DECEMBER 2018
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What’s new this month? |
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29 December 2018 – Photographs taken at Kempton Park (26 December 2018) 22 December 2018 – Photographs taken at Newbury (01 December 2018) |
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Monday
31 December 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Warwick: Telson Barley (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) finished 5th in the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (15 ran). Sixty’s
Belle (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Mares’ NH Novices’
Hurdle (Qualifier) (11 ran). Voie Dans Voie (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) stumbled and unseated
after the 7th fence during the Handicap Chase [3 miles] (12 ran). Cranbrook Causeway (Graeme McPherson/Max Kendrick)
blundered and unseated at the thirteenth fence during the Handicap Chase [2
miles & 4 furlongs] (14 ran). Nobby (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) won and Zulu Dawn (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 4th in the Standard Open NH Flat
Race (9 ran); Alan’s 61st winner of the season and Wayne’s 56th winner of the season Uttoxeter: Dontminddboys (Robin Dickin/Jamie Moore/EPDS Racing) finished 3rd in the
Handicap Chase [3 miles & 2 furlongs] (11 ran). And here
are New Year Day’s runners of interest: Cheltenham: 12:15 Mr Pumblechook
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle (Listed) 12:50 Thomas Crapper (Robin Dickin/Jack
Quinlan) – Handicap Chase [3 miles 2 furlongs & 70 yards] 14:35 Karezak (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Forecast (Martin Keighley/Gavin Sheehan) –
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 213 yards] 15:10 Cyrus Darius (Colin Tizzard/Robbe Power) – Relkeel Hurdle (Grade
2); also engaged are Midnight Shadow, Old Guard, Wholestone,
Thomas Campbell and Clyne. 15:50 Fuseau (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Standard Open NH Flat Race (Listed) Meanwhile, the Grade 2 Dipper Novices’ Chase will
be run at 13:25 and features Defi Du Seuil, Black Op, Crucial Role, Lostintranslation,
and On The Blind Side. Exeter: 12:40 Rock Steady (Alan King/Tom Cannon) –
Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) 13:15 Cliffs Of Dover (Paul Nicholls/Bryony
Frost) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 2 furlongs & 111 yards] 13:50 Drunken Pirate (Noel Williams/Tom Garner) –
NH Maiden Hurdle Catterick: 12:25 Hogan’s Height (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller)
– Novices’ Hurdle Musselburgh: 13:05 Dans Le Vent
(Jamie Snowden/Aidan Coleman) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 180
yards] Oh dear,
the racing coverage is going to suffer tomorrow as, not only are all four of
these fixtures being shown on Racing TV but Tramore
and Fairyhouse are too, now that the Irish fixtures
have joined the broadcaster. After
another disappointing run last week, connections believe that Samcro is likely to be out of action for the remainder of
the season. He will also undergo tests
in the hope of discovering the reason for his poor form of late. Jockey
Andrew Tinkler faces a spell on the sidelines
having fractured three bones in his face (his jaw, his cheekbone and eye
socket) when unseated from Atlanta Ablaze at Doncaster on Saturday. So here’s wishing him a speedy recovery
also. And,
finally, another Walkon tweet: https://mobile.twitter.com/walkonFRhorse/status/1079789264274145283/photo/1 |
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Sunday
30 December 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Haydock Park: Scorpion Sid (Jamie Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies)
won the Beginners’ Chase
(5 ran); only two finished and he made all.
Jamie’s 21st winner of the season. Ami Desbois (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods/EPDS Racing) finished 4th in the Handicap Chase [3 miles 3 furlongs
& 57 yards] ( Kayf Blanco (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) finished 4th in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 4 furlongs & 135
yards] (8 ran). Ask Ben’s
NH Novices’ Hurdle race was voided, following a fatal injury to Not Normal which
occurred when he landed over the first flight; there was deemed to be
insufficient room on the next circuit to bypass the stricken horse. RIP Taunton: Tiffin Top
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Juvenile Hurdle (10 ran). It’s Fine
Wine (Graeme McPherson/Noel Fehily) finished 7th
and Manofthemountain (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan)
finished 4th in the Novices’ Hurdle (12 ran). Mahlermade (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the
Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (13 ran). Passing Call
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Mares’ Novices Hurdle
(Listed) (6 ran). Sammylou (Graeme McPherson/Tom Humphries) finished 11th
in the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (17 ran). And here
are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Warwick: 12:25 Telson Barley (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 12:55
Sixty’s Belle (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ NH Novices’ Hurdle
(Qualifier) 14:00 Voie Dans Voie
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Chase [3 miles] 15:05 Cranbrook Causeway (Graeme McPherson/Max Kendrick) –
Handicap Chase [2 miles & 4 furlongs] 15:35 Nobby (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Zulu Dawn
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Standard Open NH
Flat Race Uttoxeter: 13:40 Dontminddboys (Robin Dickin/Jamie
Moore/EPDS Racing) – Handicap Chase [3 miles & 2 furlongs] There’s
good news regarding Mount Rushmoore; evidently he
had a ‘dead leg’, nothing more,
when pulled up at Newbury yesterday and lives to fight another day. J Amateur
rider Cameron Wadge fractured vertebrae in
yesterday’s fall at Kelso, so wishing him a speedy recovery. Happy
Birthday to Choc’s eldest, William, he’s 8
today. I’ve now
finished my Newbury race notes, so just need to copy them into the diary template,
proof and upload it. J After which I’ll need to move on to my
Kempton Park diary ... followed by further knitting and crochet projects! |
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Saturday
29 December 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Newbury: Praeceps (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished 2nd and Running
Cloud (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Juvenile Hurdle (7
ran). Reverend
Jacobs (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 10th and Twin Star (Noel
Williams/Richard Johnson) finished 11th in the Introductory Hurdle (16 ran). Another Crick (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Novices’ Limited
Handicap Chase for the Hallowe’en Trophy (5 ran); Noel’s 6th winner of the season and Wayne’s 55th winner of the season Rainbow Dreamer
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 6th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4
furlongs & 118 yards] (8 ran). Hey Bill
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 6th in the
Mandarin Handicap Chase [3 miles 1 furlong & 214 yards] (10 ran); the race
was won by Carole’s Destrier who was winning for
the first time since finishing as runner-up in the 2016 Hennessy Gold Cup! Alsa Mix (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 6th in
the Challow Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (7 ran); the
race was won by Champ Wilde Blue
Yonder (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 6th in the Novices’ Handicap
Chase (9 ran). Young
Archie McCoy accepted the trophy for the Challow
Novices’ Hurdle win, representing owner JP McManus; very fitting, as the
winning horse, Champ, is named after Archie’s dad: https://mobile.twitter.com/itvracing/status/1079037461161000960/photo/1 Doncaster: Dexcite (Alan King/Tom Cannon) was pulled up before
three out during the Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) [2 miles & 128 yards]
(12 ran). Senior
Citizen (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished 6th in the NH Novices’ Hurdle
(Qualifier) (8 ran). Ballywood (Alan King/Tom
Cannon) won the
Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (3 ran); Alan’s 60th winner of the season. Tara View
(Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished last in the Handicap Hurdle [3 miles & 84
yards] (8 ran). Lady
Buttons won the Listed Mares’ Chase. Sadly at
least three horses were lost today – 5-year-old Charlie’s Lass and 4-year-old
Scales Of Justice, both trained by Lucinda Russell, at Kelso. Whilst Sister Sibyl, trained by Hughie
Morrison, broke down badly and was put to sleep at Doncaster. RIP.
It didn’t look good for Colin Tizzard’s
Mount Rushmoore who was pulled up in the last at
Newbury, but I’ve not seen any further news about him. Amateur
rider Cameron Wadge, who rode Scales Of Justice,
was taken to hospital for further assessment; so fingers crossed for him. Fortunately
Sam’s Adventure and Sean Quinlan were both fine following this incident, also
at Kelso: https://mobile.twitter.com/RacingPost/status/1079051920587833344/photo/1 And here
is a recap of tomorrow’s runners of interest: Haydock Park: 12:55
Scorpion Sid (Jamie Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies) –
Beginners’ Chase 13:25 Ask
Ben (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – NH Novices’
Hurdle 14:00 Ami Desbois (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods/EPDS Racing) – Handicap Chase [3 miles 3 furlongs & 57 yards] 15:05 Kayf Blanco (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 4 furlongs & 135 yards] Taunton: 12:45
Tiffin Top (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Juvenile Hurdle 13:15 It’s
Fine Wine (Graeme McPherson/Noel Fehily) & Manofthemountain (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Novices’
Hurdle 13:50 Mahlermade (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’
Limited Handicap Chase 14:55
Passing Call (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ Novices Hurdle (Listed) 15:55 Sammylou (Graeme McPherson/Tom Humphries) – Conditional
Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Congratulations
to Richard Johnson, who receives an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list. There’s
another twitter post from Walkon: https://mobile.twitter.com/walkonFRhorse/status/1079034343044104194/photo/1 Wishing
Harry Stock a speedy recovery having broken his collarbone during yesterday’s
fall at Leicester. Martin Keighley
reports that Somewhere To Be is fine following the incident. Faugheen is fine too, following his mishap at Leopardstown, although a little sore. I haven’t
drafted any more of my Kempton Park diary today, but I have completed the
task of uploading the photographs for all six races. J |
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Friday
28 December 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Catterick: Jessica
Rabbit (Graeme McPherson/Tom Humphries/EPDS Racing) finished 7th in the
Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (11 ran). Leicester: Somewhere
To Be (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) fell at the last fence during the
Handicap Chase (Qualifier) [2 miles 4 furlongs & 45 yards] (8 ran); he
held a 6 lengths lead at the time. I gather
11-year-old Simply Ned, ridden by Mark Walsh, beat Footpad to land a Grade 1
chase at Leopardstown yesterday; he won the same
race last year, but in the stewards’ room! And today,
Apple’s Jade won Leopardstown’s Grade 1 Christmas
Hurdle; Faugheen fell two out but was led back safe
and sound. However the
grey Disko, who was returning to action after 419
days having fractured his skull and cracked his wither, suffered a back
injury when he fell at the last fence during the Savills Chase and had to be
put down.
