Making The Grade
Happy Easter – a chocoholics dream weekend! My twelve-step programme involves starting with mini eggs and making my way up!
The week started with a bit of a road trip – we headed out to Ludlow on Monday to see Volkovka contest the 2m4f handicap chase there. Long jaunts on motorways give me the chance to catch up with trainers – and it was good to hear from Donald Mccain that Dino Bellagio had come through a proper piece of work the previous Saturday and was fine. He had been scoped that morning, and was A1, so although it is still one day at a time with him, he is still on course to run in the Bumper that closes the Grand National Meeting on Saturday. I arrived in Ludlow in good spirits, and in bright sunshine looking forward to seeing Volkovka continue her first season over fences. Volkovka is by Camelot and has a completely ‘flat’ pedigree so the switch to chasing has not been a simple exercise for her this winter. It has been made trickier with her not getting the conditions that she relishes – 2m, stiff, right-handed track on soft ground. As we know, most of the winter has been the driest on record, with tracks watering in January and February – when we did get rain it seemed to freeze for a significant period around the same time – and if there were meetings on – they were either on left-handed tracks, or over an unsuitable trip. It has been a trying time for her owners, and some took the decision to relinquish their shares three parts of the way through the season. The team at Ravenswell have been adamant that there are good races to be won with her over fences, it was just a matter of her getting as much experience under her belt as possible this season, which will benefit her hugely when (hopefully) she gets her ideal conditions next winter. Trust the process. Fergal and Sally were so confident that this was the case, that they recommended her new syndicate members to join in when the shares became available. Mondays run was another step along the path – again – 2m4f not ideal – but it would be another round of jumping under her belt. The ground was beautiful – I don’t think I have ever seen Ludlow look better at the end of a season, a lovely covering of grass and some nice juicy ground. Liam Harrison once again in the plate, and he gave her a lovely ride, building on what he had learnt the last day in a similar heat. Volkovka jumped well again for a novice, making just one mistake at the last in the back straight, a fence that she had had a problem with on her last visit to the track. Despite the error, she did not lose any ground, and was bang in contention as they spread out and sprinted for home off the home turn. Jumping was now very important, and she was excellent at the final four fences, particularly brave at the last two – but in the end she was just run down on the run in after jumping the last with a slight lead. Liam felt that she had just been outstayed over the 2m4f trip, and being a jockey, was gutted to have been beaten – those of us that were there were thrilled with the performance and are already looking forward to next winter with her. Her close second here means that she remains a novice for next season, and there will be plenty of opportunities for her with this season’s experience under her belt.
Lovely Ludlow
Volkovka looked a picture in the paddock
Volkovka post race
From Ludlow I headed down the M5 to Andoversford and another night in the Frogmill. A room upgrade was nice – but I don’t think I would stay there again – I have mentioned the service on here before – and it has not improved, and I had one of the worst dinners I have ever had – I didn’t know anyone could do such a bad job with a simple portion of fish and chips! A real shame, as it is such a lovely building, and a gorgeous spot and really handy for a visit to Ravenswell – but it is not value, and I will be looking for an alternative when I next make a road trip. Thankfully we are back to see Kev and Jules at The Kilkeney when we are down for the April meeting in Cheltenham – really looking forward to catching up with them both!
Thankfully Ravenswell never lets you down! The frost was a bit of a shock first thing though! -5 when I got in the car! It was a bit parky for first lot, but soon warmed up into a beautiful morning. Good to see Darran and his family, who were in to see Blue Bikini, and when we had seen three lots at Ravenswell, we all headed down to see their other horse Intrepide Sud, down with Jason.
