Wednesday 9th September 2015 - autumn is here....winners are coming too.

Now that autumn is here, I am pleased to say that the horses are in great form. Another winner this weekend, and some really promising runs lately too – so spirits are high as we head into the core jumps season.

I was over the moon that Belcanto won her bumper in good style at Fontwell on Sunday. I was delighted for the club as a whole and for James O’Toole who bred her and has leased her to the Club.  She deserved to win that after showing two good previous performances, and she built on those and used her experience when running straight and true up the Fontwell hill to win in style.  Brendan rode an extremely intelligent race, and after realising there wasn’t going to be any pace, he used his initiative and let her stride on within herself.  The others came at her, but she pulled out more and showed great tenacity. It was a fantastic day and a good result for the Club. I couldn’t believe how many people came to cheer us on in the winners enclosure - only to find out they were there to see Gazza present the trophy!

Belcanto wins her bumper at Fontwell

Shockingtimes put in a fantastic debut for us when a gallant 2^nd at Huntingdon last week after having had 508 days off the track. He had sustained a tendon injury when in training somewhere else, and I was delighted that he put in such a decent performance on his first outing after such a lay off.  Having been in the right position down the paint, we were unfortunate that the winner made a bad mistake at the first and we ran into the back of him, but on the whole he jumped well.  He stretched at one down the back and was then caught a little flat footed leaving the back straight, but got his second wind and stayed on in the home straight.  A mistake at the 2nd last cost him some momentum, but he stayed on well inside the final furlong to be beaten only a length by an inform rival. 

Shockingtimes coming back into the 2nd spot after 508 days off the track

Talking of horses coming back after a long layoff, Miss Tiger Lily put in an excellent run when 3^rd at Worcester yesterday after over a year off. She had previously won three races on the flat for Harry Dunlop, but then strained a tendon and having spent a year back at her owners stud outside of Marlborough she came to us in the summer. Judging on yesterday’s performance she should be winning her novice hurdle before long.

We head to Uttoxeter today where we run Detroit Blues – he won his novice in May and looked like he was progressing nicely, but his last two runs have been disappointing although he’s had excuses. Today is his handicap debut, and I think he is well over priced at 14-1….