RIP Disko Here are
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Newbury: 12:05 Praeceps (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) & Running Cloud
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Juvenile Hurdle 12:40
Reverend Jacobs (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Twin Star (Noel
Williams/Richard Johnson) – Introductory Hurdle 13:15
Another Crick (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Limited Handicap
Chase for the Hallowe’en Trophy 13:50
Rainbow Dreamer (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4
furlongs & 118 yards] 14:25 Hey
Bill (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Mandarin
Handicap Chase [3 miles 1 furlong & 214 yards] 15:00 Alsa Mix (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Challow Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1); she is due to have 6
rivals – Brewin’Upastorm, Champ, Coolanly, Getaway Trump, Kateson
and Nestor Park 15:35
Wilde Blue Yonder (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Handicap Chase Doncaster: 11:50 Dexcite (Alan King/Tom Cannon) – Handicap Hurdle
(Qualifier) [2 miles & 128 yards] 12:20
Senior Citizen (Alan King/Tom Cannon) – NH Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) 14:40 Ballywood (Alan King/Tom Cannon) – Novices’ Limited
Handicap Chase 15:50 Tara
View (Alan King/Tom Cannon) – Handicap Hurdle [3 miles & 84 yards] Having
missed her engagement at Wetherby earlier in the
week due to unsuitable going, Lady Buttons has been declared to run in the
Listed Mares’ Chase at 14:05. And, just
in case I don’t write a blog tomorrow, here are Sunday’s runners too: Haydock Park: 12:55
Scorpion Sid (Jamie Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies) –
Beginners’ Chase 13:25 Ask
Ben (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – NH Novices’
Hurdle 14:00 Ami Desbois (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) – Handicap Chase [3 miles 3 furlongs & 57 yards] 15:05 Kayf Blanco (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 4 furlongs & 135 yards] Taunton: 12:45
Tiffin Top (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Juvenile Hurdle 13:15 It’s
Fine Wine (Graeme McPherson/Noel Fehily) & Manofthemountain (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Novices’
Hurdle 13:50 Mahlermade (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’
Limited Handicap Chase 14:55
Passing Call (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ Novices Hurdle (Listed) 15:55 Sammylou (Graeme McPherson/Tom Humphries) – Conditional
Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle I returned
to work yesterday following the Christmas break, but I have found time to
begin drafting my Kempton Park diary; I hope to continue with this over the
weekend. Looking
forward, I will be watching Cinderella on BBC1 on Sunday afternoon, in which
Prince Charming is played by Richard Madden.
His current girlfriend, Ellie Bamber, will
feature in BBC1’s Les Misérables as the grown-up Cosette; episode one is broadcast on Sunday evening. So, with
Cinderella in mind, here are three of the many Youtube
links I’ve found over the past couple of weeks: Lily James and Richard Madden appearing on the
Graham Norton show to publicise the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jTAaKjfmVc Lily and Richard reading ‘suggestive’ lines which were spoken by Paul Hollywood on Bake
Off; Paul was also appearing on Graham’s sofa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnEyD9e3y1s And the stars arriving for the 2015 London
premiere of Cinderella: |
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Thursday
27 December 2018 |
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RIP Carlingford
Lough JP’s
veteran chaser has died of a suspected heart attack having finished 12th in
the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown today. RIP Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Kempton
Park: Nebuchadnezzar
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Juvenile Hurdle (11 ran). Altior (Nicky Henderson/Nico
de Boinville) won the Desert Orchid Chase (Grade 2)
(5 ran). Springtown
Lake (Philip Hobbs/Richard Johnson) finished 4th in the Handicap Chase [3
miles] (8 ran). Dino
Velvet (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th in the Handicap Chase [2
miles] (12 ran). The Grade
2 Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase was won by Dynamite Dollars; he beat Kalashnikov
by 1¼ lengths. Maria’s Benefit unseated her jockey at the 7th fence ...
although no-one in the stands saw due to the fog! Chepstow: Buckle
Street (Martin Keighley/Bryony Frost) refused to race in the Handicap Hurdle
[2 miles 7 furlongs & 131 yards] (10 ran). Skipthecuddles (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 5th in the Novices’ Limited
Handicap Chase (6 ran). Big Nasty
(Martin Keighley/Aidan Coleman) finished 4th and Wilde Water (Graeme
McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 7th in the
Standard Open NH Flat Race (8 ran). I notice
that Doitforthevillage won at Chepstow too ... he
deserves it, following a number of good efforts. The Coral
Welsh National was won by the Colin Tizzard-trained
Elegant Escape, ridden by Tom O’Brien.
Ramses De Teillee completed as the
runner-up, with Yala Enki
3rd and Rons Dream 4th. And the amazing Raz
De Maree, rising 14, finished 5th! Meanwhile
at Wetherby: The
Castleford Handicap Chase was won by Cracking Find, trained by Sue
Smith. Lady Buttons was a non-runner
due to the unsuitable going. Here are tomorrow’s
runners of interest: Catterick: 12:25
Jessica Rabbit (Graeme McPherson/Tom Humphries/EPDS Racing) – Mares’ Novices’
Hurdle Leicester: 13:55
Somewhere To Be (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Handicap Chase (Qualifier) [2
miles 4 furlongs & 45 yards] |
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Wednesday
26 December 2018 |
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I’m still
using my old camera, so the photos taken at Kempton Park today weren’t great
due to the overcast conditions ... especially later in the day. It seemed to
me, that Kempton Park was a lot quieter than on previous Boxing Day visits
... I watched all six races and still managed to get onto the M3 motorway by
16:05! |
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Clan Des Obeaux,
winner of the 2018 King George VI
Chase (Grade 1), for trainer Paul Nicholls and
jockey Harry Cobden |
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La Bague
Au Roi (left), winner of the Kauto Star Novices’
Chase (Grade 1). Also pictured is runner-up Topofthegame |
Verdana Blue (centre), winner of the
Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1). Also pictured is runner-up Buveur D’Air (left) and 3rd-placed If The Cap Fits |
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Here are today’s
results for my runners of interest ... Kempton Park: Topofthegame (Paul Nicholls/Harry
Cobden) finished 2nd in the Kauto Star Novices’
Chase (Grade 1) (7 ran); the race was won by the very talented mare La Bague Au Roi. Native River (Colin Tizzard/Richard
Johnson) finished 3rd in the King George VI Chase (Grade 1) (10 ran); the
race was won by Clan Des Obeaux, trained by Paul
Nicholls and ridden by Harry Cobden.
It was Paul’s 10th King George and Harry’s
1st! Big Chief Benny (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished
7th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 5 furlongs] (14 ran). I understand via a tweet from Nicky Henderson
that Might Bite bled today, hence his very disappointing showing in the King
George. Thistlecrack
ran a blinder to finish 2nd and, of course, the million pound bonus
disappeared when Bristol De Mai fell mid-race! It was a shame that Waiting Patiently was
knocked out of the race by the grey’s fall; we will all now have to ‘wait patiently’ to see if he can put
it up to the big guns later in the season! https://mobile.twitter.com/mjyharris/status/1078043621524455424/photo/1 The Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle was won by Verdana
Blue; she triumphed by just a short-head over Buveur
D’Air. With both La Bague Au Roi and Verdana Blue winning their respective Grade 1
races, it seems that you cannot afford to give away 7lbs to a very talented
mare! Huntingdon: Red Admirable (Graeme McPherson/Tom Humphries)
finished 3rd in the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (7 ran). Deyrann De Carjac (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the
Novices’ Hurdle (9 ran). Daydream Aulmes (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) won and Lord Marmaduke
(Paul Webber/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 12th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles
4 furlongs & 145 yards] (14 ran); Graeme’s 10th winner of the season. Second Time Around (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 2nd in the Novices’ Handicap Chase (7 ran). Very Live (Paul Webber/Wayne Hutchinson) was pulled
up two out during the Handicap Chase [2 miles 3 furlongs & 189 yards] (8
ran). Passing Shadow (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 8th, Miss Antipova
(Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 9th and Potters Vision (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 6th in the Intermediate Open NH Flat Race (10
ran). Market Rasen: Hollywood All Star (Graeme McPherson/Harry
Bannister/EPDS Racing – deputising for currently injured horses) finished 5th
in the Selling Handicap Hurdle (7 ran); he wasn’t claimed. Shady Glen (Graeme McPherson/Stan Sheppard) was
pulled up before four out during the Lincolnshire National Handicap Chase [3
miles 3 furlongs & 123 yards] (12 ran). Fontwell Park: Lostnfound (Jamie Snowden/Tom
Cannon) finished 2nd in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (9 ran). Coole Well (Jamie
Snowden/Max Kendrick) finished 2nd in the Novices’ Hurdle (13 ran). Jaboticaba (Alan King/Brendan
Powell) finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 1 furlong & 162
yards] (9 ran). Cloud Hopper (Jamie Snowden/Max Kendrick) was
pulled up before two out in the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (9 ran). Wincanton: Midnight Jitterbug (Martin Bosley/Joe
Anderson) finished 11th in the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (16 ran) Monbeg Theatre (Jamie
Snowden/Page Fuller) finished 2nd in the Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) [2 miles
5 furlongs & 82 yards] (11 ran); Padleyourowncanoe
won this race. Floral Bouquet (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller)
finished 4th in the Mares’ Novices’ Chase (Qualifier) (5 ran). Wetherby: Tyrell (Andrew Crook/John Kington/formerly
owned by Apple Tree Stud) finished 8th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5
furlongs & 56 yards] (14 ran).
