31st October 2021 - a further three more winners in a busy spell.

I am thrilled to see that the form of the yard has continued with another three more winners in the last couple of weeks of the month. 

Having fallen at the first the previous week, it seemed a long trek up to Carlisle for Hardy Du Seuil, but thankfully it proved to be a fruitful journey as he won pretty impressively.  He jumped well, and quickened up in the style of a smart horse.  He has won on his two completed starts over obstacles now, and looks set for a rise in class.  I had planned to take him to the Grade 2 Rising Stars Novice Chase – the race we won with Ga Law last season – but the handicapper has given us an attractive handicap mark, so we may try to exploit that before going into Graded company.

Hardy Du Seuil wins impressively.

Having won on his handicap, chase, and seasonal debut, Representing Bob needed to improve again to win of a revised mark, and it was lovely to see him winning again at Bangor this time.  He jumped well but looked in trouble down the far side, but he rallied well and Gavin got a lovely seam up the inner to win going away.  I might look to run him back over hurdles this coming week as he could run off just 1lb higher than the day he won first time out at Stratford, and he’d be about 16lbs ‘well in’.

Representing Bob wins again.

Our novice chasers seem to be flying the flag for us this month, and I was delighted to see Legends Ryde back to her best to win on her handicap chase debut at Ffos Las last week.  It was everything we had hoped she would do, as she jumped well and ploughed through the mud to win in the style of a progressive mare.  She had looked a decent horse in her bumper days, especially when 2^nd in a Listed race at Cheltenham, but she lost her way a bit last season, so it was a relief to see her back on song, and huge credit must go to Gordon who rides her each day at home – and she isn’t easy! 

Legends Ryde wins on her chasing debut. 

I took great pleasure in seeing Fact of the Matter running so well to be 2^nd at Cheltenham’s opening meeting under a lovely ride from our young amateur Will Featherstone (no relation to the previous Will Featherstone, who was our conditional a couple of seasons ago!)  Will has only just turned 17 years old, and has been working for us for over a year now.  He had a fair amount of pony racing experience before joining us, and had a pointing winner last season, but this was just his third ride under rules, and it was a ride full of talent.  Fact of the Matter just adores Cheltenham, and might go back next month to try to recapture his cross-country crown! 

Fact of the Matter is 2nd at Cheltenham under young Will.

Braveheart also filled the runners up spot this month, when 2^nd in a bumper at Sedgefield.  He showed enough ability here to suggest he would win a bumper, but we’re on a mission to get him to the Grand Military in March, so we’ll head straight over hurdles now.  Pisgah Pike was another to be 2^nd this month, and picked up £4k for his efforts in a class 3 novice chase at Plumpton – he’s won £20k already this season in novice chases, and deserves a mid-winter break now. 

Another off on holiday is Some Day Soon who was a fine 3^rd at Aintree in a class 2 handicap hurdle last weekend.  He has once again had a very decent summer, and will be back again in the spring.  Whilst a couple of winter horses were 3^rd on their debuts for us – Ottoman Style and the juvenile Cornicello.  The latter named jumped for fun, and looks a horse to follow as he came back with pus in his foot, so the form has to be upgraded further.