I am delighted the autumn has produced lots of winners, with another 9 to add to the tally this month. However, it has been tricky to find the right ground for the winter team, as although we’ve had some rain, we need a lot more of it really. We’re still not working horses on the grass here in Lambourn, and we’re not yet schooling on grass either! However, there is huge excitement at what the next few months will bring, as we have some classy horses in the team, and we look forward to the rest of the winter. We now head into November sitting 5th in the trainer’s table with just under £300k in prizemoney and 28 winners on the board (which doesn’t obviously include our 4 summer flat winners!).
Ride Like A Girl got the month off to a flyer with a lovely win at Hexham under a penalty. It was due reward for her consistency as, after she won a handicap earlier this summer, she has since been second on a couple of occasions, so it was great to see her get her head in front again.
Similarly, Cinnodin deservedly got his head in front again this season when winning at Huntingdon earlier this month. He was our first runner and first winner of the new season, and having run well since, it was great to see him winning again, under a determined ride from Gavin.
Last season bumper winner L’amandine was a convincing winner on her hurdling debut at Southwell. We will look to step her into listed company this season, but might try to defy a penalty first in order to gain some more experience.
Torneo looked to appreciate the step up in trip when winning a Class 2 handicap chase at Ffos Las. We have been keen to get him into the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in the middle of November, and he really needed to win to get his handicap mark high enough to secure a place in the race. That victory should hopefully see him scrape into the bottom of the handicap, and he will head there with a decent chance.
It was lovely to see Rebel Tribesman win for the third time this season, when setting a track record at Wetherby. He thoroughly deserved the win after being beaten a neck at Hexham four days previously. He was given a great ride by Johnny Burke for Old Gold Racing.
Tommy Pickles made a winning start to his season when defying a penalty in a novice hurdle at Sedgefield following up his win at Bangor at the end of last season. He will now go novice handicap chasing.
Senator looks a novice chaser on the up as he looked impressive when winning on his chasing debut at Stratford under a lovely ride from Gavin. He jumped well, appreciated going up in trip, and I am sure he will keep progressing and we can utilise his valuable weight for age allowance.
I was thrilled to have a winner at Cheltenham during their Showcase Meeting. Ballycrystal Boy won the bumper impressively. He won an Irish Point-to-Point and we bought him at the Cheltenham Festival sale. We are likely to be patient with him this season, as he is only four, and may look towards a Listed bumper at Ascot just before Christmas.
Our ninth winner of the month was Wilde’s Legacy, who was a dual bumper winner last season, and he wasn’t beaten far in the Champion bumper at the Cheltenham Festival, when he didn’t get a clear run. He made his hurdling debut a winning debut when he bolted up at Newcastle earlier this week. He showed plenty of speed after the last and looks another who can hopefully defy a penalty before stepping up in grade.
We have had a plethora of near misses this month too. We have had a plethora of near misses this month too. La Conquiere was beaten a head in the Listed mares hurdle at Wetherby on Charlie Hall chase day. She did very little wrong, and looks to have improved on her first run out of novice company. She could head to Newbury’s Hennessey meeting next for the Gerry Feilden.
Sapphos Word and Lord de Gouet were both second on their respective hurdling debuts. Having been placed in bumpers last season, I am sure there is plenty of progress to come from both with their seasonal debuts under their belts.
Ride Like A Girl followed up her win at Hexham with a fine 2nd Stratford back in handicap company, while Hardy Du Seuil was also second on his seasonal debut over fences at Market Rasen. I am sure he will appreciate coming back in trip on softer ground through the winter.
Mon Missel was beaten a head in the bumper at Newcastle under Gavin. He was 3rd on his debut at Stratford earlier this month and really dug deep at Newcastle and ran all the way to the line. He surely deserves to win a bumper before he goes novice hurdling.
Roger Pol was another to finish second this month under Izzi Ryder who is currently leading the conditional jockeys championship. It’ll be amazing if we can back Izzi all the way through to see her crowned in April! She was also 2nd this month on Donnie Azoff who has been a model of consistency all summer.
Prolific winner, Handlethekettle finished 2nd up at Wetherby – he just bumped into a very well handicapped rival, but hopefully he can get back into the winners enclosure next time for the Racing Club.
Of our other runners this month, Our Guide finished third in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow, and he might be one we target at the Pertemps final at the Cheltenham Festival. Jackstell was also 3rd at Hereford under a good ride from Izzi. Whilst Lady Tadita also put in a good performance when jumping nicely on her chasing debut to finish third.
Silver Hill was beaten only a length and a half on his chasing debut at Newcastle, which was a very pleasing start to life over fences. I am sure he will improve with that experience under his belt, and there should be a big staying handicap chase in him before the season is out. Meanwhile Kel Du Large also made a pleasing start over fences when fourth at Bangor. He may benefit from coming back in trip, particularly when we get some softer ground through the winter.
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