Monday 26th October 2020 - another winner keeps the scoreboard ticking over.

If one horse deserved to get his head back in front this season, it was Pisgah Pike, and I was thrilled he won in such decisive style at Plumpton last week.  Having been denied a listed prize at Market Rasen by a short head, he got back to winning ways under Jonathan Burke, as poor Gavin remains on the side-lines.  He travelled and jumped well and put the race to bed in the style of a progressive horse.  I’ll put an entry in for the Grade 3 Greatwood hurdle at Cheltenham, but he won’t run if the heavens open.

Pisgah Pike wins again. 

Talking of Cheltenham, it was wonderful to be back at the home of National Hunt racing last weekend, and despite the lack of a crowd, there was a wonderful atmosphere there, and I have to say, the racecourse did a wonderful job.  We came very close to notching another win there, as Exod’ela stayed on powerfully up the hill to be beaten only 3 lengths.  There should be a nice handicap in him this season, especially when we go up in trip with him. 

Exod'ela is beaten only 3 lengths at Cheltenham's Showcase meeting. 

We had a few runners last week, and I was pleased to see Mustang Alpha back on the right path when he was 2^nd in a Class 2 handicap at Hereford.  He is still a young horse and is improving – I can’t wait to see him over a fence in due course.  Meanwhile, Howdilyoudo and Sovereign Duke were both 3^rd in novice company, and qualify for a handicap mark now.  Sovereign Duke looks the type to improve for the hurly burly of a big field handicap over 2 miles, and I think there is a nice race to be won with him this season.  Alrightjack ran well on his chasing debut, and will certainly find easier assignments later this season, and Feralkat wasn’t beaten far on her bumper debut but is sure to improve over an obstacle and upped in trip.

I suppose the one slight disappointment of the week was Thebannerkingrebel who was 6^th in the Welsh Champion Hurdle.  He came to the 2^nd last looking dangerous, but never quickened up really and stayed on at the one pace.  He did take a blow, and so will improve for the outing, and we might have another look at his wind too.  Its back to the drawing board slightly here…….

I counted up we had 20 unraced babies at the start of the season, primarily as we didn’t get to run a fair few in the spring, but anyway we’ve taken advantage of the recent rain to work them on the grass, and below is a lovely clip of a group of them on the famous Lambourn grass gallops last week. 

https://youtu.be/z_nKbySLoOQ