FEBRUARY 2019
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What’s new this month? |
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xxx – xxx |
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Thursday
28 February 2019 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Ludlow: Raving
Bonkers (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 11th in the Novices’ Hurdle
(14 ran). Kayf Blanco (Graeme McPherson/Tom
Humphries) won the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (3 ran); Graeme’s 18th winner of the
season. Taunton: Sammylou (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) finished 3rd in the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (9 ran). Bastien (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th in the
Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (5 ran). Thistle Do
Nicely (Jamie Snowden/Tom O’Brien/part-owned Apple Tree Stud) finished 2nd in
the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs & 1 yard] (6 ran). Perfect Predator (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) won the Standard Open NH Flat Race (7 ran); Alan’s 71st
runner of the
season and Wayne’s 67th
winner of the
season. Perfect Predator is Cosmea’s son. And
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Newbury: 15:55 My
Charity (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) & Notachance (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle
[3 miles & 52 yards] 17:00 Glasha’s Peak (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’
Standard Open NH Flat Race Doncaster: 14:40 Coole Well (Jamie Snowden/Max Kendrick) & Lord Walsingham (Alan King/Tom Cannon) – Novices’ Hurdle 15:45 Sula Island (Alan King/Tom Cannon) – Mares’ Handicap
Hurdle (Qualifier) |
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Wednesday
27 February 2019 |
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Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Wincanton: Kootenay River (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished 3rd
and Sir Pass I Am (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 10th in the Novices’
Hurdle (11 ran). Samson The Man (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 4th in the Handicap Hurdle Div I [2 miles 5 furlongs & 82 yards]
(11 ran). Delirious Love (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 7th in the Handicap Hurdle Div II
[2 miles 5 furlongs & 82 yards] (14 ran). Also one at Southwell (AW): Three Weeks (David O’Meara/Joe Fanning/Apple Tree
Stud) finished 4th in the Handicap [7 furlongs & 14 yards] (9 ran). Here are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Ludlow: 13:50 Raving Bonkers (Martin Keighley/Harry
Stock) – Novices’ Hurdle 14:25 Kayf Blanco
(Graeme McPherson/Tom Humphries) – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase Taunton: 15:10 Sammylou (Graeme
McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 15:45 Bastien (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 16:20 Thistle Do Nicely (Jamie Snowden/Tom
O’Brien/part-owned Apple Tree Stud) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs
& 1 yard] 17:30 Perfect Predator (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Standard Open NH Flat Race Last year’s winner, Penhill,
has been ruled out of the Stayers’ Hurdle due to
injury: |
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Tuesday
26 February 2019 |
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Here are today’s
results for my runners of interest: Leicester: Oscar World (Martin Keighley/Leighton Aspell) finished 2nd in the Mares’ Handicap Chase (4
ran). Cranbrook Causeway (Graeme
McPherson/Miss Lilly Pinchin) finished 2nd in the
Handicap Chase [2 miles 6 furlongs & 151 yards) (8 ran). Ffos Las: Derrick D’Anjou (Graeme
McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 3rd in the
Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (11 ran). Hollywood All Star (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods/EPDS Racing) pulled up during the Handicap
Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 182 yards] (10 ran). Calum Gilhooley
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 12th in
the Standard Open NH Flat Race (16 ran). Catterick: Saryshagann (David O’Meara/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Maiden Hurdle (Novices’ Hurdle Qualifier) (8
ran). Hogan’s Height (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan) won the Novices’ Hurdle (4 ran); Jamie’s 27th
winner of the
season. And tomorrow’s runners of interest, at Wincanton: 13:20 Kootenay River (Alan King/Tom Bellamy)
& Sir Pass I Am (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle 13:50 Samson The Man (Noel Williams/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle Div I [2 miles 5 furlongs & 82 yards] 14:20 Delirious Love (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Handicap Hurdle Div II [2 miles 5
furlongs & 82 yards] Also one at Southwell (AW): 16:10 Three Weeks (David O’Meara/Joe
Fanning/Apple Tree Stud) – Handicap [7 furlongs & 14 yards] * *
* * *
* * Richard Madden made a surprise visit to the
Glasgow Film Festival yesterday; he attended the second screening of a
documentary he’d narrated, called Harry Birrell
Presents. Here is the newspaper article explaining how this
collaboration came about: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/movies/bodyguard-star-richard-madden-reel-13945190
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Pictured with Harry’s
granddaughter Corina Birrell
and director Matt Pinder And news of his surprise visit yesterday: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity/richard-madden-turns-up-glasgow-14056265 I love the
commitment Richard has shown towards this project; from its infancy to its
premiere. |
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Monday
25 February 2019 |
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Here are Saturday’s
results for my runners of interest: Kempton
Park: Potterman (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs] (13
ran). Good Man Pat (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 3rd in the Pendil Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)
(4 ran). Praeceps (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 3rd and Giving Glances (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished
10th in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (12 ran). Scarlet Dragon (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 5th in the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (7 ran). Talkischeap (Alan King/Tom
Cannon) finished 5th in the Handicap Chase (Grade 3) [3 miles] (10 ran). Another Crick (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Handicap Chase [2
mile 4 furlongs & 110 furlongs] (8 ran).
