End Of The Road For Itchy
A day late this week – due to a hectic weekend!
Last weeks news starts a day early – so it now seems an age ago! After getting last week’s News published, I hopped in the car and set off for Chepstow, where Greyval was to run in their mares’ handicap hurdle.
Despite a manic schedule, Debbie found a couple of spare hours to come and photograph the day, and as I would be passing her door, I picked her up, and we headed to Wales together.
Greyval, the winner of a Listed Hurdle at 4, has had us all scratching our heads for the last two years during which time she has failed to get herself back in the winners’ circle.
It has not been for the want of trying, and in fairness to her she spent a large part of last season under the weather. During the past two years she has still been very consistent – just failing to show us on the track what she does at home – where her work is simply stunning. Last spring we had expected her to regain the winning thread, only for her to be beaten in two races in Stratford that we had expected her to win. This season she has been better, but again, she wasn’t quite showing us on the track what she does up the hill at Ravenswell. Stepping her up in trip has helped for sure, but even so, her last two runs before Chepstow still left us all thinking – there is so much more! She hadn’t handled the tight turns of Fakenham two runs back – but we will let her off that one, as we had thought that might be the case, but the excellent prize money for that heat, and the fact that it was a qualifier for a £50,000 final in Cheltenham next month, meant we had to have a go. Last time out in Ascot was once again puzzling, upped to 3m for the first time, we thought that Greyval would travel really well, and run a big race, but once again – she didn’t seem to engage in the process early doors, and ended up being pitched wide all the way round because she didn’t take Johnny up towards the leaders in the early stages.
For the remainder of that afternoon, I mulled over what we had seen and thought about Johnny’s feedback after the race. It was clear that day that it was the early part of the races that was costing her – she wasn’t jumping off well as the tapes went up and finding herself farther back than we wanted her to be, or she wasn’t going forward in the first half mile to allow Johnny to get the prominent position that we felt she needed. She was not losing her races at the end; she was losing them at the start – and that could not be blamed on going or track – it had to be something else. We do know that she prefers a sounder surface and like all fillies, likes a bit of sun on her back – but we needed to try something to get her travelling better earlier in her races. Every time we had tried to bounce out and be handy, she had not played ball – and had ended up farther back than had been planned.
As we were leaving the car park after racing in Ascot, I spotted Johnny heading to his car and we had a chat about how we could change things up to get her rolling earlier in a race. I suggested taking her cross noseband off of her – as sometimes horses can grow to resent them, and it can stop them going forward. In fact, they are often used as an aid on strong pulling horses to get them to just back off a bit and help them settle. Greyval didn’t need to settle – she needed to go forward – removing it might just help. Johnny agreed, and he had schooled her without the noseband during Cheltenham week and had really felt a difference in her – it might just be the answer!
Back in mares company, on a big galloping track on decent ground were also other factors in her favour, as was the lack of pace in the race, and a vast starting area where she would be setting off from, heading back towards home (as I say – a lot of thought had gone into this one).
Greyval looked fantastic in the paddock – as always – a bit on her toes, but not over the top. Johnny had a bit of bother getting on, but when he was in the plate she headed to post beautifully settled.
The tapes went up and she jumped off perfectly, no dwelling – and was soon into a lovely rhythm. Johnny switched her to the inside, and she lobbed along upsides in front looking like she was having the time of her life. Greyval jumped superbly all the way round, apart from an error at the second last where she was headed, only to get her head down and battle back bravely on the run to the last, where she got an absolute flyer, going on to win by a cosy ½ length.
Not sure what worked – but something did – and probably a combination of a lot of things – including a pair of red boots – that are now the ‘Lucky Red Boots’ that will have to be worn every time she runs!
Delighted for her owners, who have had to be patient – but with this win under her belt, Greyval will hopefully get plenty of confidence and will be able to build on it. She now heads to Cheltenham next month.
Monday, Greyval came home, ate up and jogged up sound first thing – all on course for Cheltenham.
And She Was was declared to make her debut in a fillies bumper in Huntingdon on Wednesday. This would be the third attempt at getting her career underway, the first two attempts resulted in the meetings being abandoned on the day of racing – hopefully she would get to run this time!