First lot at Ravenswell we saw Fortune Forever do a lovely bit of work – she has an entry in a mares bumper in Southwell on Wednesday, and should she take up the engagement she will go there in great form. This will be her fourth and final start of the season – she has needed the time to strengthen and develop and we decided early on that she would just have the four starts in bumpers this time round. It is a route we have taken with plenty of our young horses over the past few years, and it has always borne fruit. They learn so much during their times in bumpers that it really does stand them in good stead for the rest of their careers. This first year also gives them a chance to mature physically, meaning they are better suited to the rigours of jumping hurdles the following season. Second lot we saw Blue Bikini work really well with a nice bumper horse. Blue Bikini has been declared to run in a handicap hurdle in Market Rasen this afternoon and goes there in great order. She was a good winner on her belated seasonal debut in Taunton, and then flopped badly in Plumpton where she had won before, and where we fancied her to run another big race. Thankfully there was a reason for the run, and you can put a line through it – she has been given plenty of time to get over her Plumpton exertions, and hopefully she can run another good race today. Third lot, great to see Greyval and Mamoon Star looking in such good order on the round gallop. Greyval has come out of her Huntingdon win in great form – it was nothing more than a piece of work for her in all honesty, and when I saw her on Tuesday morning she was still very much on track to run in Cheltenham later in the month, as I type she is still in great heart, but now has an entry in the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle in Aintree on Thursday! On Friday morning, I was just tracking Blue Bikini’s declaration in Market Rasen, in the hope that as we anticipated, the race would split, and end up in two divisions – at the same time I was keeping an eye on the entries for the Juvenile Hurdle in Aintree which, judged by the level of entries, was fast becoming an option for Greyval. The highest rated horse entered was 133, and with Greyval getting a 7lb filly’s allowance, it meant that she was right in the mix – so I asked Fergal to pop her in. It was certainly worth a look – and if you are not entered you can’t run, at least having an entry gives us the option. Greyval already has her black type, from winning the Listed Hurdle in Doncaster in January, but it would be huge for her future career (and value) as a broodmare should she gain some Grade 1 black type. It is an option – there is a huge prize fund, and a decision as to her participation will be made early next week. Mamoon Star is also in fantastic form, he looked great on Tuesday, but Fergal actually rang me on Thursday to say how well he was! He has always had a habit of jumping out to his right, but rather than improve, this has got worse as he has run more times over hurdles. I had a long chat with Kev the vet while I was in the yard, and we have come up with a plan to try and discover why he is doing it. I also had a long chat with Neil, and we have also decided to step him up in trip slightly on his next start to see if that will help him. So, should he come through the checks next week, he is likely to be seen out over a slightly longer trip and on genuine good ground next time.
A big first lot
Fortune Forever working
Blue Bikini worked great witrh a nice bumper horse.
Greyval
From Ravenswell we headed over to Ivy Lodge Farm to see the team there. Intrepide Sud was still in his box so that Darran could see him before he headed out to his paddock. He looks great, and will have a good summer at grass before returning to training. He will be aimed at novice hurdles next season, where his incredible jump will stand him in good stead. He is a bumper winner, but it is over obstacles where he will really be seen at his best! Cloud Dancer is nearing the end of his box rest period. He was found to be lame behind after his win in Newbury, but nothing ever came to light, so we took the decision to lock him up for a month and see how he is after that. We did just give him a little jog up when we were there, and all seems fine with him. Hannah the physio will give him a good check over next week, and if all is well, he will have a little period of rehab on the water treadmill before heading out for a summers grass. Hidden Beauty is recovering well from the pelvic fracture she sustained after her last run in Taunton, and is now just starting on the water treadmill. She will make a full recovery, and will be back next season. The three that arrived last week had settled in well. Old Blue Eyes (Frank) the three year old, half brother to Dino Bellagio is a pretty laid back lad. So much so that they had start and tack him up as he was laying down last week! He is there to be broken in, and although he had a little buck and skip when he felt the tack on him for the first time this year, he is now very much in a routine, and going nicely, he looks to have a great mind for the job. Jason really likes him. The two fillies have also settled into a routine and trotting around the arena and will have eight weeks work before a summer break.
Old Blue Eyes (Frank) having a lunge
The gorgeous Mahler filly - she just does everything!