Noel’s 8th winner of the season and Wayne’s 66th winner of the season. Madiba Passion (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (8
ran). Chepstow: Anti Cool (Robin Dickin/Lorcan Murtagh) finished 9th in
the Handicap Chase [2 miles & 11 yards] (13 ran). And Sunday’s results for my runners of
interest, all at Fontwell Park: Shannon Hill (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 4th and Grange Ranger (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 8th in
the Novices’ Hurdle (13 ran). Lyrical
King (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished last in the Maiden Open NH Flat
Race (13 ran). And today’s
results for my runners of interest, at Plumpton: Grey Diamond (Alan King/Wayne Hutchison) finished
4th in the Maiden Hurdle (12 ran). Early Morning Rain (Jamie Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies) won the Mares’ Standard
Open NH Flat Race (8 ran); Jamie’s 26th winner of the season. And my runners of interest tomorrow, Tuesday: Leicester: 14:00 Oscar World (Martin Keighley/Leighton Aspell) – Mares’ Handicap Chase 16:00 Cranbrook
Causeway (Graeme McPherson/Miss Lilly Pinchin) –
Handicap Chase [2 miles 6 furlongs & 151 yards) Ffos Las: 14:10 Derrck D’Anjou (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 15:10 Hollywood All Star (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods/EPDS Racing) – Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7
furlongs & 182 yards] 16:40 Calum Gilhooley (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) – Standard Open NH Flat Race Catterick: 14:50 Saryshagann
(David O’Meara/Wayne Hutchinson) – Maiden Hurdle (Novices’ Hurdle Qualifier) 15:50 Hogan’s Height (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan) – Novices’ Hurdle Three news items relating to the Cheltenham
Festival: News of Native River: The Arkle favourite, Le
Richebourg, has been ruled out due to injury: And Nicky Henderson’s impressive Saturday winner,
Fusil Raffles, will miss the Festival because his skin tear won’t heal in
time: Owners are devastated by the loss of Baywing, following his fatal fall on Saturday; RIP: Apple Tree Stud’s Her Terms has given birth to a
Dark Angel foal; the Stud’s first foal of the season: https://mobile.twitter.com/Choc_Thornton/status/1098172340888850432/photo/1 |
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Friday
22 February 2019 |
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Happy Retirement Buywise The Evan Williams-trained Buywise
was retired following a run at Exeter today.