Despite this, he actually won £350! And here
are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Kempton
Park: 12:50
Nebuchadnezzar (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Juvenile Hurdle 14:30 Altior (Nicky Henderson/Nico de
Boinville) – Desert Orchid Chase (Grade 2); he is
due to have four rivals – Diego Du Charmil, Diakali, Special Tiara and Speredek. 15:05
Springtown Lake (Philip Hobbs/Richard Johnson) – Handicap Chase [3 miles] 15:35 Dino
Velvet (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Chase [2 miles] The Grade
2 Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase is due to be run at 13:20, with Dynamite
Dollars, Highway One O One, Kalashnikov, Maria’s Benefit and Hope’s Wishes
due to take part. Chepstow: 14:10
Buckle Street (Martin Keighley/Bryony Frost) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7
furlongs & 131 yards] 15:25 Skipthecuddles (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 15:55 Big
Nasty (Martin Keighley/Aidan Coleman) & Wilde Water (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Standard Open NH Flat Race The Coral
Welsh National takes place at 14:50 – 20 runners declared – Ballyoptic, Yala Enki, Elegant Escape, Vyta Du
Roc, Vintage Clouds, Vieux Lion Rouge, Folsom Blue, Baie
Des Iles, Ramses De Teillee, Raz
De Maree, Regal Flow, Rons
Dream, Looksnowtlikebrian, Final Nudge, Lieutenant
Colonel, Kansas City Chief, Jennys Surprise, Dawson
City, Mysteree and Holly Bush Henry. Meanwhile
at Wetherby: The
Castleford Handicap Chase takes place at 14:15 with Forest Bihan, Lady Buttons, Duke Of Navan,
Bouvreuil, Just Cameron, Saint Leo, Marracudja, Cracking Find and Oak Vintage declared. Guess who
is now on twitter? Walkon! https://mobile.twitter.com/walkonFRhorse/status/1077645620091994113/photo/1 https://mobile.twitter.com/walkonFRhorse/status/1077933670080614401/photo/1 And Grumeti is feeling so much better following his recent
health scare: https://mobile.twitter.com/ManesnTales/status/1078034955626786817/photo/1 Having
vaguely followed the first three series of Game Of Thrones over the past
couple of weeks ... it was definitely a chore ... I dozed off to sleep and
missed Robb Stark’s unfortunate exit; but perhaps that was for the best. However, I was treated to a view of Richard
Madden’s naked bottom during an earlier episode! As we all were during Bodyguard too!!! I’ve
collected numerous youtube links, featuring
Richard, so will probably be tempted to add one or two ... and probably more
... to my blog during the next few days! |
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Monday
24 December 2018 |
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Merry Christmas I’ve been busy over the past couple of days,
drafting my Newbury race notes – I’ve completed 6 of 7, with just the feature
race outstanding. I’m unable to do
more than 3 races a day, because my brain just goes muzzy after that … it
must be my age! However, I have found time to binge on Medici:
Masters of Florence again … and have also watched The Take for a second
time. But I’ve probably slept through
the majority of the Game of Thrones re-runs on Sky Atlantic … although it
doesn’t help that they have to broadcast them after the ‘water-shed’, sometimes from 21:00, sometimes from 22:00. I frequently doze off when DVDs are playing
… but at least I can replay scenes when necessary … or even if not
necessary! LOL! Anyway, here are my runners of interest on Boxing
Day: Kempton Park: 13:55 Topofthegame
(Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) – Kauto Star Novices’ Chase
(Grade 1); he has 6 declared rivals – Bags Groove, No Hassle Hoff, Red
Indian, Santini, The Worlds End, La Bague Au Roi. 15:05 Native River (Colin Tizzard/Richard
Johnson) – King George VI Chase (Grade 1); he has 9 declared rivals – Bristol
De Mai, Clan Des Obeaux, Coneygree,
Double Shuffle, Might Bite, Politologue, Tea For
Two, Thistlecrack and Waiting Patiently. 15:40 Big Chief Benny (Alan King/Tom Cannon) –
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 5 furlongs] The Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle is due to take place
at 14:30, with five runners declared – Boite, Buveur D’Air, Global Citizen,
If The Cap Fits and Verdana Blue. Huntingdon: 12:05 Red Admirable (Graeme McPherson/Tom
Humphries) – Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 12:35 Deyrann De Carjac (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle 13:40 Daydream Aulmes
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) & Lord Marmaduke (Paul Webber/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap
Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs & 145 yards] 14:15 Second Time Around (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Novices’ Handicap Chase 14:50 Very Live (Paul Webber/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Handicap Chase [2 miles 3 furlongs & 189 yards] 15:25 Passing Shadow (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) & Miss Antipova
(Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) & Potters Vision (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Intermediate Open NH Flat Race Market Rasen: 12:10 Hollywood All Star (Graeme McPherson/Harry
Bannister/EPDS Racing – deputising for currently injured horses) – Selling
Handicap Hurdle 14:20 Shady Glen (Graeme McPherson/Stan Sheppard)
– Lincolnshire National Handicap Chase [3 miles 3 furlongs & 123 yards] Fontwell Park: 12:15 Lostnfound (Jamie
Snowden/Tom Cannon) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 13:15 Coole Well (Jamie
Snowden/Max Kendrick) – Novices’ Hurdle 14:25 Jaboticaba (Alan
King/Brendan Powell) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 1 furlong & 162 yards] 15:35 Cloud Hopper (Jamie Snowden/Max Kendrick) –
Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Wincanton: 12:20 Midnight Jitterbug (Martin Bosley/Joe Anderson) – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 13:25 Monbeg Theatre (Jamie
Snowden/Page Fuller) – Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) [2 miles 5 furlongs &
82 yards] 15:10 Floral Bouquet (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller)
– Mares’ Novices’ Chase (Qualifier) Wetherby: 14:45 Tyrell (Andrew Crook/John Kington/formerly owned by Apple Tree Stud) – Handicap
Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs & 56 yards] None at Sedgefield. There’s good news regarding Soul Emotion, who
collapsed after a race at Ascot on Saturday; he’s returned home to Seven
Barrows, having recovered from what is now thought to have been heatstroke! I’ve discovered two new Apple Tree Stud
youngsters; Ingenium – a chestnut filly by Exceed
And Excel – which recently ran at Chelmsford, finishing 8th of 10. And Zorro’s Girl – a bay filly by Toronado - which finished 7th of 8 at Newcastle on 22
November. Both are trained by Archie
Watson. The good news is that Racing TV (formerly known
as Racing RUK) are re-broadcasting the 2018 Aintree Festival highlights this
Festive season … but the bad news is that it’s only being shown once, at midnight
tonight! Great! Touch wood; I’ve not yet succumbed to a cold,
despite being surrounded by people who’ve got one! And, finally, Michael Harris took a lovely photo
of Valdez at Ascot on Saturday: https://mobile.twitter.com/mjyharris/status/1076593143418679296/photo/1 |
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Saturday
22 December 2018 |
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Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Ascot: Fields of Fortune (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished
8th in the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (13 ran). Valdez (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th
in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 2 furlongs & 175 yards] (10 ran). Top Notch (Nicky Henderson/James Bowen) finished
3rd in the Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) [3 miles & 97 yards] (11 ran). Full Glass (Alan King/Daryl Jacob) was pulled up
before the last during the Handicap Chase (Listed) [2 miles 7 furlongs &
180 yards] (12 ran). Cyrus Darius (Colin Tizzard/Barry
Geraghty) finished 19th, Fidux
(Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished 10th, Lisp (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 2nd, Forecast (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) finished 18th, and Chatez
(Alan King/Brendan Powell) finished last in the Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) [1
mile 7 furlongs & 152 yards] (21 ran). The Long Walk Hurdle was full of surprises, with
Sam Spinner unseating at the second flight having possibly tried to refuse at
both of the first two flights, when leading!
Unowhatimean tipped the top of the 8th
flight and fell. The favourite Call Me
A Lord was hampered by the faller, before being slightly inconvenienced on
the home turn by the fading Agrapart, and then
carried to his right by Younevercall two out! Anyway, the race was won by Paisley Park,
for trainer Emma Lavelle and rider Aidan Coleman; the trainer’s first Grade 1
victory. The feature Handicap Hurdle was won by Mohaayed for the Skeltons. Haydock Park: Poperinghe Ginger (Graeme
McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 6th in the Mares’
Novices’ Hurdle (Listed) (7 ran). Newcastle: Bingo D’Olivate (James Ewart/Steven
Fox) finished 6th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 98 yards] (12 ran). Lingfield Park
(AW): Redicean (Alan King/Martin
Harley) won the
Handicap [1 mile & 4 furlongs] (7 ran). I’ve spent
today, so far, sorting out the photos I took at Newbury and these have all
now been uploaded, link above. I’ve been
endeavouring to follow Game of Thrones on Sky Atlantic; it’s a re-run of
every episode broadcast so far, starting at Episode One. I’m tracking the journey of Robb Stark, but
it’s been quite a chore as there is a lot of dross to wade through to find
scenes featuring Richard Madden’s character!
