Echo that, congratulations mate

Yeah well done paul, the bug will really get you now



Ha, I like this. Feel I'll be thinking about this line a lot throughout this jumps season

Well let's hope today's a better jumping day for my horses , back to the bad old days this week
Going into this season I thought Night Escapade was my best gold cup horse but after yesterday she might be running in hunter chases My trials are either bleep ( possible with all my front runners) or she's just run what has to be the worst race any of my horses has ever done in the league races.

Last night I done some trials with horses like Run who's performed poorly so far and I put in more hold up horses compared to my 95% front runners in my actual league trials and I can see why he's run poorly, he's clearly a lot worse in league type trial races. It was interesting thing to do, still not changing my breeding though, I'm going down on my front running ship.

Well done Paul on u winner.

Thanks everyone for the kind remarks. I am certainly feeling the love! I don't know about getting the bug - I think I already had it!

Just waiting to come crashing back down to earth today!

Thanks again,

Cheers Paul

Day 3 can only be described as a calamity of shockers, with a fair bit of prize money plundered from the SO8 Cup the only respite.

Maundy Thursday & Prized Princess (Unpl) - Dismayed and bewildered at both performances, Maundy finished a length or so within Yonkers in the maiden and now finishes 15+ lengths behind getting 30lb, how does that work?!?!?! Answers on a postcard please. After Easter Sunday winning off high 70's for Maundy to do that off 67 is bewildering. Only plus point being they may both be thoroughly well handicapped for the Ascot Stakes.

Lucky Berry (Unpl) - Was never going to get close off top weight here, ran alright.

Kew Corner (4th)/Suprastar (Unpl) - Another bewildering result, Suprastar batters everything over 1m4f in trials at home and Kew was running over a trip far too short. Suprastar was in a good position then just fell in a heap, Kew Corner on the other hand, ran into some serious trouble 2f out which held her up for half a furlong and certain she would have got much closer without the hindrances, great run from her.

Purple Ronnie & Druidess (Unpl) - Didn't have much hopes for either in this class.

Master Line & Breton Rose (Unpl) - Master Line ran well for a long way then fell in a heap, Breton Rose needs 6f really.

Death Star (2nd) & Octavian (4th) - Good performances from both, Death Star gave Mallory Towers a far too easy lead and that one had too much pace for him. Some good prize money though.

Rose Alley & Moon Chestnut (Unpl) - Didn't expect much anyway, looks like my 2yo's are bang average.

Lucky Brother (Unpl) - Case and point as above, bang average at very best.

The Outlaw (unpl) - Didn't have a chance in this class but once again, braindead steering being sent as wide as possible rather than taking the inside route. Never given a chance.

Nice day to close out my week with three wins on the NH and two more on the flat, taking me to five on each for the week and the heady heights at the top of the table, just need to catch Jim on money .

Three G1's on the NH too and a couple more promising runs including The Miss and her uncustomary fall at the last. Nice to see my 4yo and 'Potential in Spades' take a G1, was originally thought to be a game flop and potential breeder, but filled out what were dubious looking 2yo bars and its good to see him up with the best on soft ground, extra 1f maybe helped his cause. The Treeman showed me the horse I see at home, like The Widow is specifically bred for 3.2m and Cheltenham, can live with being outpaced in the King George etc. The Lineup will give me options but his main target now will be the Grand Steeple De Paris.

Only disappointment was 'National King' winning who I had hoped would run another shocker and hide until the national..........buggered that up a bit, but a win is a win.

Tough week next week on nominations, rated out in a lot of races...........

Josh

PS - Love your comms Martin, yes we are watching and listening and usually having a chuckle you grumpy old git

Blank week for me can't even win a hunter chase.
Nice to see some new trainers enjoying the league and having some success, bodes well for the future.

Things starting to improve a little but it still seems like it is going to be a tough season, especially on the flat.

Two flat winners this week in lowly handicaps.

2yo Billy Whizz finally lived up to his name and came with a right old rattle at the end to get up in the 2yo AW Qualifier. Was off bottom weight and only won by the shortest of margins so will probably find it hard to follow up.

Mallory Towers made all in her race and can hopefully go in again at some point.

Strange week on the NH. Three winners and lots running well and getting placed which is good on the one hand but not going to help their handicap marks.

Waldorf Project, the only horse I could get into a hunter this week, duly won with a bit in hand. My only concern was whether he got round as he is more of a hurdler. He will return to that sphere now.