Evan said the horse has not been quite himself since falling during the
Veteran’s Final at Sandown Park last month; so they thought they’d try him
over hurdles today, but to no avail. He was due to retire at the end of the
season anyway. Here’s wishing the
veteran a long and happy retirement; evidently one of Evan’s daughters has ‘bagged him’ as her hunter! Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest and congratulations to Martin Keighley and his team upon a brace of
winners at Catterick! Warwick: Smith’s Bay (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished
6th in the NH Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (10 ran). Nebuchadnezzar (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 4th and Homing Star (Graeme McPherson/Tom Humphries) finished last
in the Juvenile Hurdle (15 ran). Red Admirable (Graeme McPherson/Miss Lilly Pinchin) finished 5th in the Hands and Heels Hurdle
(Conditionals & Amateur Riders) (16 ran). Mahlermade (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 3rd and Hey Bill (Graeme McPherson/Tom Humphries)
finished 5th in the Handicap Chase [3 miles 1 furlong & 100 yards] (7
ran). 16:30 Burren Walk (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd and Fourshoes
(Alan King/Brendan Powell) finished 6th, despite having proved impossible to
steer around the left-hand turns during the Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race
(13 ran). Catterick: Reve (Martin Keighley/Richard
Johnson) won the Maiden Hurdle (6 ran); Martin’s 18th winner of
the season. Solstice Star (Martin Keighley/Richard Johnson) won the Handicap Chase [3 miles 1
furlongs & 54 yards] (6 ran); Martin’s 19th winner of the season. Passing Shadow (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 7th in the Standard Open NH Flat
Race (12 ran). Exeter: Giveaway Glance (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished
7th and Awesome Rosie (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished 6th in the Mares’
Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) (9 ran). Board Of Trade (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished
5th in the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (7 ran). Sheshoon Sonny (Alan King/Tom
Bellamy) finished 2nd in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (10 ran). And here are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Kempton Park: 13:15 Potterman (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs] 13:50 Good Man Pat (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Pendil Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 14:25 Praeceps (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Giving Glances (Alan King/Tom Cannon) – Adonis
Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) 15:00 Scarlet Dragon (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
– Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 15:35 Talkischeap (Alan
King/Tom Cannon) – Handicap Chase (Grade 3) [3 miles] 16:10 Another Crick (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson)
– Handicap Chase [2 mile 4 furlongs & 110 furlongs] 16:45 Madiba Passion
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Standard Open NH Flat Race Chepstow: 16:50 Anti Cool (Robin Dickin/Lorcan Murtagh) – Handicap
Chase [2 miles & 11 yards] And Sunday’s
runners of interest, all at Fontwell Park: 15:25 Shannon Hill (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
& Grange Ranger (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Novices’ Hurdle 16:55
Lyrical King (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Maiden Open NH Flat Race |
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Thursday
21 February 2019 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Huntingdon: Galactic Power (Robin Dickin/Jack Quinlan/EPDS Racing) finished 5th in the
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs & 145 yards] (16 ran). Sixty’s Belle (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 2nd in the Mares’ Maiden Hurdle (12 ran). Here are
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Warwick: 13:10 Smith’s Bay (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
NH Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) 13:40 Nebuchadnezzar (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
& Homing Star (Graeme McPherson/Tom Humphries) – Juvenile Hurdle 15:20 Red Admirable (Graeme McPherson/Miss Lilly Pinchin) – Hands and Heels Hurdle (Conditionals &
Amateur Riders) 15:55 Mahlermade (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Hey Bill (Graeme McPherson/Tom Humphries) –
Handicap Chase [3 miles 1 furlong & 100 yards] 16:30 Burren Walk (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Fourshoes (Alan
King/Brendan Powell) – Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race Catterick: 15:05 Reve (Martin
Keighley/Richard Johnson) – Maiden Hurdle 15:35 Solstice Star (Martin Keighley/Richard
Johnson) – Handicap Chase [3 miles 1 furlongs & 54 yards] 16:10 Passing Shadow (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Standard Open NH Flat Race Exeter: 15:45 Giveaway Glance (Alan King/Tom Cannon)
& Awesome Rosie (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle
(Qualifier) 16:50 Board Of Trade (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) –
Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 17:20 Sheshoon Sonny (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) – Standard Open NH
Flat Race |
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Wednesday
20 February 2019 |
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Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest: Ludlow: I’m A Believer (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 9th in the Maiden Hurdle Div II (10 ran); he blundered three out and
was eased. Azzerti (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Novices’ Chase (3
ran); Alan’s 70th
winner of the season and Wayne’s 65th winner of the season. Doncaster: Dans Le Vent (Jamie
Snowden/Aidan Coleman) finished 2nd in the Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) [3
miles & 84 yards] (9 ran) Forgotten Gold (Tom George/Mr Noel George)
finished 3rd in the Open Hunters’ Chase (5 ran). And
tomorrow’s runners of interest: Huntingdon: 14:15 Galactic Power (Robin Dickin/Jack Quinlan/EPDS Racing) – Handicap Hurdle [2
miles 4 furlongs & 145 yards] 17:10 Sixty’s Belle (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Mares’ Maiden Hurdle The 2017 Ascot Gold Cup winner, Big
Orange, has been retired due to injury: https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/ascot-gold-cup-winner-big-orange-retired-due-to-injury/367337 Willie Mullins is hoping to run four
horses in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, in an endeavour to win the race which has
so far eluded him: |
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Tuesday
19 February 2019 |
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Here are today’s
results for my runners of interest: Taunton: Midnightreferendum (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Mares’ NH Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (10
ran). Voie Dans
Voie (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in
the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (10 ran). Fidux (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 10th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 104 yards]
(14 ran). Wetherby: Kalahari Queen (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan) won the Mares’ Novices’ Chase (Qualifier) (3 ran); Jamie’s 25th winner of the season. Legends Ryde (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 3rd in the
Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (10 ran). Sadly
there were two fatalities today – the Harry Fry-trained Misterton
who fell at Taunton when in contention, two out, and the Philip Kirby-trained
Magic Dragon at Wetherby who went wrong on the flat
between the final two hurdles, when leading.