Mind you, I must have missed quite a lot, because I keep dozing off to
sleep late evening. Robb is killed off
in episode 9 of series 3, due to be broadcast on Christmas Day evening. Needless to say, I won’t be continuing with
GoT after that ... I’ve been scouring Youtube
and have found numerous videos featuring Richard Madden; in this one he talks
about his death scene in Game of Thrones: WARNING: THIS CONTAINS VIOLENCE, BLOOD AND GORE! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NAEONClXQc This is nice (but, of course, all of the videos
are nice!); Richard Madden is talking about Bodyguard on the Ellen DeGeneres
Show: |
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Friday
21 December 2018 |
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Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Ascot: Reve (Martin Keighley/Tom Bellamy)
finished 8th in the Maiden Hurdle (12 ran). Azzerti (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Novices’ Limited
Handicap Chase (5 ran); Alan’s 59th winner of the season and Wayne’s 54th winner of the season. Thistle Do Nicely (Jamie Snowden/Aidan Coleman/part-owned
by Apple Tree Stud) finished 4th in the Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle (Grade
2) (9 ran). Lil Rockerfeller (Neil
King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (4 ran). Solstice Star (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock)
finished 7th in the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs
& 141 yards] (14 ran). Chapmanshype (Jamie Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies) finished last and The Glancing Queen
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (Listed)
(11 ran). Uttoxeter: Ikeja (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 7th in the Standard Open NH Flat
Race (9 ran). I missed this one earlier … as my ATR tracker
email didn’t arrive until 23:22 last evening: Southwell: Three Weeks (David O’Meara/Graham Lee) finished
2nd in the Handicap [1 mile & 13 yards] (9 ran). And tomorrow’s runners of interest: Ascot: 12:40 Fields of Fortune (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 13:50 Valdez (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Handicap Chase [2 miles 2 furlongs & 175 yards] 14:25 Top Notch (Nicky Henderson/James Bowen) –
Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) [3 miles & 97 yards] 15:00 Full Glass (Alan King/Daryl Jacob) –
Handicap Chase (Listed) [2 miles 7 furlongs & 180 yards] 15:35 Cyrus Darius (Colin Tizzard/Barry
Geraghty) & Fidux
(Alan King/Tom Cannon) & Lisp (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Forecast
(Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark)
& Chatez (Alan King/Brendan Powell) – Handicap
Hurdle (Grade 3) [1 mile 7 furlongs & 152 yards] Haydock Park: 13:00 Poperinghe Ginger
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Mares’ Novices’
Hurdle (Listed) Newcastle: 11:40
Bingo D’Olivate (James Ewart/Steven
Fox) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 98 yards] Lingfield Park
(AW): 14:50 Redicean (Alan King/Martin Harley) – Handicap [1 mile
& 4 furlongs] There’s no
racing in the UK on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday due to the Christmas break! |
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Thursday
20 December 2018 |
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Just one result to report today, from Exeter: Kalahari Queen (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan)
finished 2nd in the Mares’ Novices’ Chase (4 ran); however Gavin was
fortunate not to be unseated at the last, when gamely holding on to a narrow
advantage! Here are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Ascot: 12:45 Reve (Martin Keighley/Tom
Bellamy) – Maiden Hurdle 13:20 Azzerti (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 13:55 Thistle Do Nicely (Jamie Snowden/Aidan
Coleman/part-owned by Apple Tree Stud) – Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle (Grade
2) 14:30 Lil Rockerfeller
(Neil King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 15:05 Solstice Star (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock)
– Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs & 141 yards] 15:40 Chapmanshype
(Jamie Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies) & The
Glancing Queen (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Standard Open NH Flat Race
(Listed) Uttoxeter: 15:30 Ikeja (Graeme
McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Standard Open NH Flat
Race I’ve completed my Christmas crochet project and
can now concentrate on my Newbury diary and photos. I’m not sure if I’ll have
time to draft any race notes before Christmas, but I have already begun to
select the photos and hope to have these uploaded by the end of this coming
weekend. J Sadly it
is time to start using First Defence once more, as two colleagues have
developed colds over the past couple of days.
It doesn’t help that they both sit on the bank of desks opposite me
and were sneezing today, without holding a tissue over their noses. If I get
a cold during the next few days I will be livid ... because last year’s
Festive season was ruined by a streaming cold and it’s not fair if it happens
two years running. |
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Wednesday
19 December 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Ludlow: Pomme De Nuit (Martin
Keighley/Conor Shoemark)
was pulled up before three out during the Mares’ NH Novices’ Hurdle (11 ran). Galactic
Power (Robin Dickin/Miss Tabitha Worsley/EPDS Racing) finished 4th in the Handicap Hurdle
for Lady Amateur Riders (10 ran); that’s £416.24 prize money for the syndicate. Finnick Glory (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 2nd
in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (9 ran). Newbury: Our Power (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Juvenile Hurdle (7 ran); Alan’s 57th
winner of the
season and Wayne’s
52nd winner of the
season. 13:05
Brigade Of Guards (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 7th and Outofthequestion (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished 18th in
the Maiden Hurdle (20 ran). Chosen Path (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) won and Vieux Lille
(Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 7th in the Novices’ Limited Handicap
Chase (11 ran); Alan’s 58th winner of the season and Wayne’s 53rd winner of the season. Harambe (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished 4th in the NH
Novices’ Hurdle (13 ran). Eyes Right
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd, by a neck, in the Fillies’ Junior
Standard Open NH Flat Race (12 ran). Alan King
has now equalled last season’s total tally of National Hunt winners ... and
it’s not even the end of the year! Just one runner of interest tomorrow, at Exeter: 14:10 Kalahari Queen (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan) – Mares’ Novices’ Chase Robin Dickin is aiming for Sandown’s Veterans’ Final with the
ever-popular Thomas Crapper: http://www.attheraces.com/news/2018/December/19/veterans’-final-next-for-thomas-crapper I got wet
walking home last night, and wet going out this morning; I’m bored of the
rain. Typically, it stopped raining just
prior to me reaching shelter this morning ... but it was too late. Even my socks were damp, so I bought a new
multi-pack from M & S before arriving at work – Christmassy flamingos;
I’ve now left one pair in my desk drawer for future emergencies. |
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Tuesday
18 December 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Catterick: Our Reward (Jamie Snowden/Jack Quinlan/EPDS
Racing) finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [3 miles 1 furlong & 71
yards] (8 ran). Midnight Chill (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan) won the Handicap Chase [1 mile 7 furlongs & 145
yards] (5 ran); Jamie’s 20th winner of the season. Fakenham: Sula Island (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (7 ran). Young Phoenix (Martin Keighley/Paddy Brennan)
finished 2nd in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 95 yards] (8
ran). Primogeniture (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) finished 4th in
the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 3 yards] (6 ran). King Vince (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) was a
non-runner and Chequered View (Martin Keighley/Conor
Shoemark) won the Novices’ Handicap Chase (5 ran); Martin’s 16th
winner of the
season. And
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Ludlow: 14:00 Pomme De Nuit (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) – Mares’ NH Novices’
Hurdle 15:05
Galactic Power (Robin Dickin/Miss Tabitha Worsley/EPDS Racing) – Handicap Hurdle for Lady Amateur
Riders 15:35 Finnick Glory (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Standard
Open NH Flat Race Newbury: 12:30 Our Power
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Juvenile Hurdle 13:05
Brigade Of Guards (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Outofthequestion
(Alan King/Tom Cannon) – Maiden Hurdle 13:40
Chosen Path (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Vieux Lille (Jamie
Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 14:45 Harambe (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) – NH Novices’ Hurdle 15:45 Eyes
Right (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Fillies’ Junior Standard Open NH Flat
Race |
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Monday
17 December 2018 |
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Here are today’s
results for my runners of interest, at Plumpton: Mr Pumblechook (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) won the NH Auction Maiden Hurdle (13 ran) ...