The Red Sash Racing Clubs, Ridin Solo got an entry in the £50,000 2m5f Go North Series Final in Kelso on Saturday. This was Plan B, we had hoped to qualify him for the 3m final, but that wasn’t possible due to Good to Firm ground in Catterick. Over the 2m5f that the race would be run over at the weekend, Ridin Solo holds no secrets from the handicapper, so we will be using the services of 5lb claimer Charlie Maggs, who is great value for his claim!
Debbie was on her travels and visited Overbury Stud in the morning, she got to photograph Golden Horn, who was very much in the news after the exploits of his sons and daughters at The Cheltenham Festival. Two Grade 1 winners – Golden Ace in the Champion Hurdle, and Poniros and East India Dock first and third respectively in the Triumph Hurdle. Golden Horn looks fantastic, and we are very much looking forward to getting cracking with our homebred 2 yr old by him later this year.
Sire of the moment - Golden Horn
Tuesday – and talking of our 2 yr old by Golden Horn, I took advantage of a sunny morning and popped over to The Elms to see him for the first time in a while. Great to bump into Sarah as I arrived – she was just leaving – it’s been a long time – she used to work at the stud when we first had horses there, and it was fantastic to see her looking so happy and well!
I had to see the new girl – little Nancy while I was there. She was out with her mum, Savingforvegas – enjoying the sunshine, and we didn’t go into the paddock and stir up the mares with their babies – but it was good to see her from over the gate. She is doing great and certainly looks like she will be a tall girl!
George, the 2 yr old has wintered out and is just a ‘woolly bear’. Like all of our 2 yr olds he will head to Ivy Lodge Farm this summer to be broken in and will then have another winter at grass before he goes back to work next spring. He is a nice type – like a lot of horses by Golden Horn he isn’t the tallest, but he is very strong and well put together – he will be a cracking addition to the racing team next year!
George - 2yr old Golden Horn x Savingforvegas
In the afternoon it was good to see White Riot win the bumper in Wetherby for the in form Fergal O’Brien team. White Riot is by The Great Gatsby, and his win made it four wins from the sires last four runners under national hunt rules in the UK. He is very much a sire to follow, his progeny are usually well grown, strong and tough – and regular readers (sufferers) will know that I have long been a fan! Our 3 yr old by him is doing plenty of cantering with Jason and is a horse that we all like a lot. More on him later!
Wednesday – and I got the race report out to members of The Oakley Partnership – owners of Greyval – a nice one to write.
Itchy Feet was declared in the Hunters Chase that closed Newbury’s card on Friday. Just 5 runners, and this would be a marked drop in grade from the races that he has been contesting. The UK’s leading amateur James King would be taking over in the saddle, and we are sure to learn a lot about the route we will be taking with Itchy for the rest of the season. He isn’t getting any younger, and the hope is that this drop into Hunter Chases will see him back in the winner’s enclosure before the end of the season.
In the afternoon I made the short trip to Huntingdon to see And She Was make her debut in the bumper. Hopefully nothing would get in the way this time. Her first attempt ruined by a frozen track that didn’t thaw – her second go was abandoned due to a lot more rain the track was forecast, surely nothing could go wrong this time! You can imagine what we were thinking as we all stood in the paddock as the clock ticked past race time without a sign of any jockeys! Really? Was this going to be the third time? The delay did give the staff at the track a chance to convince the pilot of a huge red hot air balloon to pause his ‘inflation’ until after the race – the sight of that thing on the home bend by the stables may just have been a bit much for a field of young fillies!
Finally, the emergency vehicle back in place, the jockeys came into the paddock – Tom Bellamy riding ASW. His plan to keep things simple, give her a nice introduction and let her enjoy herself. ASW was quite novicey in the parade ring, but well behaved. She did look as though she had run up a little light – not a surprise – this being her third attempt at a debut, it had been a far from ideal prep.
In the race itself – Gavin Sheehan had suggested to the other jockeys that he would bounce out and make it a good test – only to bounce out and crawl. With no pace on, ASW settled nicely just off the lead, but it was always going to turn into a sprint, and when it did, she ran a bit green and was tapped for toe. In the end it was a slightly disappointing run, but Alan is convinced that she is much better than that, and that the stop/ start prep (from January) had taken it’s toll on her. With that run under her belt, he is keen to get her back out again around the end of April, and is very confident that we will see a much improved performance.
And She Was in the paddock
A few of her syndicate!
Post race - much more to come from this young lady!
