Thursday 31st March 2022 - winner no 45 and one shy of our PB.

It was lovely to have another couple of winners last week, as we move onto 45 winners for the season – one short of our personal best. 

It was a great thrill to see our first homebred, Midnight Centurion winning a maiden hurdle at Ludlow.  He had finished 2^nd in two bumpers last term and had been placed in a three novice hurdles this season, so he deservedly got his had in front under a fine ride from Page Fuller, especially as it transpired she was riding with a broken thumb.  She is having it operated on this week, so will be out of action for a moment.  I’d like to think Midnight Centurion can win under a penalty this spring before he goes novice chasing in the autumn. 

Midnight Centurion wins over hurdles at Ludlow.

Soldier Of Destiny jumped superbly when winning his second novice chase of the season last week at Haydock.  A race we won in the past with Hogans Height and Scorpion Sid.  Gavin gave Soldier a wonderfully positive ride back over 2m4 and his jumping was exuberant.  We’ll call it a day this season with him now and I look forward to early next season when we might think about something like the Paddy Power Gold Cup with him.  Exciting times.

Soldier of Destiny wins again, and looks a promising young chaser.

Two winners last week could well have been four, as poor Cornicello didn’t have any luck when almost knocked over and then falling at Huntingdon when looking likely to win.   He took a nasty fall, but thankfully he is none the worse for it, unlike Gavin who tore some ligaments in his ankle. 

Whilst, Super Survivor would surely have won with a clear run when just failing to get up at Chepstow.  I’d like to run him again this season, but only if we get some April showers, otherwise I very much look forward to seeing him novice chasing next season. 

I was pleased with Dusky Days hurdling debut when 2^nd at Fontwell.  He was a good bumper horse, and looks to have a nice future over hurdles too.  The same can be said of Sea the Clouds who was 2^nd again in another bumper, and I think he’ll be one to look forward to next season after a summer holiday.  Jack Sprat was 4^th on his racecourse debut in a competitive Chepstow bumper, and is another young horse who has shown plenty of promise.

Jack Sprat shows a great deal of promise on his racecourse debut.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t add to our Cheltenham Festival winning tally this year, but all three runners ran with credit.   Kiltealy Briggs put in a bold jumping display in the Ultima, but just failed to stay, and drops back in trip in the Grade 2 Future Starts Novice chase at Ayr on Saturday.  Milldam was mid division in the Boodles, but could have done with some softer ground (it was pretty quick ground on the Tuesday) and will be a smart novice hurdler next season.  Obviously, it rained heavily on the Wednesday, and that turned the ground heavy, and Stoney Mountain didn’t appreciate the bog, but ran well considering it. 

Anyhow, it’s great to see the horses maintaining their form throughout the season, and let’s hope we can not only match our PB now, let’s hope we can smash it!