RIP Four runners of interest tomorrow: Ludlow: 13:50 I’m A Believer (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
– Maiden Hurdle Div II 14:25 Azzerti (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Chase Doncaster: 15:25 Dans Le Vent
(Jamie Snowden/Aidan Coleman) – Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) [3 miles & 84
yards] 16:30
Forgotten Gold (Tom George/Mr Noel George) – Open Hunters’ Chase |
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Monday
18 February 2019 |
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Here are
today’s results for my runners of interest: Carlisle: Thomas Macdonagh (Jamie
Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies) finished 2nd in the
Standard Open Flat Race (6 ran). Lingfield Park: Richie Valentine (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan)
finished 8th and Arkyn (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 5th in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (AW) (12 ran). Alrightjack (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan) won the Maiden Hurdle (9 ran); Jamie’s 24th
winner of the
season. Lostnfound (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan) finished 2nd in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (6 ran). Newcastle (AW): Celtic Artisan (Rebecca Menzies/Cam
Hardie/EPDS Racing) finished 6th in the Handicap [1
mile & 5 yards] (14 ran). Here are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Taunton: 15:10 Midnightreferendum
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ NH Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) 15:45 Voie Dans Voie (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 16:15 Fidux (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 104 yards] Wetherby: 14:25 Kalahari Queen (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan) – Mares’ Novices’ Chase (Qualifier) 17:05
Legends Ryde (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Mares’
Standard Open NH Flat Race |
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Sunday 17
February 2019 |
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Happy retirement Coneygree
The 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was retired
yesterday, having been pulled up at Ascot during a Handicap Chase. Here’s wishing him a long and happy
retirement. Here are yesterday’s results for my runners of
interest: Ascot: Master Blueyes (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) was a non-runner in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3
furlongs & 58 yards]; he had a vet’s certificate. Smooth Stepper (Alex Hales/Wayne Hutchinson) finished
5th in the Limited Handicap Chase (Listed) Terrefort (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville) finished 2nd
in the Denman Chase (Grade 2) (4 ran); the race was won, impressively, by
Clan Des Obeaux, although Terrefort
did put in a very good effort. Lisp (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 8th
and William H Bonney (Alan King/Tom Cannon)
finished 10th in the Betfair Hurdle [1 mile 7
furlongs & 152 yards] (14 ran); the race was won by the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained favourite Al Dancer ridden by son
Sam. Daydream Aulmes (Graeme
McPherson/Sam Twiston-Davies) fell two out and
Another Emotion (Warren Greatrex/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 7th in the Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) [2 miles 7 furlongs & 118
yards] (16 ran). There were worries for Graeme’s charge but, Sam having
thought quickly and grabbed hold of the horse, Daydream Aulmes
is reported to be okay today following his unfortunate mishap. Eyes Right (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished
4th in the Mares’ Standard Open Flat Race (Qualifier) (14 ran). The Grade 1 Ascot Chase was won by Cyrname; he annihilated the field, winning by 17 lengths
from Waiting Patiently. Haydock Park: Sensulano (Noel
Williams/Leighton Aspell) finished 4th in the
Mares’ Hurdle (Listed) (9 ran). Yanworth (Alan King/Aidan
Coleman) was pulled up before the last during the Rendlesham
