Week 4 Roundup

Flat

Nothing of any note happened on Monday or Tuesday, but Wednesday gave me something to cheer about.

Race 22, Highland Croft, won the Bancroft 0-80 Handicap, storming home in the last half furlong.
Race 27, Shipwrecked Boy, came 5th in the Lingfield Mile Maiden in his first outing of the season.


Jumps

Monday was a good solid day of racing with 6 out of 7 runners finishing in the money.

Tuesday was the best day of the week, with 2 winners and a couple of placers.
Race 11, Banterbury Maid, won the 16f G2 Novices Hurdle by almost 3L to make it two wins in consequetive weeks.
Race 18, Quiet Man, won the 18f Listed Hurdle. He redeemed himself this week after 2 good runs in weeks 1 & 2, but a disastrous run in week 3. I wasn't sure if 2m 2f would be too short as he is best over 2m 4f.

Wednesday, didn't have may runners and most were over the longer distances where my stable is weakest. The highlight of the day was Pinnacle Boys 2nd place in race 21, the G1 Novices Hurdle. The disapointment of the day was Parkland Girl in race 22, the G1 hurdle. She had won on her last 2 outings and I had high hopes for her, but was run into 6th place.


Summary of week 4

Flat - 1 x 1st, 1 x 5th

Jumps - 2 x 1st, 3 x 2nd, 3 x 3rd, 3 x 4th, 2 x 5th


To my delight, I am lying in 5th place in the NH trainers championship, the highest I have ever been in all the seasons I have played starters orders. I don't suppose it will last long as I often start the season strong, but fade away as the season progresses and the handicapper catches up with my horses.

Can we run two in the Hennessy Gold Cup.

Also can I turn a 2yo into a 3yo in the window.

I have already entered 2 John

Thanks Paul.

Hennessey welsh national and grand national have always been 2 runners.

next season for the 2yo as it will stay 2 the whole season

A whole bunch of 4th and 5th place finishes. Productive in terms of prize money.

Day three summary

Flat

Solent Green - 7th never really featured needs to lose some weight

High Tide - 2nd so nearly got up for my first ever flat win. Good run

Disposed Ingleby - 7th stayed well but left all to do

Sea of Tranquility - 8th better than expected showing in this top class field

Crystalline - 15th dreadful run, really should have sent him chasing


Jump

Coconut Shy - 9th good run last week, not in the same class today

Leaving Las Vegas - 10th was in it for a bit, but weakened under the weight

National Sensation - 6th jumped round for a change and stayed well but top weight and sticky ground killed his chances from the outset

William coconut - 8th faded away, true to form

Xternal- 5th decent run, happy enough

Gloria Slap - 10th stayed on one paced could be for the chop

The Tortoise- 3rd solid run but will not help her future in the handicaps

Josh

week 5 nhc
race 11 - 11Amlin 1965 Chase - Festival Empress hoping for a place this time
race 17 Gerry Feilden Listed H'cap Hurdle Dazzling Divine i know he going to get a place soon
race 16 Berkshire Novices' Chase G2 Brokethegate Garanciere - if this horse wins wow you will all hear about it lol
race 23 Moores Millions Stayers (Leg 7) Applaude great pace ew

Week 5 - Monday

Flat

High Tide - 10th never up to the pace today, likely needs a furlong longer

Podgies Boy - 3rd plodded round for money in a small field but was never a threat

Storm Rising - 2nd ran on really well and made the close interesting but not sure he should be giving weight to velvet underground

Need for speed - 9th never really a factor

Crystalline - 1st has found his mark, good win even if off low weights for my first ever flat winner in the league.

Breaking Glass - 8th not in the same class as these G1 monsters

Boldy Going - 8th never going to threaten at g1 level. Outclassed

Prohibition Almighty - 10th or dead last, thought he may do a little better than this, work to be done with my flat horses as he remains the best I have trained at this distance


Jump

Emergence - 2nd good run from another who always seems to be the bridesmaids, won't aid his handicap rating either.

Chess - 3rd ok run from this horse who remains a disappointment, may switch to hurdles. Could have been worse if it were not for Sally Army's fall.

Dominion of Saints - 12th still waiting for the handicapper to see what I know and forgive him his fluke maiden win. To heavy in handicaps not good enough on an even keel.

William Coconut - 2nd made all early, faded at 3f and then gave me the shock of my life by waking up to rally for a late challenge, unexpected. PS Last Ben is my hero

The Stunner - 3rd good run again, found a few to good again. Another bridesmaids seeking to be a bride.

Exit Potentially - 11th no way near enough class to carry top weight here, is a race killer for most certainly those who are mediocre handicappers at best.

The Estate - 5th great race generally and a really classy field. Gave a good account of himself and stayed well. Time to power up my old PC and see if I have a version of him in an old transfer pool as he just died in the barn at 19yo.

Josh

What can i say? 'Last Ben'!

lovely days racing/losing and great comms always very enjoyable, thank you all very much

Flat
R1 Bel Bolide - Drawn in the car park. Never had a prayer.
R2 Golden Shot (2nd)- Ran well enough. Beaten by a better horse.
R4 Velvet Underground (1st) - Plum draw and got a dream run to make it 3 wins from last 4 starts.
R6 Roman Holiday - Terrible effort. Never got into the race. Only positive is her rating might drop a few pounds.
R7 Identity (5th) - Given too much to do so have to be happy with 5th.
R8 Volunteer (7th) - Raced wide and never got into the race.

NH
R3 Looby Lou (3rd) - Super effort. I thought the trip was too short so really happy with that.
R4 Fool On The Hill (8th) - Ran for a hurdles rating.
R6 King Kong (6th) - Struggled to go the pace and never got into the race. Might be better suited by 3m.
R7 Leatherface (6th) - Solid effort but is better over an extra 1f or 2.
R8 Grey Skies (4th) - Ran well again without ever looking like she would win.
R9 Imhotep - Well beaten in the end but ran ok til he got outpaced down the straight.

Congrats to Josh on your first flat winner and well done all other winners and placers.

Lyonshall makes it 2 from 2 in the extreme qualifier! Will be very tough to make it a hatrick.

Congrats to the classic winners today!

Chuffed to bits with Nissaki winning the Greatwood, was adamant he was so well in but confidence was dented after his poor run in the Elite Hurdle. Looking forward to the Hennessy with his half brother Blue Blood, should run well.

Thanks to all the team for the endless hard work and dedication.

And congrats to Colin Clarke with Char Kaddood in the Betfair, he deserved that after last season, love the way that horse runs, very gutsy.

Well done to Josh and Colin.

FINALLY! I had something to get excited about!

Noverre Koo ran 4th in the Betfred Treble Odds Hcp - really unlucky not to at least run 3rd as it was held up from about the 3 furlong to the 2 furlong. Well done to Vinny's horse!

King Noverre ran 4th as well in the Whitsun Cup. May need another furlong. And well done to Ephraim Magopa's horse!

Is Ephraim a new trainer?

Doug.