One positive from the afternoon was the video that Alan’s Assistant, Robin sent me of Nevada Samba’s work that morning. Once again – he worked very well in behind triple Group 1 winner Trueshan – and yet again looked to do everything very easily – he is a very bright prospect!
After discussing ASW’s run with Alan we chatted about NS. Alan said he could run in a bumper in a couple of weeks – but after chatting it over we have made a plan for him. Alan says he has seen enough of him to know that he is a nice horse. In the past, when we have been lucky enough to have nice young horses such as him (not sure we have ever had one a nice as NS though) we have been keen to keep them to bumpers for the entirety of their first season – but will only do so if we are as sure as we can be that they will be competitive in one or two decent and valuable bumpers at the end of the season. With this in mind, it seemed counterintuitive to run Nevada Samba this spring – he has had a very good education and has learned plenty- he has shown us what he can do – and will now have a summer at grass – to further mature and then have a season in bumpers from the autumn.
Thursday – ASW all good after her debut – now that she has had that run – Alan can get her back into a more normal routine – she will head off over the hill to Jamie Magee’s yard for a couple of weeks of R&R and a few sessions on the water treadmill which will do her the world of good. She will put on a bit of condition and benefit hugely from a short holiday before returning to Barbury to be prepared for another run in a bumper towards the end of April.
I got the written race report out to all of her syndicate members later in the morning – I like to issue written reports – that way all syndicate members are fully up to date, and all have the same info! It takes time – but it is something we think is very important!
Ridin Solo declared for the £50k handicap hurdle in Kelso as planned. Charlie Maggs will claim 5lbs off his back – he is in good form and looks sure to be there abouts – even if he possibly isn’t as well in as he would be over 3 miles.
Jason sent through some pics and vids of the four 3 yr olds that are in work with him. All going nicely – and he is very happy with them all. Just a couple of shares left in the grey gelding by The Great Gatsby get in touch!
The Grey Gatsby leads Finbar, with Floyd and the Masterstroke filly in behind
Good to get some more snaps of Nancy and her mum enjoying the spring sunshine. The two are doing great and are due to travel to France next week where Savingforvegas will once again be covered by Nirvana du Berlais.
At lunch time I looked at my plans for Friday and made a quick decision to head to Hereford later that afternoon – as I would be at a funeral in the town early on Friday, and that trip could well take 4 hours on a Friday morning around the M42! I quickly booked a Premier Inn near the racecourse, which is where the wake was due to be held the following day and where a few of us that were attending the funeral would be meeting ahead of the service at the crematorium and jumping in one car for the short trip. I had a good trip over – sadly the pub ‘attached’ to the hotel is now closed and boarded up – that was my plans for supper out the window. I had work to do when I arrived – sorting badges for members of The Red Sash Racing Club who would be travelling to Kelso on Saturday – afterwhich I decided to sample the ‘delights’ of what they loosely called the hotel restaurant. Not great – a quick (small) pasta dish (the pasta had been cooked for a while and some of it was a little woody) and a couple of bottles of beer and it was back to my room – I would watch a bit of TV for the rest of the evening. Or so I thought – no TV remote control scuppered those plans. Instead I spent a good while trying to fathom why a loud fan kept coming on and going off with seemingly no change in the room temperature – the control panel was in danger of leaving the wall at one stage – but I eventually fathomed it out without any damage done!
Friday morning, and after meeting Debbie, Sally and Wendy at the raccourse, we jumped in my car and made the short trip to the crematorium for the funeral service of Richard Botterill. Richard was part of the bloodstock community, working as he did for Tattersalls Ireland right up until his untimely passing. He took his place on the rostrum at all of the Tatts Ireland sales, and had been a great help to me when I started the pinhooking syndicates a few years ago. A lovely service, a solemn occasion as you would imagine. Afterwards we headed back to the racecourse where we gave him a good send off – some great memories and some very funny tales to be told! He will be missed!
Olly Murphy had been in to Ivy Lodge Farm and seen the 3 yr old by The Grey Gatsby that he will be getting to train later this year – he was very pleased with him and sent through the following video.
