The Rain Arrived
The rain has arrived – along with the wind!! And with it, the winter National Hunt team get ever closer to their returns. It has been increasingly noticeable over the last few years that we have had very little ‘proper’ jumping ground before the end of October, so this year, like a lot of others, we took the decision to leave the winter team out in the field a little longer in the summer, delaying their return to their trainers with the aim of getting going around now. Everything is on track – and they have all gone through their preparations without any holdups. In the next few days, they will start to get their first entries of the season.
Trainers have been putting the finishing touches to their preps, and we are very excited about the squad that we have to run for us this season. Most are young unexposed horses who have done nothing wrong up to now. Those that have form all look to be on nice handicap marks that they can exploit when they get their preferred conditions. I can’t wait to get going with them!
With meetings at Cheltenham and Aintree at the weekend – it really felt like the season was kicking into gear – and that was reflected with further share sales this week.
Monday – A couple got entries at the weekend. The Alan King Racing Club’s, I’d Go Maniac got his entry in the Amateur Riders handicap in Newbury on Saturday. This has been the plan for some time, and this will be his final start of the summer. Georgia once again down to ride him – they have had a cracking summer together, and the hope is that the ground would not be too soft at the weekend.
Dino Bellagio, having schooled so well last week, will be tried over hurdles once again. There are very few options for him on the flat – especially on some soft ground – so we will see if he can improve on his hurdles form to date – which in all honesty – is bad! After winning two bumpers, we had really high hopes for him over hurdles, but it simply went horribly wrong, and after driving ourselves mad trying to figure out why he wasn’t showing on the track what he showed at home, we took the decision to take the hurdles out of the way and run him on the flat, which resulted in him winning 2 valuable handicaps last summer. This term has been less fruitful, so we plan to try him back over obstacles. If he takes to it second time round, he is on a very attractive handicap mark (91) to start off on!! We have to have a go!
Fergal O’Brien sent through another clip of Molly’s Lad on Monday morning. ML is in great order, and very close to a return to the track. He will start off over 2 miles as he is likely to be very fresh and a bit keen on seasonal debut. After that the plan is to step him up in trip and it is then that he can make full use of his mark. His dam, Molly Childers was very similar, she went close to winning over 2 miles, and we always thought she could do so – but it was when she stepped up to 2m4f that she really improved, winning her first start at that distance by 14 lengths off a mark of 109. Like mother, like son??
William Butler called with an update on Penselwood, who had been lame after his run in Kempton the previous week. He had spent the last few days off games and had trotted up sound when the vets saw him earlier in the day. He would be reintroduced to light work over the next few days with the hope of fulfilling the plan that we have in place for him and being able to run for a third time this autumn. If he does, he will head back to Ivy Lodge Farm afterwards for a winters break. If the niggle keeps him off games for too long – he will head back there with just the two runs under his belt, and we will have to start afresh in the spring, needing just one more run for his handicap mark.
Monday night, and a cheeky couple of pints and a pie at The Pheasant in Keyston, with Matt and Sarah. Super company as always - a cracking pint – the pie night is good value – great pies – worth a visit!
https://thepheasantkeyston.co.uk/
Tuesday – the all-important ‘ratings day’ and Ridin Solo was eased 1lb after his run in Worcester the previous week. It was good to see him back on song that day – and he will have a very productive season in staying chases around the big tracks in the north of England this winter.
Jason Maguire sent through a video of Cloud Dancer cantering in the rain. Maguire very happy with him – he will get him on a few away days in the next couple of weeks, after which he will head back into training with the Moores – only now it is Josh and Jamie instead of Josh and Gary.
With the morning work done, it was time to make my first visit to Yarmouth, to see John Harrison run in the 1m2f handicap under Rossa Ryan. John Harrison had not stood a chance when drawn very wide around Wolverhampton last time out – and we were hoping that a bit of softer ground and a nice draw would see him run well – as ever Rossa’s feedback post-race would be very important. I had a good run over to the coast, and the folks at Yarmouth were very accommodating. Owners were looked after well, and although it was a chilly and breezy afternoon, it was nice day.
John Harrison looked really well, and Rossa was hoping that a return to a more galloping 1m2f on soft ground would bring out the best in him. He would get him covered up to prevent him getting too keen and be doing his best at the end. He broke well, and Rossa was able to have him just where he wanted initially, but it was not easy to keep that spot, and the pair were shuffled back a few places. In a tight race, he came under pressure early but kept on without troubling the front few. Interestingly Rossa said John Harrison had been slightly claustrophobic during the race, and would have appreciated more space, possibly even dropped out in rear. I suggested that he may be seen over 8 flights of hurdles next time we saw him on a racecourse! He has schooled very well at home!
Wednesday – a very wet day! Alan called first thing to say that John Harrison was fine after his run and confirmed that he would switch to juvenile hurdles now. He also said that he would not declare I’d Go Maniac in Newbury on Saturday. With torrential rain forecast in a storm at the end of the week – the ground would be awful – and instead, he would find a race for him on the all weather and then send him off for his winter break – he has been on the go for a long time!