Big surprise with Pastime Dreamer taking the G3 Silver Trophy. I much prefer winning these prestigious old handicaps than some of the G1 races so well pleased. Had fallen and pulled up in first two starts so I knew she was better that her mark but wasn't expecting a win. Both her parents were winners over hurdles in the league so she may turn out a bit better. There are plenty of mares hurdles she can go for too.

Polk Salad Annie was an even bigger surprise winning the Munster National. She wasn't that brilliant in the game but was pretty much top rated in trials from 2.5 to 3.5. I wasn't sure that was going to stand up in the racekit but had to put her in the team. Maybe wishing i hadn't put her in as a novice after that performance but she can still run in the G3s so will probably go for the Hennessy next. She can always revert back into novice company if there is a week when they cut up as they often do so expect to see more wins from her.

Thanks for the comments about the commentaries and thanks to Jim and Gray for helping out. Not sure I am going to be able to continue doing as much as the season progresses so there is still a need for more help in that department.

Should start to see a bigger spread on winners this week, feels to me like the handicap are here in anger now as I cannot find that many suitable races for both teams. And more top trainers will continue to be rated out. I may bemoan the lack of races but the handicappers are doing a fine job to get some balance.

Schedule still needs work but without an owner I don’t see it happening.

Another week, another bust out, I thought I had some real chances with Mastermind and Maundy Thursday at least but just not good enough. My horses seem to be always in the back end of the pack and close enough to not get enough leeway from the handicapper rather than tailed off and getting chances off a low rating. Well done all winners and placers and great week for you Paul P, well done.

Easter Sunday (Unpl) - Hero to zero, rubbish run, potentially just won a very poor race last week.

The Predator & Purple Ronnie (Unpl) - Same as usual, mediocre runs at the middle/back of the pack, won't get punished enough to winnable marks by just being fair to middling.

Rose Of Lancaster (Unpl) - As above, in the mixer but at the back.

Mastermind (3rd), Breton Rose (4th) - Really fancied Mastermind here, needed an early lead but Galix gave him nothing. Breton Rose ran better than expected.

Disco Heaven (Unpl) - Constantly hanging on at the back of the field, shouldn't be anywhere near 82, needs some serious respite from the handicapper.

Maundy Thursday (2nd), Prized Princess (4th) - Really fancied Maundy for this, looked to be coming to win the race, got to the leader and then just didn't have enough to go by. She will get her win at somepoint.

Master Line (Unpl) - Ran a reasonable race, needs a hand from the handicapper to have a chance at getting in front.

Lucky Brother (Unpl) - Finally showed some semblance of a decent run, just falling out of the places late on. Had the ideal run and luck in running though.

Thanks Nick, although I thought Maundy Thursday had me beat in what was a really exciting race - thanks Martin for the history lesson about Pontefract.

My best day so far obviously...

Crop Duster - just stayed awake long enough to win the 2m5f marathon

Fighting Edge - at the start of the season I thought he was my best horse so great to see him live up to those expectations. Hard not to include him in the Derby now next week.

And a 4th in a G3 over the jumps with Sizzling Tale running a great race albeit off a low weight.

To answer Martin's question about the hole at Wincanton - I am originally from that neck of the woods (Salisbury to be precise) and it would have to be a munitions pit left over from WW2. It's on the edge of Salisbury Plain, a lot of military activity going on there. Either that or it's where the horses from the 2m5f marathon at Pontefract end up!

Thanks again to everyone that makes this happen.

Cheers Paul

What’s in the hole? Don’t know myself.

Looking like my team has definitely got worse. Only 3 wins over both codes. Was hoping to beat last seasons combined of 32. Way it’s going I’ll be lucky to hit 20. Flat team looks especially poor. At least I have the hunters to look forward to on Day 3

To answer your question Mart, I think it's my Donkey flat horses being kept down in that ditch. Again a much better day over the jumps for me than the flat. Most horses seem to be running really well. San Pedro Dreams may actually have a shot in the Champ Hurdle at this rate. Onlyreal horse of note today

NH - So had expected a tough start to the week and got exactly that, had a lot of horses who were in unsuitable races or getting marks, the few I fancied nearly all ran 2nd so just the one win from my handicap banker of the week. Had better improve tomorrow since I have nothing in for day three.

Only had 5 races to shoot at for day one and picked up win in two. Heart of Oak is a bit special and I think she will be hard to beat at Epsom, it’s an odd track but she takes to it well at home. Time of the Beast was a surprise, never won a race at trial but against Heart of Oak, the 3yo version of You Belong to Me (and two more I am holding back) he never got a look in, the girls are just too good, but when measured against the colts he stands up well. Front running style should suit Epsom but I am less confident of a repeat.