From Hereford I headed down to Newbury to see Itchy Feet in the Hunters Chase. Itchy would go off favourite in this five runner field, and if he showed anything like his old form he would be hard to peg back. IF looked fantastic in the paddock and went to post nicely. The first circuit went to plan, James King letting him find his own rhythm and getting him jumping away nicely. Sadly, that changed on the second circuit, and after making a mistake IF started to hang. He jumped alarmingly left at the final ditch and was brought home in his own time. It was clear that he hadn’t enjoyed the experience one bit and if I’m honest those of us watching from the stands didn’t enjoy it either. Although I still had to get in touch with his owners, the decision to retire Itchy Feet had probably been made before he got back in to unsaddle. He gets to have a nice retirement, and we will find a top class home for him, where he will be cared for like the legend that he is, and will compete in the Retrained Racehorse Classes that are very popular these days. Having got to know Itchy over the past three years – I am convinced that within the next 3 years he will be RoR National Dressage Champion – he absolutely loves that!
Enjoy your retirment Itchy
Good to get a the first video of Rockola for a while - she has been having an easier time of things over at Jamie Magees 'holiday camp' since her last run, and has thrived for the break - she was back cantering on Friday.
Back home Friday night – before heading back to Newbury on Saturday for the last National Hunt card on their calendar, and this years running of the Worlds Richest Bumper, sponsored by Goffs – the winner of which, as part of the prize package wins a Theault Horsebox for the 2025/26 season. Always a great afternoon racing – one of my favourites of the year. This year’s race won by Dan Skelton with Kadastral a son of Cokoriko, and what a lovely horse he is - he looks to have a very bright future!
Newbury - a great day!
The winner of the World Richest Bumper Kadastral
Presentation Party Henry Beeby and Tim Kent of Goffs UK
Presenting Dan Skelton with his new box!
It was getting late when we left!
With the race over – we were back in the bar until late enjoying some great fun and games with trainers and owners. One trainer that was in the bar was Fergal O’Brien who had had four winners across two meetings in the afternoon – he was in great form! He gave an update on the three of ours in his care – Greyval all good, had an easy week and will be aimed at the mares’ final in Cheltenham. Chevelle back in strong work and will be ready to run next month. She is moving great, and he is very happy with her. Intrepide Sud in great form and will have an entry in Stratford next Saturday.
One trainer with slightly less positive news was Gary Moore, who will have the vet run his eye over Cloud Dancer in the next few days as he isn’t 100% happy with him. Hopefully nothing too serious, but best to have him checked over.
We checked into The Lodge, which is part of the racecourse, and is a great spot to stay if you are racing in Newbury – nothing fancy – just a nice place to stay. A short walk into town and dinner at Mio Fiore, an Italian, tucked away down a side street that Alan King had found out about earlier in the afternoon. I’m glad he did – a great dinner, superbly looked after by Damian and Darcy – we will definitely be back!
Worth a visit!
While in Newbury I had watched the 2.25pm from Kelso – Ridin Solo had seen plenty of support ahead of the race. Charlie jumped him off in the ideal position and he jumped and travelled great for a circuit before stopping very quickly. Not like him at all, he is a very tough a hardy horse who is always there abouts at the end of his races. Charlie rightly pulled him up, and he will be given a full MOT to try and fathom what went wrong on this occasion. As mentioned, the trip was always a slight worry for us – but this performance had nothing to do with that – something is sure to come to light over the course of the next few days.
Red Sash Racing Members in the paddock in Kelso
Ridin Solo pre race
Another slight bit of sub par news was that Savingforvegas and her foal Nancy would not be heading to France as planned on Tuesday – Nancy had suffered a wound to her jaw that morning, that required treatment. There is no lasting damage – she is swollen and looks a bit bashed about but should be fine in a few days. I’m not surprised she got herself in a bit of bother – she is a toughie – a bit like her mum!
Home (eventually) on Sunday – a little jaded! Ridin Solo seemed fine after his run – the vets will check him over. Donald as puzzled as we were. While on the phone it was good to get an update about the other two at Bankhouse. Dino Bellagio is fine, and he has seen a set of stalls for the first time this week ahead of his debut on the flat next month. Old Blue Eyes had a little treatment from the vet recently as he wasn’t moving as well as he should have been. All back to normal now and he will be running again in around 3 weeks. One more bumper run for him ahead of a summers holiday.
This coming week looks a little quieter – just Intrepide Sud with an entry in Stratford on Saturday. Time to catch up on a few jobs and shake off this nasty ‘Guiness virus’ I seem to have caught in Newbury!