although he was a 1-6 chance! Alan’s 56th
winner of the
season and Wayne’s
51st winner of the
season. Lunar Flow
(Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) was pulled up before four out during the
Handicap Chase [3 miles 1 furlong & 152 yards] (6 ran). Filemon (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) was pulled up
before three out during the Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 195
yards] (10 ran). And
tomorrow’s runners of interest too: Catterick: 13:40 Our Reward (Jamie Snowden/Jack Quinlan/EPDS
Racing) – Handicap Hurdle [3 miles 1 furlong & 71 yards] 14:40 Midnight Chill (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan) – Handicap Chase [1 mile 7 furlongs & 145 yards] Fakenham: 12:50 Sula Island (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle 13:20 Young Phoenix (Martin Keighley/Paddy
Brennan) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 95 yards] 14:20 Primogeniture (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) – Handicap
Hurdle [2 miles & 3 yards] 14:50 King Vince (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller)
& Chequered View (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) – Novices’ Handicap Chase Following a new MRI scan, Seeyouatmidnight
has been retired: Subsequent to Rockpoint’s
victory at Cheltenham on Saturday, the Racing Post has recounted the story of
his dam, and the talented offspring she has produced: Who’d have thought Dusky Legend and Santini were half-sister and half-brother although, of
course, they are in the same ownership! Following last
week’s health scare, Grumeti appears to be well on
the road to recovery J: https://mobile.twitter.com/ManesnTales/status/1074258983618297856/photo/1 And the
McNeill Family have posted a photo of Walkon ... oh dear, he’s lost his tail
again! https://mobile.twitter.com/McNeill_Family/status/1074395717198901248/photo/1 |
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Sunday
16 December 2018 |
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Happy Retirement
The New One Following
a disappointing run in yesterday’s International Hurdle, where he was pulled
up before the final flight, The New One has been retired. But it’s always good to see crowd
favourites head off into the sunset in one piece, and hopefully he’ll have a
long and happy retirement with the Twiston-Davies
family. And trainer Nigel wasn’t
ruling out finding someone to take him on as a RoR
horse too ... so we may see The New One again at one of the RoR displays; here’s hoping! Here are
yesterday’s results for my runners of interest: Cheltenham: Fret D’Estruval (Alan King/Daryl Jacob) finished 5th in the
Juvenile Hurdle (7 ran). Theinval (Nicky Henderson/Jeremiah McGrath) finished 3rd
in the Handicap Chase [2 miles & 62 yards] (5 ran). Baron Alco
(Gary Moore/Jamie Moore) finished 4th and Full Glass (Alan King/Daryl Jacob)
was a non-runner in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (12
ran). Brillare Momento (Martin
Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 7th, Sensulano (Noel Williams/Barry Geraghty) won but Giveaway Glance
(Alan King/Tom Cannon) unseated at the last in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (9
ran); Noel’s 5th winner of the season. Barry Geraghty replaced Leighton Aspell
aboard Sensulano, the latter is reported to have fractured cheek bones and
smashed his nose when unseated at Cheltenham on Friday. Barry has a 100% winning record, riding
Noel’s horses; he’s now 3 out of 3.
Noel won this race two years ago, with Briery
Queen. Here’s wishing Leighton a
speedy recovery. The Grade
2 International Hurdle was won by Brain Power, returning to hurdling at the
suggestion of his owner. Frodon, ridden by Bryony Frost, won the Caspian Caviar
Gold Cup, following a dashing front-running performance: Doncaster: Newtown
Boy (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the Novices’ Hurdle (6 ran). The Unit
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 3
furlongs & 31 yards] (4 ran). Cliffs Of
Dover (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) finished 3rd and Cubswin
(Neil King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles
& 128 yards] (7 ran). Cracker
Factory (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished last and Elysees (Alan King/Tom
Bellamy) finished 2nd by a neck in the Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (5 ran). And
today’s results too: Carlisle: Blue
Bullet (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) was a non-runner in the Novices’ Handicap
Chase. Southwell: Kimberley
Point (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished a head 2nd in the Mares’ Handicap
Hurdle (Qualifier) (4 ran). And here
are tomorrow’s runners of interest, at Plumpton: 13:30 Mr Pumblechook (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – NH Auction
Maiden Hurdle 14:00
Lunar Flow (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Handicap Chase [3 miles 1 furlong
& 152 yards] 14:35 Filemon (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Handicap Hurdle
[1 mile 7 furlongs & 195 yards] Today’s
Racing Post featured an article about Lalor’s
trainer Kayley Woollacott: Victory
Gunner, who retired in 2015 at the age of 15, has passed away peacefully in
his sleep aged 17. RIP. There was
a racehorse auction after racing at Cheltenham on Friday. Jamie Snowden purchased a 2013 Beat
Hollow-gelding named Minella Beat for £140,000. Meanwhile Alan King bought a 2014
Yeats-filly named The Cull Bank for £50,000 and a 2014 Al Namix-gelding
called Madiba Passion for £100,000. My
Christmas crochet project is progressing well, but not yet finished. I also need to make a quick return to the
dentist, as I appear to have lost a chunk of enamel from one of my molars;
drat! It’s very annoying, as I never
have problems with my teeth, and repairs are expensive too. L |
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Friday
14 December 2018 |
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Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest ... and two winners ... one of which was a 33-1 shot! Cheltenham: Lil Rockerfeller (Neil
King/Wayne Hutchinson) unseated at the second fence during the Novices’ Chase
(4 ran); connections Kerrow (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) was pulled up after the 18th fence during the Handicap Chase
(Grade 3) [3 miles 2 furlongs] (9 ran). Fact Of The Matter (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan) won the Cross Country Chase (11 ran); Jamie’s 19th
winner of the
season. Dans Le Vent (Jamie
Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 4th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7
furlongs & 213 yards] (12 ran). In addition, Wayne rode Keeper Hill for Warren Greatrex in the 15:40 Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs
& 213 yards], deputising for the injured Adrian Heskin.
They finished 2nd of 12. Here is a report regarding Fact Of The Matter’s
victory in the Cross Country event: Bangor-On-Dee: Blue Bullet (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) was
pulled up during the Handicap Chase [2 miles 1 furlong & 77 yards] (8
ran). Salmanazar (Alan King/Tom
Cannon) finished 2nd in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 7
yards] (7 ran). Grey Diamond (Alan King/Tom Cannon) 5th in the
Novices’ Hurdle (18 ran). Calum Gilhooley (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) won the
Intermediate Open NH Flat Race (7 ran); Graeme’s 9th winner of the season. He was a 33-1 shot!!! And
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Cheltenham: 12:10 Fret
D’Estruval (Alan King/Daryl Jacob) – Juvenile
Hurdle 13:20 Theinval (Nicky Henderson/Jeremiah McGrath) – Handicap
Chase [2 miles & 62 yards] 13:55 Baron
Alco (Gary Moore/Jamie Moore) & Full Glass (Alan King/Daryl Jacob) –
Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 15:40 Brillare Momento (Martin
Keighley/Harry Stock) & Sensulano (Noel
Williams/Leighton Aspell) & Giveaway Glance
(Alan King/Tom Cannon) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle The Grade
2 International Hurdle takes place at 15:05 and features Old Guard, The New
One, Silver Streak, Summerville Boy, We Have A Dream, Vision Des Flos, Brain Power and Western Ryder. Doncaster: 12:25
Newtown Boy (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle 13:00 The
Unit (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 3 furlongs &
31 yards] 14:10
Cliffs Of Dover (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) & Cubswin
(Neil King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 128 yards] 14:45
Cracker Factory (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Elysees (Alan King/Tom
Bellamy) – Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) There are
no runners of interest at Hereford tomorrow, although I notice that a least
two jockeys – Leighton Aspell and Tom Cannon are
riding there before heading over to Cheltenham for engagements! And on Sunday, weather permitting: Carlisle: 12:50 Blue
Bullet (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) – Novices’ Handicap Chase; must be
doubtful as pulled up today at Bangor. Southwell: 14:15
Kimberley Point (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle
(Qualifier) I’ve no
plans for the weekend, apart from endeavouring to finish my Christmas crochet
project. |
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Thursday
13 December 2018 |
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Here
are today’s results for my runners of interest: Taunton: Myboysam (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 8th in the Novices’ Hurdle (Div I) (13 ran). Colditz Castle (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) was badly hampered and unseated his rider two out
during the Novices’ Hurdle (Div II) (12 ran); that must have been when Paxman fell, injuring jockey Adrian Heskin,
see below. Tour De Paris (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 7th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 104 yards] (16 ran). Mahlermade (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 2nd in the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (14 ran). Cogburn (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) was pulled up before four out during the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles
3 furlongs & 1 yard] (13 ran). Ballywood (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) won the Handicap Chase [2 miles 2 furlongs & 40
yards] (9 ran); Alan’s 55th winner and Wayne’s 50th winner of the season. Jockey Adrian Heskin
broke his left leg at Taunton today, and is due to have surgery tomorrow; so
here’s wishing him a speedy recovery. Warwick: Boldmere (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 6th in the Maiden Hurdle (17 ran). Daydream Aulmes (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) won but Samson The Man (Noel Williams/Leighton Aspell) fell two out when disputing the lead during the
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs] (13 ran); Graeme’s 8th winner of the season. Edwardstone (Alan King/Tom
Bellamy) finished 2nd in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (14 ran). My runners of interest tomorrow are as follows: Cheltenham: 12:45 Lil Rockerfeller
(Neil King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Chase 14:30 Kerrow (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Chase (Grade 3) [3 miles 2 furlongs] 15:05 Fact Of The Matter (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan) – Cross Country Chase 15:40 Dans Le Vent
(Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 213
yards] Bangor-On-Dee: 11:50 Blue Bullet (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) –
Handicap Chase [2 miles 1 furlong & 77 yards] 14:10 Salmanazar (Alan
King/Tom Cannon) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 7 yards] 14:45 Grey Diamond (Alan King/Tom Cannon) –
Novices’ Hurdle 15:20 Calum Gilhooley (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) – Intermediate Open NH Flat Race But none at Doncaster! Today is
my Friday! J |
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Wednesday
12 December 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Hexham: Cranbrook Causeway (Graeme
McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 4th in the
Handicap Chase [3 miles & 41 yards] (6 ran). Pershing Missile (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) was pulled up during the Handicap Hurdle [2
miles 7 furlongs & 63 yards] (11 ran). Kempton Park (AW): Authorized Too (Noel Williams/Rossa
Ryan) finished 3rd in the Handicap [1 mile 7 furlongs & 218 yards] (10
ran). And
here are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Taunton: 12:35 Myboysam (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle (Div I) 13:05 Colditz Castle
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle (Div II) 13:35 Tour De Paris (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
– Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 104 yards] 14:10 Mahlermade (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 14:45 Cogburn (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs & 1 yard] 15:15 Ballywood (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 2 furlongs & 40 yards] Warwick: 12:50 Boldmere (Graeme
McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Maiden Hurdle 14:30 Daydream Aulmes
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) & Samson The
Man (Noel Williams/Leighton Aspell) – Handicap
Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs] 15:35 Edwardstone (Alan
King/Tom Bellamy) – Standard Open NH Flat Race Grumeti isn’t very well at the moment and has been
transported to Newmarket for treatment.