Hurdle (Grade 2) (7 ran). Wilde Blue Yonder (Alan King/Tom Bellamy)
finished 2nd but Scorpion Sid (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) unseated this
rider at the third fence during the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (8 ran). Full Glass (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) was pulled up
during the Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) [3 miles & 58 yards] (13 ran). Ask Ben (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) finished 2nd in the Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 9 ran); next stop is
probably the Cheltenham Festival’s Albert Bartlett. Wincanton: Sceau Royal (Alan
King/Daryl Jacob) finished 2nd in the Kingwell
Hurdle (Grade 2) (5 ran). Grand Vision (Colin Tizzard/Harry
Kimber) finished 5th and Kerrow
(Alan King/Brendan Powell) finished 6th in the Handicap Chase [3 miles 1
furlong & 30 yards] (9 ran). Paul Nicholls had 8 winners across these three
meetings; a bumper day for the Ditcheat yard! And on Sunday: Huntingdon: Mr Pumblechook (Alan
King/Tom Cannon) finished 4th and Breaking
Waves (Noel
Williams/Harry Teal) won the NH Novices’
Hurdle (13 ran); Harry Teal replaced Leighton Aspell,
the latter having suffered a bad fall at Haydock
yesterday. Noel’s
7th winner of the
season. Stockburn (Alan King/Tom
Cannon) finished 4th in the Handicap Hurdle [3 miles 1 furlong & 10
yards] (10 ran). Sadly the Nick Gifford-trained Canyouringmeback suffered a fatal injury to his off-hind
during the course of a Handicap Chase at the track this afternoon. RIP Market Rasen: Floral Bouquet (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan)
finished 4th in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (6 ran). Dino Velvet (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 148 yards]
(11 ran); Alan’s 69th winner of the season and Wayne’s 64th winner of the season. Chosen Path (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson), a 4-9
shot, was beaten by Skipthecuddles (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) in the Novices’ Chase (2 ran); Graeme’s 17th
winner of the
season. Here are Monday’s runners of interest: Carlisle: 17:10 Thomas Macdonagh
(Jamie Snowden/Sam Twiston-Davies) – Standard Open
Flat Race Lingfield Park: 13:45 Richie Valentine (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan) & Arkyn (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Standard Open NH Flat Race (AW) 14:15 Alrightjack (Jamie
Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Maiden Hurdle 16:25 Lostnfound (Jamie
Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle Newcastle (AW): 18:00 Celtic Artisan (Rebecca Menzies/Cam
Hardie/EPDS Racing) – Handicap [1 mile & 5
yards] I’ve re-started my snood, because I wasn’t 100%
happy with the foundation chain row; due to lack of progress I only had to
take 3 rows undone and I’ve only managed to do two replacement rows. ‘Maddenitis’ makes me very unproductive!!! Following
his trip to New York, Richard Madden has returned to the UK and was spotted
filming in central London yesterday; more scenes for the Red Nose Day
Bodyguard spoof! From what I can
gather, Monday was day one of filming and yesterday day two. It’s been all quiet on the Madden-front
today; he seems to have gone to ground ... perhaps he’s travelled home to
visit his family in Scotland, for a little peace and quiet!!! |
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Friday
15 February 2019 |
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Here are today’s results for my runners of interest: Fakenham: Kayf Blanco (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) won the Handicap Chase
(Qualifier) [2 miles 5 furlongs & 44 yards] (6 ran); Graeme’s 16th
winner of the season. Sandown Park: Holbrook
Park (Neil King/Wayne Hutchinson) was pulled up and Salmanazar
(Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished 4th in the Handicap Chase (Qualifier) [3
miles & 37 yards] (12 ran) The Grade
2 Kingmaker Chase was won my Glen Forsa; he beat Kalashnikov by 19 lengths. And tomorrow’s runners of interest: Ascot: 13:00 Master Blueyes