The Jukebox Jury x La Pelodette filly - she finds everything very easy as her pedigree would suggest!
Christopher and Rosie
On Wednesday I was in the office, making a plan for our three year old Muhtathir gelding who is heading for The Derby Sale in Fairyhouse in June. He will head over to Ireland around a month ahead of the sale, with Tom Brickley finishing his prep over there. Tom put the finishing touches to our Highland Reel filly last year, and did a great job with her – so this lad will be in the best of hands!
Thursday was a quiet day – nice to get one in for a change, but it was a chance to get another trophy auction done. This one from Cloud Dancers win in Newbury – congratulations to Phil who got the winning bid – and another £350 raised for the Injured Jockeys Fund. That is £1700 raised for them in the last few weeks through our trophy auctions – great to be able to do it – and really impressed by the generosity of all of our syndicate members and owners who have got involved! A quiet day didn’t mean a quiet night – another trip down to Goldington Road to see the Mobbs Memorial match between Bedford and The Army. Created in 1921, the Mobbs Memorial Match honours the former Bedford Modern School, Olney, Bedford, Northampton and England rugby legend, Edgar Mobbs. A World Rugby Hall-of-Fame inductee, Mobbs’ true heroic status was made on the battlefield of World War One. One of his few appearances for Bedford was on a very special occasion as the Blues hosted New Zealand in 1905 at Goldington Road. Contested between the East Midlands and the Barbarians until 2011, Bedford and Northampton have played host to the fixture every other year since 2012 when it was re-launched, going toe-to-toe with the Army Rugby Union on a biennial basis. As an Old Bedford Modernian myself, it is a game I always try and get to – this year was fun – although colder than I had envisaged! Memo to me – wear a coat!
Clud Dancer Trophy
Great night at The Blues for the Mobbs Memorial Match
Full Moon - got Billy home by midnight! It was bloody cold!
Friday I popped over to Pidley to go through some ‘horsebox business’ with Andy. It has been a very busy couple of years with the horseboxes as well as the syndicates, and it was good get a couple of hours with Andy and chat through the past six months and plans for the future. I am in the very fortunate position to have both sides of our business going great guns – and with big plans in both spheres – it is a very exciting time!
Elsewhere around the yards - Up at Warren Chase, Auditoria is well, and did get an entry for Huntingdon tomorrow. Ideally Olly would have liked a little more time with her, as it is not long since her last run in Wincanton, and that was just 7 days since her win in Taunton. Asking her to go back again was perhaps a little much, but there were very few entries, and if it were to cut up to just three runners she could take her chance, As it was, there were a few declared and Olly decided to wait with her. Tintagel Queen is in good heart, and is schooling away in preparation for her hurdling debut in the autumn. I will catch up with Olly in Market Rasen later and have a chat with him about her. Itchy Feet is also in great order. He is bang on target for a run in Aintree next week. The aim in Liverpool is to try and win as much prizemoney as possible, and for that reason he will get multiple entries and run in the race that offers the best chance of a top 4 finish. His first entry is in the 2m 4f Aintree Hurdle – the intended target for Constitution Hill. Olly felt that there may not be many horses want to take CH on, and if the race cut up to just 4 runners he could take his chance and have a run round for a few quid. He will also have at least one more entry on the Saturday.
Auditoria having a pick of grass after exercise.
In Newmarket Refelxion Faite continues to please everyone at Egerton Stables ahead of her racecourse debut later this month. At this stage everything is very much going to plan with her! I am really looking forward to having our first two year old runner – it has certainly spiked a bit of interest in the flat this spring.
Have a really good Easter Sunday – and enjoy the bank holiday tomorrow. Next weeks news is very likely to be delayed by a few hours, as I will be starting the day in Liverpool, after three days at the Grand National Meeting, and what looks like a fun night out on Saturday with Ben and Helen! If Dino runs how we hope he can in the last – next weeks news may not be seen until Monday!