Jason Maguire sent over a clip of Cloud Dancer for his owners. He has him looking really well, and ready for a few away days.
Wednesday is a work day at Barbury Castle, and the Alan King Racing Club’s, Ghost Dancing and I’d Go Maniac worked up the hill over at Sharpridge.
Ghost Dancing’s work has been very good this autumn – she has certainly strengthened and matured over the summer.
I’d Go Maniac worked in the torrential rain – he too in good form, and with one more run under hid belt, he will head off on a winters break – he has been in training an awful long time, and deserves a bit of R&R. he will be back in action in the spring, and I am sure he will be aimed at another tilt at the Amateur Lady Riders Derby in Epsom next summer.
It was a pleasure to chat to Tony at lunchtime, he had visited Warren Chase Stables that morning and had seen Jimmy Gatz. When he found out there was a single share remaining in our lovely grey and heard what the team at the yard thought of him, he soon snapped it up – we wish Tony and his wife Emma the very best of luck with their first horse and look forward to meeting up with them very soon. It will not be long before Jimmy Gatz is back on the track. His first piece of fast work was very good, and he looks to be another one that has improved for a few months of sunshine on his back. He has certainly matured and looks less like the youngster he did last season.
On the same day, two shares in a couple of horses on the team came available. Following the sad passing of Roger in August, his family have been weighing up their options with the shares he had and due to their busy schedules, have decided to sell their shares, meaning that a 10% share is available in both Molly’s Lad and Vegas Gold.
The share in Molly’s Lad is £1000 plus £300/month training/keep fee. The share in Vegas Gold is £4000 plus £300/month training/keep fee. You have read above the plans for Molly’s Lad, who is ready to run – will start off in a 2m hurdle and then step up to 2m4f which is where he will be very well handicapped.
Molly's Lad
Vegas Gold is held in very high regard by Fergal O’Brien, and when I chatted with him on Wednesday afternoon, his views on this young horse had certainly not changed. He said he had not got a 3yr old that could work with him, so he was having to work him with older horses. The plan we put in place for him in the summer is very much still on track – he will head to Aintree on November 7th for a 3yr old bumper and then head to Cheltenham on New Years Day for the Listed Bumper that closes their card - a race we like to target.
His full details can be found on the FOR SALE PAGE – or by clicking the link below.
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8330/vegas-gold
If you are interested in either share, please let me know – 07909 518902 or email
Thursday – an increase in tempo for the Blue Bresil 3 yr old at Ivy Lodge Farm. Jason has been really pleased with his progress since he returned to work a few weeks ago. He really is a ‘Dude’ to deal with, which is a characteristic he has inherited from his sire.
Blue Bresil is the sire of Champion, Constitution Hill, who is also a very laid back character – so much so, that when he arrived at Seven Barrows, Nicky Henderson wondered what on earth they had bought, as he just seemed so asleep! Constitution Hill was very much the same when a friend of mine went to look at him for a client after he had run in his point to point – the story he tells of that day is very funny!
Our 3yr old has been doing most of his work on the round gallop, but on Thursday he was asked to quicken up a gear, and getting a lead from Cloud Dancer, he did it very nicely. He is a gorgeous mover and moves really well around the round gallop, and when Jason asked him to quicken up the hill, he really came alive and Jason struggled to hold him for a stride or two. Safe to say that Maguire was very happy when I spoke to him later in the day, and he is ready for his first taste of racehorse life proper and head away for an away day gallop at either Martin Keighleys, Kim Baileys or Tom Georges.
The plan is for this lovely big horse to stay and pre-train with Jason until the end of the year after which he will head into training with Alan King where he will be aimed at his debut in a bumper in late February/early March.
He is a lovely horse – and I can recommend him highly. There are a limited number of shares remaining, please click the link below and look at his details – he is by a fantastic sire, and has two siblings who sold for big money in the spring, who’s trainers have high hopes for this season!
Grand National winning jockey, Jason Maguire will be an important part of this syndicate and be on hand to host the syndicate at his Ivy Lodge Farm and on the racecourse. We will even get him to head into Alan King’s and have a sit on the horse on a work morning – offering invaluable feedback for his syndicate from one of the very best jockeys of his generation.
https://www.nickbrownracing.co.uk/ForSale/8342/jason-maguire-syndicate
Jason had very positive news about Floyd, our homebred 4yr old who is in great order, and is working well. He has always been a horse that Jason has struggled to keep weight on, as he hasn’t stopped growing and has been very weak and immature – but he is now keeping his condition and taking his work well – he too will head away for an away day very soon – in fact the three are likely to go together, Cloud Dancer giving a lead to the two youngsters.