Although the initial diagnosis was colic, vets remain baffled and
wonder if it’s a spinal or neurological problem instead. So it is fingers and everything crossed
that specialists get to the bottom of it and Grumeti
makes a full recovery. Postscript –
the latest news is more positive and it is reported that he appears to be
improving ... The BHA
has published its findings regarding the fatalities incurred at this year’s
Cheltenham Festival: https://www.racingpost.com/news/videos-postcasts/nick-rust-discusses-bha-recommendations/357356 A different take on the twelve days of Christmas
… in Lambourn: This is very nice … and, yes, I’ve bought a
printed copy of GQ too! https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/richard-madden-james-bond-interview I’ve
finally put a number of Christmas decorations up ... although I’ve not
finished yet, and have also posted a number of Christmas cards today ... but
still have a few more to send too! I
always procrastinate in early December!
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Tuesday
11 December 2018 |
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Here are
today’s runners of interest: Uttoxeter: Diva Du Maquis (Noel Williams/Harry Teal) finished 4th in the
Mares’ Novices Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) (13 ran). Midnight
Maestro (Alan King/Barry Geraghty) finished 11th
and River Frost (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) fell at the 10th fence during the
Beginners’ Chase (16 ran). Manofthemountain (Jamie Snowden/Harry
Bannister) finished 7th in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (10 ran). Fontwell Park: Midnightreferendum (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (10 ran); Alan’s 54th
winner of the
season and Wayne’s
49th winner of the
season. Here are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Hexham: 13:50 Cranbrook
Causeway (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Handicap
Chase [3 miles & 41 yards] 14:20 Pershing Missile (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs &
63 yards] Kempton Park (AW): 18:45 Authorized Too (Noel Williams/Rossa Ryan) – Handicap [1 mile 7 furlongs & 218
yards] Ma Filleule sold for 220,000 euros
at the Arqana Breeding Stock sale today and will
now be heading to Goldford Stud in Cheshire: |
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Monday
10 December 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Lingfield Park: Coded Message (Ben Case/Wayne Hutchinson) won the
Mares’ Novices Hurdle (6 ran); Wayne’s
48th winner of the
season. Musselburgh: My Charity
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) fell at the first
in the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (3 ran); that was a long journey, for
an early bath. He’d fallen at the
first fence on his previous run too. And here
are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Uttoxeter: 12:30 Diva
Du Maquis (Noel Williams/Harry Teal) – Mares’
Novices Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) 13:30
Midnight Maestro (Alan King/Barry Geraghty) &
River Frost (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) – Beginners’ Chase 15:30 Manofthemountain (Jamie Snowden/Harry Bannister) –
Standard Open NH Flat Race Fontwell Park: 14:40 Midnightreferendum (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’
Novices’ Hurdle Following
Saturday’s Tingle Creek Chase, in which he finished 3rd, connections plan to
step Saint Calvados up in trip. They
also wish to give him further experience on a right-handed track ... it was
his first run going ‘clockwise’! Lalor is fine following his run in the Henry VIII
Novices’ Chase; the trainer blames the ground for his below par effort. Simon Munir and Isaac Souede’s
breeding mares go to the sales tomorrow, 21 in total, and that includes Ma Filleule. They
wish to concentrate on racing, rather than breeding, from now on. And,
finally, connections will retire The New One if he fails to sparkle in
Saturday’s International Hurdle at Cheltenham. He’s rising 11. |
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Sunday
09 December 2018 |
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Happy Retirement
My Tent Or Yours It was
announced today that My Tent Or Yours has been retired; he’s rising 12. Here are
yesterday’s results for my runners of interest; I’ve added Eldorado Allen to
Aintree’s list, having overlooked him because my ATR tracker email didn’t
arrive until 00:08 on Saturday morning! Aintree: Eldorado Allen (Colin Tizzard/Tom
O’Brien) was severely hampered at the first flight and unseated his rider in
the Novices’ Hurdle (6 ran); it was an incident packed race, as the two loose
horses later dislodged a rail, forcing another runner off the track on the
home bend! Rainbow Dreamer (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished
7th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs] (11 ran). Giving Glances (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) was
pulled up before the last in the Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle (Listed) (8 ran). One For Arthur, returning from injury, unseated
his rider at the third fence during the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase; Definitly Red won the race (4 ran). The 2017 Grand National winner is okay
following this mishap and a new plan has been hatched: http://www.attheraces.com/news/2018/December/09/haydock-or-wetherby-options-for-one-for-arthur Walk In The Mill won the Becher
Chase over the Grand National fences, for trainer Robert Walford
and jockey James Best (18 ran). And Warriors Tale, which was bred by Alan King,
won the Grand Sefton (also run over the Grand
National fences) for Paul Nicholls and Sean Bowen (11 ran). Sandown Park: Timoteo (Alan King/Tom
Cannon) finished 8th in the Handicap Hurdle (Listed) [1 mile 7 furlongs &
216 yards] (10 ran). Sceau Royal (Alan
King/Daryl Jacob) finished last in the Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1) (4 ran). Altior was the undoubted
star of the day, winning the Tingle Creek with ease despite the inclement
weather and soft going conditions.
Nicky Henderson reported that he lost a shoe during the race, and was
slightly unsound this morning ... but it’s nothing to worry about, and
similar to the issue he had shortly before last season’s Champion Chase, which
he won. A poultice will do the trick,
evidently! And there are no plans to
run in the King George: Lalor disappointed in the
Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase, finishing 3rd. It may have been the going conditions or
perhaps he needs longer between races. Chepstow: 13:25 Telson Barley
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 12th in
the Novices’ Hurdle (16 ran). 13:55 Kayf Blanco
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 3rd in the
Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (11 ran). 14:30 Ami Desbois
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods/EPDS Racing)
finished 3rd in the Welsh Grand National Trial Handicap Chase [2 miles 7
furlongs & 131 yards] (10 ran). And today’s results from Huntingdon: Bastien (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Novices’ Chase (7 ran). William H Bonney (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Handicap Hurdle [1
mile 7 furlongs & 171 yards] (12 ran); Alan’s 53rd winner of the season and Wayne’s 47th winner of the season. Briery Express (Noel
Williams/Tom Garner) finished 5th, Giving Back (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 7th and Hotter Than Hell (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished 9th in the
Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (Listed) (13 ran). Charbel won the The Peterborough Chase by 8 lengths from God’s Own. The winner was ridden by Noel Fehily today, David Bass is
currently on the sidelines due to concussion.
And tomorrow’s runners of interest: Lingfield Park: 13:00 Coded Message (Ben Case/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Mares’ Novices Hurdle Musselburgh: 13:15 My
Charity (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Novices’
Limited Handicap Chase But
there’s very sad news regarding Euxton Lane, who
was injured when falling at Bangor 8 days ago. Despite the best of care, his condition
deteriorated three days ago and, having gone down in his stable, he couldn’t
get up again and had to be put to sleep.
