6th June 2015 - summer finally arrives

As we finally move into summer and the weather begins to improve, so we have been turning more horses out for their holidays. I’ve been pleased with our bumper runners lately, but we haven’t had too many others on the track.

Our Three Sons improved on his debut bumper effort when beaten a neck to finish 2^nd again at Fontwell this week. Unfortunately he just bumped into a useful sort, but the rest of the field were a long way back. It was a shame not to win, but he’s a lovely type and is sure to do well for his summer holiday, and will be able to win his bumper in the autumn. He’ll head out now into the field with Lunar Flow who didn’t improve on his debut effort. However, he is a different type of horse, and I think he’s growing a great deal at the moment and has just gone a bit weak on us.

I was over the moon with Belcanto’s racecourse debut at Soutwell earlier this week, where she finished 3^rd in a big and competitive field. She was understandably a little bit green but she travelled nicely until she was slightly outpaced leaving the back straight.  However, she responded well to pressure and ran on strongly up the home straight, weaving between horses and was doing her best work inside the final furlong to finish 3rd, beaten only 5 lengths, with a further 7 lengths back to the 4th horse.  The first two horses had run before, and the second had won previously as well. 

Belcanto in the paddock before finishing 3rd in a bumper on her racecourse debut.

It was a great shame that Ley Lady Grey fell at the 3^rd last flight of hurdles at Fakenham last weekend as she had just hit the front, and looked to have a great chance. She’s a bit stiff and sore, but she’ll be ok and will hopefully get another opportunity before long. At the same track we ran Lord Of The Dunes, who finished 5^th on his first run for almost a year, and his debut for us too. I think we’ll bring him back in trip on his next start, and I am sure he’ll improve for that run too. Meanwhile Bishop Of Ruscombe has had a minor wind op after his hurdling debut as he made a noise.

I was lucky enough to head to the FA Cup Final last Saturday where we saw Arsenal lift the cup. It was an amazing atmosphere and we thoroughly enjoyed the whole day and were treated to 4 spectacular goals from Arsenal.

Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup Final

As much as we are trying to bolster our winter crew, it is also important to have a few on the go over the summer, and so I was chuffed that we managed to recruit a 3 year old gelding called Ventura Castle. He is by Paco Boy and out of a sister to a jumping winner, from the family of the Guineas winner, Lahan. He has won twice over 1m2 on the flat and is rated 73 in that discipline, and as he has taken well to jumping he should be able to pay his way in the early juvenile hurdles. I am aiming him for Uttoxeter on 11^th June, so he’s jumping most days now.

Ventura Castle schooling at home.

Another horse that arrived earlier in the week is a 6 year old mare called Mollyanna. She is a full brother to Oscar Time, who has been placed in two Grand Nationals! She won a maiden hurdle at Sligo last month, and she should be able to defy a penalty before heading over fences where she should excel over staying trips. She will make a smashing broodmare down the line.