Donald McCain was in fine form when I checked in with him in the afternoon. We chatted over options for Dino Bellagio, who had entries in Market Rasen on Sunday and Huntingdon next Wednesday. Market Rasen looked the right race but would probably be a day or two too soon for Dino. Huntingdon very much an option, although their ground would need to ease appreciably, so we agreed to give him two further entries in Stratford on Thursday and Uttoxeter on Friday – keep our options open and see what the weather does and what ground is on offer.
Old Blue Eyes is doing plenty of cantering on the carpet gallop up the hill at Bankhouse. He is moving really well, and shifting some of the weight he had put on while he was recovering from his latest little set back.
Ridin Solo has come out of his Worcester run very well indeed and Donald is delighted with him. Staying trips on soft ground around the big tracks in the north for him this winter – it will be fun following him!
The unraced/unnamed 3yr old gelding by Pethers Moon continues to improve and impress. There is a stable visit to the yard planned next week so that a couple of his new owners can get to see him work. We are getting very close to wrapping up the syndicate – he will soon need a name as it will not be long before he is getting an entry or two. At this stage Donald is keeping options open for him – he has schooled over hurdles and is very good – so he could start in a Junior National Hunt hurdle or a 3yr old bumper – we will know a little more next week.
If you would like to join us at the yard on a busy work morning and see the horses work – before an afternoon at Bangor on Dee races let me know – and I will add you to the list.
For details of the remaining couple of shares in the Pethers Moon gelding – click the link and get in touch – instant action!!
https://www.donaldmccain.co.uk/available-shares-/
Friday – storm Austen arrived – although for us it was a nice calm day until later on. The South West and the South Coast copping the worst of it.
As discussed yesterday with Donald – Dino Bellagio not declared in Market Rasen and entered in Stratford.
Nevada Samba worked very well at Alan Kings. Well paired with his near 150 rated work mate – Masaccio. The plan was always to wait until November with Nevada Samba – Alan rarely runs his very nice horses in October, preferring to wait until there is some proper winter jumps ground. A firm decision as to where Nevada Samba starts off is yet to be made – he has just had the one run in his career – a winning debut in a Wincanton bumper, so we have the option of another bumper run, or starting off over hurdles, his work and schooling will determine which route he takes. With every Sunday that passes we are a week closer to seeing him back – I cannot wait!
The storm put pay to Newbury’s meeting on Friday, and Saturday’s card looked in jeopardy too, so it was the right decision not to run I’d Go Maniac there this weekend. Instead, he got an entry in a 1m3f handicap in Southwell on Thursday evening – the last race on the card – 8.30pm – lovely!
The first meeting of the season in Cheltenham – I think they were grateful for every drop of rain they got – their ground still just only Good. Mixed reaction from the new developments from what I am hearing – once again the same old gripe of slow service in the new Members Bar. This happened before – sadly the level of training given to the bar staff pre racing is just not enough to cope with the demand in that area – they solved this by employing professional bar staff in the end – it sounds to me as though they went back to untrained staff, which may have backfired?
Saturday – Molly’s Lad, showed no signs of remembering being brought down in dramatic fashion on his last start in the spring as he schooled up the hurdles on the schooling strip at Ravenswell. He has always loved jumping and is very good. Don’t forget – get in touch to secure that 10% share – he will be running very soon and is on an extremely attractive mark when he steps up in trip!!
Dino Bellagio got his entry in Uttoxeter on Friday – now to track declarations and chose where to run him. It will be good to see him back over hurdles – hopefully he has learned plenty while running on the flat for the past couple of summers and he can show on track what he does at home – he has schooled very well!
I’d Go Maniac worked ahead of his potential trip to Southwell next week
Ghost Dancing put in a very impressive shift on the hill. She is in great form and could well be starting off at the right end of the handicap – she needed the summer to mature and strengthen but is a mare that will appreciate the better ground through the winter so we will see her at the likes of Ludlow, Huntingdon and Taunton over the course of the next few months.
Great racing in Cheltenham in the afternoon – really goo to see The Grey Gatsby have another nice winner in North Shore who won the Class 2 Hurdle for 4yr olds for the Skeltons.
North Shore - Photo Debbie Burt
Another sire to have a good afternoon was Blue Bresil who sired another Listed winner in France.
Sunday – my weekly chat with William Butler will be delayed – as he is on duty in France, where Consent contests the Group 1 Prix Royal Oak in St Cloud. A great interview with Sir Mark Prescott in the Racing Post today – well worth a read.
Aintree abandoned due to high winds - Constitution Hill runs in Italy - Rossa Ryan in the saddle. An afternoon watching the sports beckons!
That just leaves one – Uhtred Ragnarson – still on the naughty step after refusing to race last week – I didn’t dare ask Alan about him – not that brave!! In all seriousness – He’s fine – there are a few things we can do to try and prevent a repeat – but he is very much on his last warning!
That wraps up another week – drop by next Sunday to see what we did and where we did it! Should be on a couple of racecourses and hopefully visit a couple of yards!