He was only 6. L
RIP Euxton
Lane I’ve done
some crocheting this weekend ... but not as much as I’d like to have
done. I’ve not put up any Christmas
decorations either! Instead
I’ve been DVD-binging again; this time it was the 8-episode Medici: ‘Masters of Florence’ starring Richard
Madden as Cosimo de Medici! I just can’t help myself; Richard is a very
good actor ... and he’s very nice to look at too!!! In fact so much so that I’m unable to
crochet and watch the TV screen at the same time!!! There will be a season 2, scheduled for
Netflix in 2019, although that moves twenty years on and follows the story of
Lorenzo de Medici, Cosimo’s grandson. And,
finally, a blast from the past ... a photo taken of Choc aboard Bear On Board
during the 2004 Grand National: https://mobile.twitter.com/AnaglogsDaughtr/status/1071032200777424896/photo/1 |
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Friday
07 December 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Exeter: Galactic Power (Robin Dickin/Lorcan Murtagh/EPDS Racing)
finished 2nd in the Handicap Hurdle (for Conditional Jockeys and Amateur
Riders) [2 miles 2 furlongs & 111 yards]; the prize money for runner-up
spot was £1,144.80 ... so, as I’m a member of his syndicate, I’ll get a very
small share of that! Midnight Monty (Jamie Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies) was pulled up in the Handicap Hurdle [2
miles 7 furlongs & 25 yards] (12 ran). Topofthegame (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) finished 2nd in the
Novices’ Chase (7 ran); he whipped around at the start and, as a result, was
left 20 lengths adrift as they set off – he was beaten by just 3½
lengths! The race was won by Defi Du Seuil ... which was a
surprise, following his run at Cheltenham last month when he appeared short
of confidence when jumping! Black Op
finished 3rd today, and White Moon 5th. Sandown Park: Oh Land Abloom (Neil King/Wayne Hutchinson) was a
non-runner in the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase due to unsuitable ground. Alsa Mix (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) won the Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (10 ran); Alan’s 52nd
winner of the
season and Wayne’s
46th winner of the
season. Alan will be very pleased
with the mare’s effort against the boys; the mare goes on good ground and
heavy too – she’s now 4 out of 4, including one point-to-point! But I
overlooked these three when searching for runners of interest: Pete The
Feat (Charlie Longsdon/Mr Peter Mason) finished
3rd, Hey Bill (Graeme McPherson/Mr Callum McBride)
unseated and Thomas Crapper (Robin Dickin/Miss
Tabitha Worsley) finished 2nd in the Amateur
Riders’ Handicap Chase (8 ran). And here
are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Aintree: 13:00 Rainbow Dreamer (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs]; he’s been on the
side-lines for 633 days over jumps and 536 days on the flat having been badly
jarred up during his last run. 14:40 Giving Glances (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
– Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle (Listed) One For Arthur returns from the injury sidelines
in the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase at 14:05. Sandown Park: 14:25 Timoteo (Alan
King/Tom Cannon) – Handicap Hurdle (Listed) [1 mile 7 furlongs & 216
yards] 15:00 Sceau Royal (Alan
King/Daryl Jacob) – Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1); his rivals are Altior, Saint Calvados and Un De Sceaux Lalor has been declared for
the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at 13:50. Chepstow: 13:25 Telson Barley
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Novices’ Hurdle 13:55 Kayf Blanco
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Novices’ Limited
Handicap Chase 14:30 Ami Desbois
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods/EPDS Racing) – Welsh
Grand National Trial Handicap Chase [2 miles 7 furlongs & 131 yards] No runners of interest at Wetherby. And on Sunday,
at Huntingdon: 12:50 Bastien (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Chase 13:55 William H Bonney
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 171
yards] 15:00 Briery Express
(Noel Williams/Tom Garner) & Giving Back (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
& Hotter Than Hell (Alan King/Tom Cannon) – Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat
Race (Listed) The
Peterborough Chase takes place on Sunday, with God’s Own, Art Mauresque, Charbel, San Benedeto and Tea For Two amongst those declared. I’m rather
bored with soggy weather, from a walking point of view although, of course,
winter racing needs rain ... but not too much of it!!! I’m
planning to continue work on my Christmas crochet project this weekend and,
if I have the time and inclination, I might put up some festive decorations
too! |
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Thursday
06 December 2018 |
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Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Wincanton: Stylish Moment (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 6th in the NH Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (8 ran). My Dixie (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) was pulled
up during the Mares’ Maiden Hurdle (11 ran). Dino Velvet (Alan King/Adrian Heskin)
finished 8th and Jaboticaba (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 10th in the Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 65
yards] (12 ran). Cotswold Prince (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock)
finished 9th, Perfect Predator (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 7th and Sheshoon Sonny (Alan King/Adrian Heskin)
finished 4th in the ‘Junior’ Standard
Open NH Flat Race (14 ran). Market Rasen: Seaborough (Alan King/Tom
Cannon) finished 4th in the Juvenile Hurdle (7 ran). Leicester: (which
held an exclusively hurdle card again) Reve (Martin Keighley/Tom
Bellamy) fell two out when leading and Pomme De Nuit (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) finished 4th in the Maiden Hurdle (7 ran). Primogeniture (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) finished 3rd in
the Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 113 yards] (7 ran). Here are
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Exeter: 12:25 Galactic Power (Robin Dickin/Lorcan Murtagh/EPDS Racing) –
Handicap Hurdle (for Conditional Jockeys and Amateur Riders) [2 miles 2
furlongs & 111 yards] 13:00 Midnight Monty (Jamie Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs
& 25 yards] 14:35 Topofthegame (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) – Novices’
Chase ... he reminds me of Pride of Pemberley! Rivals include Black Op and White Moon. Sandown Park: 13:55 Oh Land Abloom (Neil King/Wayne Hutchinson)
– Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 14:25 Alsa Mix (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) Just four horses have been declared for
Saturday’s Tingle Creek Chase ... but what a quartet they are! Altior, Saint
Calvados, Sceau Royal and Un De Sceaux! Connections
were hoping that Pride Of Pemberley would be able
to return to action this weekend but, sadly, it appears there’s been another
set-back; further information will be revealed by EPDS next week. These racehorses are so fragile ... mind
you I’d been tempted to wrap up all of my favourites in cottonwool
so they don’t get hurt!!! Oh well,
that means I will be home on Saturday, rather than paying a visit to Sandown
Park. I hadn’t bought a ticket yet, so
no funds lost. I don’t mind staying at
home, as I’m looking forward to watching the racing from Aintree too. Winner,
winner, chicken dinner. Last night I
won £30 on the new lotto game.
Yesterday’s ticket was a lucky dip, having been issued with a freebie
ticket after selecting two numbers on a previous draw. J I’m sticking with my regular lucky numbers,
as I won 2 x £25 on recent occasions although, having said that, it had been
ages since I’d won prior to that! I’ve
started my Christmas crochet project, so have put aside my Newbury diary for the
present, having drafted the top and tail thereof. |
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Wednesday
05 December 2018 |
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And here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Haydock Park: Paddys Runner (Graeme
McPherson/Tom Humphries) finished 6th in the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap
Hurdle (9 ran). Kootenay River (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished
9th in the Maiden Hurdle (10 ran). Springtown Lake (Philip Hobbs/Richard Johnson)
finished 2nd in the Novices’ Chase (4 ran). Fibonacci (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished 4th in
the Introductory Hurdle (6 ran). Nayati (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 9th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 2 furlongs & 191
yards] (10 ran). Voie Dans
Voie (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th in
the Handicap Chase [2 miles 6 furlongs & 204 yards] (7 ran). Big Nasty (Martin Keighley/Richard Johnson)
finished 3rd, Farrants Way (Venetia Williams/Wayne
Hutchinson) was a non-runner and Amorlette (Jamie
Snowden/Brian Hughes) finished last in the ‘Newcomers’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (9 ran). Nayati, who is currently
owned by Grech and Parkin,
goes to the sales on Friday; today’s effort will have done nothing to change
connections mind! Ludlow: Giveaway Glance (Alan King/Tom
Cannon) won, but
Floral Bouquet (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) fell two out when leading during
the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (4 ran); Alan’s 51st winner of the season. Early Morning Rain (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan)
finished 7th and Marlow Moss (Jamie Snowden/Aidan Coleman) finished 9th in
the Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (16 ran). And here are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Wincanton: 12:25 Stylish Moment (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
– NH Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 13:00 My Dixie (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Mares’ Maiden Hurdle 14:05 Dino Velvet (Alan King/Adrian Heskin) & Jaboticaba (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 65 yards] 15:40 Cotswold Prince (Martin Keighley/Harry
Stock) & Perfect Predator (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Sheshoon Sonny (Alan King/Adrian Heskin)
– ‘Junior’ Standard Open NH Flat
Race Market Rasen: 12:15 Seaborough (Alan
King/Tom Cannon) – Juvenile Hurdle Leicester: (which
is holding a solely hurdle card again) 13:40 Reve (Martin
Keighley/Tom Bellamy) & Pomme De Nuit (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) – Maiden Hurdle 14:15 Primogeniture (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) – Handicap
Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 113 yards] As it’s Wednesday, I’ve purchased a copy of Weekender. Alan King reveals that he was delighted
with Dingo Dollar’s effort in Saturday’s feature race (I can’t bring myself
to call it by its new name ... it will always be the Hennessy!) and that the
Scottish National will be the horse’s main target this season. This being the case, he’s going to bypass
the Welsh National (which was solely a back-up plan) and probably head to
Doncaster for January’s Sky Bet Chase; maybe taking in the 3 mile 1 furlong
handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival along the way too. |
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Tuesday
04 December 2018 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Southwell: Another
Crick (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Novices’ Limited
Handicap Chase (7 ran). Notachance (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the
Novices Hurdle (11 ran). Ben Buie (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 6th in the
Standard National Hunt Flat Race (Conditional Jockeys and Amateur Riders) (8
ran). Fakenham: Shady Glen
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 5th in the
Handicap Chase [2 miles 5 furlongs & 44 yards] (8 ran). 14:40 Anti
Cool (Robin Dickin/Charlie Poste/EPDS
Racing) finished 6th in the Handicap Chase [2 miles & 59 yards] (7 ran). And here are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Haydock Park: 12:20 Paddys Runner
(Graeme McPherson/Tom Humphries) – Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 12:50 Kootenay River (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) –
Maiden Hurdle 13:20 Springtown Lake (Philip Hobbs/Richard
Johnson) – Novices’ Chase 13:55 Fibonacci (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) –
Introductory Hurdle 14:25 Nayati (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 2 furlongs & 191 yards]
15:00 Voie Dans Voie (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 6 furlongs & 204 yards] 15:30 Big Nasty (Martin Keighley/Richard Johnson)
& Farrants Way (Venetia Williams/Wayne
Hutchinson) & Amorlette (Jamie Snowden/Brian
Hughes) – ‘Newcomers’ Standard Open
NH Flat Race Ludlow: 13:10 Giveaway Glance (Alan King/Tom Cannon)
& Floral Bouquet (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 15:20 Early Morning Rain (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan) & Marlow Moss (Jamie Snowden/Aidan Coleman) – Mares’ Standard
Open NH Flat Race Having
sustained an injury during this year’s Grand National, Seeyouatmidnight
continues to struggle with a soundness issue: http://www.attheraces.com/news/2018/December/04/seeyouatmidnight-may-return-next-season And looking ahead to Saturday’s Tingle Creek
Chase at Sandown Park: http://www.attheraces.com/news/2018/December/04/altior-all-set-for-tingle-creek-return Following Saturday’s feature race, plans have
been revealed for Ms Parfois: http://www.attheraces.com/news/2018/December/04/welsh-national-plan-for-ms-parfois I was shocked to discover that four horses died
at Musselburgh yesterday, including Sierra Oscar who I’d already reported as
having suffered a fatal injury: I feel
shattered this evening ... I fell off to sleep in the armchair having eaten
my evening meal! |
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Monday
03 December 2018 |
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Here are today’s
results for my runners of interest, at Plumpton: Breaking
Waves (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the Maiden Hurdle (13
ran). Oscar Star
(Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) finished 4th in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (5
ran). Coole Well (Jamie Snowden/Max
Kendrick) won the Novices’ Hurdle (12 ran); Jamie’s 18th
winner of the
season. Kalashnikov
was an impressive winner of the Novices’ Chase: And two which I missed ... until my ATR tracker
reminded me: Wolverhampton: Redicean (Alan King/Martin Harley) won the Handicap [1
mile 4 furlongs & 51 yards] (6 ran). Musselburgh: Single
Estate (Simon Waugh/Callum Bewley/raised
by Apple Tree Stud) finished 4th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs
& 171 yards] (6 ran). He was last
of the finishers, as Nendrum fell and Sierra Oscar
was pulled up having suffered a fatal injury. RIP And
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Southwell: 13:00
Another Crick (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Limited Handicap
Chase 13:30 Notachance (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices Hurdle 15:30 Ben Buie (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Standard National
Hunt Flat Race (Conditional Jockeys and Amateur Riders) Fakenham: 13:10
Shady Glen (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) –
Handicap Chase [2 miles 5 furlongs & 44 yards] 14:40 Anti
Cool (Robin Dickin/Charlie Poste/EPDS
Racing) – Handicap Chase [2 miles & 59 yards] Connections
mourn the loss of Bleu Et Rouge who died at Newcastle on Saturday: I’m a
winner today ... each year my employer has an advert calendar draw, whereby a
name is picked out of the hat each day from 01 to 24 December. The prizes are a £10 Amazon voucher for
each of the first 23 days, and a £50 voucher if your name is picked on
Christmas Eve. My name was picked
first this year, so I have £10 to spend via Amazon. J |
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Sunday
02 December 2018 |
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Here is
the usual Sunday ‘mega’ blog ...