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs & 58
yards]; he returns after 701 days on the injury sidelines having finished
lame in the 2017 Triumph Hurdle. 14:10 Smooth Stepper (Alex Hales/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Limited Handicap Chase (Listed) 14:45 Terrefort (Nicky
Henderson/Nico de Boinville)
– Denman Chase (Grade 2); he is due to have 3 rivals – Clan Des Obeaux, Ballyhill and Thomas
Patrick. 15:20 Lisp (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) &
William H Bonney (Alan King/Tom Cannon) – Betfair Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 152 yards] 16:30 Daydream Aulmes
(Graeme McPherson/Sam Twiston-Davies) & Another
Emotion (Warren Greatrex/Wayne Hutchinson) Handicap
Hurdle (Qualifier) [2 miles 7 furlongs & 118 yards] 17:00 Eyes Right (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Mares’ Standard Open Flat Race (Qualifier); she’s a daughter of Call Me A
Star. The Grade 1 Ascot Chase takes place at 15:55 and
features Aso, Charbel, Cyrname, Fox Norton, Politologue
and Waiting Patiently. Haydock Park: 13:25 Sensulano (Noel
Williams/Leighton Aspell) – Mares’ Hurdle (Listed) 13:55 Yanworth (Alan
King/Aidan Coleman) – Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2);
he returns after 338 days on the sidelines 14:25 Wilde Blue Yonder (Alan King/Tom Bellamy)
& Scorpion Sid (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Novices’ Limited Handicap
Chase 14:55 Full Glass (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) –
Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) [3 miles & 58 yards] 16:10 Ask Ben (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) Wincanton: 15:00 Sceau Royal (Alan
King/Daryl Jacob) – Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2) 16:05 Grand Vision (Colin Tizzard/Harry
Kimber) & Kerrow
(Alan King/Brendan Powell) – Handicap Chase [3 miles 1 furlong & 30
yards] And on Sunday: Huntingdon: 13:00 Mr Pumblechook
(Alan King/Tom Cannon) & Breaking Waves (Noel Williams/Leighton Aspell) – NH Novices’ Hurdle 16:10 Stockburn (Alan
King/Tom Cannon) – Handicap Hurdle [3 miles 1 furlong & 10 yards] Market Rasen: 14:45 Floral Bouquet (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 15:15 Dino Velvet (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 148 yards] 15:50 Chosen Path (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
& Skipthecuddles (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Novices’ Chase; I can guarantee a winner
in this race as they are the only two declared!!! I’ve no
plans for the weekend; hopefully I’ll be able to make some progress on the
snood which I’m currently crocheting ... provided I can drag myself away from
everything ‘Madden’!!! |
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Thursday
14 February 2019 |
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There are two results today, from Fontwell Park: Itsonlyrocknroll (Chris Gordon/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 6th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs & 49
yards] (12 ran). The Cull Bank (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Mares’ Novices’
Hurdle (Qualifier) (8 ran); an 8-1 winner! Alan’s 68th winner of the season and Wayne’s 63rd winner of the season. And three
runners of interest tomorrow: Fakenham: 15:20 Kayf Blanco (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) – Handicap Chase (Qualifier) [2 miles 5 furlongs & 44 yards] Sandown
Park: 16:05
Holbrook Park (Neil King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Salmanazar
(Alan King/Tom Cannon) – Handicap Chase (Qualifier) [3 miles & 37 yards] The Grade
2 Kingmaker Chase, which has been transferred from the equine flu abandoned
Warwick last weekend, will be run at 13:50 and features Dell Oro, Glen Forsa,
Kalashnikov and Dalila Du Seuil. I’m
finding it difficult to drag myself away from my regular evening pastime of
searching the web for all things ‘Madden’! Richard is currently in New York for
Fashion Week, so there are numerous photographs, selfies
and even videos available at present.
