him this morning as “a certainty”. I’ve been in racing for long enough to know that certainties as described are anything but, and I suspect ME is no exception to this. Two hurdles stand in his way …
Elementary my dear Watson…
What a day!! We thought he was up to it and we were right. It’s a great thrill and also a relief as I’d got a lot of people onto him who don’t often bet. I was quietly happy after the race but also a little melancholy. I don’t take a lot of credit for the horse – I didn’t …
Ascot day 1
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Today’s runners
Two runners today – Mon Michel in the first at Uttoxeter and Master of the Race in the last at Sandown. I’ve just got off the phone to Gary. We’re running Mon Michel because he needs this to qualify for the Jewson in October, which is his early target. If the ground is too firm then we will pull him …
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 …