Winner of the Ladbrokes Trophy
Handicap Chase Sizing Tennessee, trained by Colin Tizzard and ridden by Tom Scudamore Here are
yesterday’s results for my runners of interest: Newbury: Passing
Call (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
(Listed) (5 ran). Skipthecuddles (Graeme
McPherson/Adam Wedge) finished 4th in the Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (7 ran). Big Chief
Benny (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 10th in the Handicap Hurdle [2
miles 4 furlongs & 118 yards] (15 ran). Lisp (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Intermediate Limited Handicap
Hurdle (Listed – the Gerry Feilden Hurdle) (9 ran). Dingo
Dollar (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd and Ms Parfois
(Anthony Honeyball/Aidan Coleman) finished 6th in
the Ladbrokes’ Trophy Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (12 ran); that was the fewest
runners since Coome Hill won in 1996! Colin Tizzard trained the winner, the runner-up and the fifth
in the Ladbrokes’ Trophy: Tom Scudamore rode the winner of the first ‘Hennessy’ I saw during my first ever
visit to Newbury, back in 2008; his ride that day was Madison Du Berlais. Having
been pulled up yesterday, it was decided to retire Barters Hill: http://www.attheraces.com/news/2018/December/01/barters-hill-retired-following-newbury-run Doncaster: Outofthequestion (Alan King/Tom
Cannon) finished 4th in the Novices’ Hurdle (6 ran). Midnightreferendum (Alan King/Tom
Cannon) was a non-runner in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (NHMOPS Bonus Race) Cosmeapolitan (Alan King/Sean
Bowen) finished 3rd but Harefield (Alan King/Tom
Cannon) fell three out during the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 128 yards]
(6 ran). Midnight
Maestro (Alan King/Tom Cannon) was a non-runner in the Novices’ Limited
Handicap Chase Potterman (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished 5th in the
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs & 88 yards] (6 ran); Tyrell (A
Crook/J Kington) also ran in the race, but he
finished last. Fuseau (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished 2nd in the ‘Junior’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (8
ran). Newcastle: Ask Ben (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) won the
Novices’ Hurdle (6 ran); he was a 50-1 shot!
I saw Ask Ben when I visited Graeme’s yard back in October; I liked
him! Graeme’s 7th winner of the season. Ami Desbois (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods/EPDS Racing) unseated his jockey at the third fence during the Rehearsal
Handicap Chase (Listed) [2 miles 7 furlongs & 91 yards] (12 ran). Buveur D’Air trounced Samcro in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle. Sadly the race was marred by the death of
Bleu Et Rouge, who was having his first run for trainer Ben Haslam. RIP
RIP Bleu Et Rouge Here is an
article in which Graeme McPherson describes his shock after Ask Ben won: http://www.attheraces.com/news/2018/December/01/ask-ben-lands-50-1-shock-at-newcastle Lake View Lad won the Rehearsal Chase at
Newcastle: And a report regarding Buveur
D’Air’s triumph in the Fighting Fifth: And
today’s single result from Leicester: Cut And
Run (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) was pulled up during the Mares’ Maiden
Hurdle (6 ran). Here are
tomorrow’s runners of interest, at Plumpton: 12:30
Breaking Waves (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) – Maiden Hurdle 13:30
Oscar Star (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 14:00 Coole Well (Jamie Snowden/Max Kendrick) – Novices’ Hurdle Kalashnikov
runs in the Novices’ Chase to be run at 13:00. It’s been
reported that Claimantakinforgan has sustained an
injury which will probably keep him on the sidelines for the remainder of
this season. I
thoroughly enjoyed my day out at Newbury, despite the drizzle which lasted
until 13:45! However, I certainly
didn’t enjoy my journeys, both outbound and inbound. Having left home just before 08:30, it was
almost a ‘white-out’ on the M25 due
to heavy rain. Then, on my inbound
journey, I got caught up in a very long tailback on the eastbound carriageway
of the M4 – it transpired the carriageway was reduced to one lane, but only
for a few hundred metres, just prior to Junction 10! One message board stated 47 minutes to
travel 15 miles! I planned
to break my journey home, to visit my friend Den in Caversham. However, my recollection of the route
through Reading from Junction 12 is very sketchy ... and impossible to know
after dark, and I’ve never used Junction 11.
This left me with the sole option of leaving via Junction 10, hence
the long delay. In fact I left the
racecourse car park at 16:10, with only a short delay to reach the Hambridge Road, but didn’t arrive in Caversham
until 17:45!!! And that
wasn’t the end of my travel woes ... my favoured route home from Den’s is via
the M4, joining it at the Maidenhead junction. However, as I was driving down the dual
carriageway which runs between the A4 and M4, I saw a message board stating
that the eastbound carriageway was closed between two junctions along my
intended route ... so I decided to double-back on myself and head up the A404
to join the M40 at High Wycombe instead!
Mind you, I did notice one or two drivers did head down the slip-road
onto the eastbound carriageway of the M4 ... so maybe the signing wasn’t
correct. Did it state closed between
J7 and J6? I don’t know; if so, they
would have been able to travel between J8/9 and J7 I suppose. If I’d
left at junction 7 yesterday, I might have ended up lost in Slough ... nooooooooooooo! I
used to be very familiar with the route, around Slough, having worked in
Bracknell for 15 months back in the 1990’s, but no longer. I used to travel via Ascot, Windsor, Slough,
Stoke Poges, Gerrards Cross,
Denham and Maple Cross, before joining the M25 at the latter. So do I need a satnav? Of course not, as I can always style it
out, one way or the other! My
re-route wasn’t ideal, as I have a longstanding aversion to Junction 4 on the
M40, if joining the motorway, rather than leaving it in order to head south
along the A404... but it wasn’t that bad, especially at 21:30; although I did
go the long way around the island, rather than via the strange ‘cut-through the centre’ route, to
reach the slip-road! So, as I
stated earlier, the racing was good despite the damp weather, but the travel
problems were horrendous! I’ve been
struggling against time today, although I have found time to set up the
templates in preparation for drafting my Newbury diary. I’ve come
to the conclusion that my local Council has lost its mind with regard to the
parking restrictions which have been introduced on many of the roads within a
reasonable walking distance of the City station, and City centre for that
matter. It’s claimed that spending
around £8 a day to park at the station is cheap ... not in my book it
isn’t! What about people who cannot
afford to park at the station, or due to their advancing years cannot walk
long distances from areas where they can park, or people who aren’t close to
a bus route. It’s obviously a
money-grabbing scheme. From my
point of view, when short of time or lame like I was in the summer, the
ability to park within a 10 minute walk of the City Centre, for free, was a
godsend. My favoured road now has
restrictions Monday to Saturday, whilst others are restricted Monday to
Friday. I’m also
livid that, along a couple of roads I use on a regular basis, a standard
width pavement is now designated to be a cycling route ... no doubt another
crazy idea thought up by someone who never walks anywhere ... for, if they
did, they’d know how dangerous this can be for pedestrians. |
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