Come to think of it, blanket coverage has barely halted since the
first weekend in January when the Golden Globes took place!!! |
|
Wednesday
13 February 2019 |
|
Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest; two winners, but they were odds-on favourites: Plumpton: Colditz Castle (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Novices’ Hurdle (13 ran). Good Man Pat (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (3 ran); Alan’s 67th winner of the season and Wayne’s 62nd winner of the season. Musselburgh: Poperinghe Ginger (Graeme
McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 2nd in the Mares’
Maiden Hurdle (3 ran). Telson Barley (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) won the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (5 ran); Graeme’s 15th
winner of the
season. Graeme’s recent successes must
be a result of his gallops having been resurfaced! There are two runners of interest tomorrow; both
at Fontwell Park: 14:05 Itsonlyrocknroll
(Chris Gordon/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs &
49 yards] 15:45 The Cull Bank (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
– Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) Colin Tizzard’s horses
all have the green light to race with regards to the new flu jab rulings: Oh dear,
Pasha Kovalev has decided to quit Strictly Come
Dancing, in order to undertake new challenges! L |
|
Tuesday
12 February 2019 |
|
After yesterday’s deliberations, racing is back
on once again from tomorrow, although a number of rules have been put in
place regarding the horses which are permitted to run. Ascot’s nine race card on Saturday is excellent
value, with the Denman Chase and the Betfair Hurdle
having been added to proceedings; however, I understand that Native River
won’t be putting in an appearance and will now go straight to the Cheltenham
Gold Cup without another run: Here are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Plumpton: 14:10 Colditz Castle
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle 14:40 Good Man Pat (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase; he has just two rivals. Musselburgh: 14:20 Poperinghe Ginger
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Mares’ Maiden
Hurdle 16:55 Telson Barley
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Novices’ Handicap
Hurdle Sizing John, winner of the 2017 Cheltenham Gold
Cup, is out for the remainder of this season through injury once again: And it looks like Gordon Elliott might monopolise
the entries for this year’s Grand National … noooooooooooooooooooooooooo! |
|
Monday
11 February 2019 |
|
Well there’s not much going on at present, with the
lockdown on British racing since last Thursday due to the equine flu outbreak
… But, if you missed it, here is a link to an
interview with Choc Thornton, about Appletree Stud,
which appeared on Racing TV’s This Racing Life last week … and he’s being interviewed
by the lovely Tom Stanley too: https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/ondemand/26805 And, talking of lovely, I’ve not been idle whilst
the racing has been halted … although I seem to have lost the ability to
concentrate on anything else apart from the gorgeous Richard Madden … but,
come to think of it, that’s been happening since at least the turn of the
year! So, with this in mind, I took a little trip to
London yesterday, with the aim of seeing Richard arrive at the Film BAFTAs
where he was to be a presenter, along with his co-stars – Taron
Egerton and Jamie Bell – from the film Rocketman which is released in May. https://twitter.com/i/status/1094824028303441921 Having only tuned into the media circus at the
beginning of January, I wasn’t fully up to speed with the procedure for
obtaining red carpet access to these events until I researched this with a
view to attending the TV BAFTAs which are due to take place on 12 May. Evidently a ballot is run now, for priority
viewing, with the remainder of the tickets distributed on a first come, first
served basis on the morning of the day … at a mystery location advised at
10:00! So, fully armed with knowledge ahead of 12 May, I
thought my bases were covered … until I discovered a newspaper article late last
week stating that Richard would also be attending the Film BAFTAs, on Sunday
10 February at the Royal Albert Hall, as a presenter. I was still thinking ‘too late’ until I read a twitter
message on Saturday afternoon reminding everyone that the remaining Red
Carpet access wristbands would be distributed at a mystery location at 10:00
the following morning. It was at that
point that I knew I had to ‘seize the
day’ … no regrets and all that!
What is the worst that could happen?
I might fail but at least I’d tried! Having decided this may be my chance (hopefully
the first of many) to see Richard in the flesh, I was prepping until bedtime
… which turned out to be 00:15 on Sunday morning! It didn’t help that I was suffering from
nervous anxiety and awoke at 03:45, despite not needing to leave home until
08:15 to catch a train to London! I
cadged a lift to the station, as it was a damp morning. There was a slight hiccup at the station, when
over-running overnight maintenance meant I had to wait until 08:59 for a
train. Fortunately, it called at solely West Hampstead Thameslink
before arriving at St Pancras, so I got there at 09:23. The only clue to the mystery location was
that it would be in Central London, with the BAFTA website also stating it
could be within transport zones 1 or 2.
Also, with the earlier ballot for places on the steps leading to the
Hall entrance, the number of ‘on the
day’ availability was reduced. So, without knowledge, the logical stop off point
in my magical mystery tour was going to be Leicester Square, giving easy
access to Piccadilly Circus or Covent Garden if necessary; thus I caught a
train on the Piccadilly Line. As
promised, the message came through on twitter at 10:00 (also upon the BAFTA
website) stating the location as Royal Avenue near Sloane Square in
Chelsea. Needless to say, I wasn’t the only person who had
been loitering in the Leicester Square area, as there were a number of people
suddenly hurrying to catch a train from Piccadilly Circus! Once standing on the westbound platform of
the Piccadilly Line, I asked a group of them if they were hurrying to collect
a wristband for the BAFTA event … yes, they were. Having arrived at South Kensington, we had
to change onto the District/Circle Line for Sloane Square. I heard two or three announcements about
the increase in accidents within the pedestrian areas on the underground in
recent times … not surprising when there are crazy people rushing to get
somewhere, like ourselves at that moment in time! Anyway, we got out of the tube at Sloane Square
and the more active members of this quest were able to run to join the
queue. I wasn’t one of them … long
gone are the days, twenty years ago, when I gave all bar three or four young men
a good run for their money in the rush to get seats on Wimbledon’s old court
number two ahead of the 1999 quarter-final featuring Agassi vs. Kuerten. For the
record, it was a fabulous match, three sets played in the very best
sportsmanship! And I never knew there
were so many Brazilian fans living in London … but I digress. Evidently a fear had been expressed that
professional autograph hunters and some others may have received details of
the location before everyone else … and our fears were realised; the queue
stretched to the far end of Royal Avenue by the time I arrive. Others arrived after us too. The official number of ‘on the day’ wristbands was given as
475 … it was estimated that I was 620th in the queue. Those towards the rear like me were told to
go home, but few did! Anyway the security guy in charge of organising
the wristbands told those who’d stayed to listen, that there may be a chance
if we turned up in Queen’s Gate at 14:00; the wristband holders having been
told to report at 13:00. So I set off
on an initial reconnaissance walk through Chelsea, passing the Natural
History museum en route, before heading up Queen’s Gate, and past the
entrance to Prince Consort Road where preparations were being made. I then turned right to head along
Kensington Gore and back down Exhibition Road to reach the Cromwell Road once
more. I wasn’t feeling particularly hungry, but I
thought I ought to spend a penny and maybe buy a sandwich. I was thinking that I might find an M &
S but, having reached South Kensington underground station, my quest proved
impossible. I turned back, and spent a
penny at the Victoria and Albert Museum instead! I then headed back past the Natural History
Museum and up Queen’s Gate once more. A long queue had formed just prior to Prince
Consort Road, which I presumed to be wristband holders, so I loitered a few
yards behind this. In hindsight, it
may not have been the best thing to do as I think a fair number of
non-wristband holders had joined it too.
Anyway, the security guy promised to get the majority of people in but
the latecomers, which now included me (although I’d actually arrived at 13:20
so shouldn’t have been one), were told to go home. However, no-one left despite this!!! In the end, and facing an impasse, the security
guy relented and we were squeezed in at the back; forming the fifth row. There were a couple of rain showers whilst
we were waiting but, apart from that, it was a dry afternoon and
evening. I wasn’t cold either, as I’d
dressed for National Hunt winter horseracing – my black/grey/blue polo-neck
thermal t-shirt, turquoise thermal t-shirt, fleece lined purple thermal
t-shirt, fleece lined Prussian blue thermal t-shirt, turquoise NHS cardigan,
thermal 60 denier tights, black jeggings, grey
frill at the hem and front M&S skirt, turquoise fleece, purple gillet fleece, turquoise BHS padded jacket, socks and
black Danville Hotter boots. I also
wore my grey ladybird design fleece snood and a pair of purchased crocheted
mittens! And yes, I was hot when
running around earlier in the day, and weighed down too by the contents of my
handbag! As you may know, I find it
impossible to travel light. Anyway, the stars began to arrive just before
17:00 – I saw Richard E Grant, Steve Coogan, Brian
May and his wife Anita Dobson, Glenn Close, Rami Malek, Taron Egerton, Adam Driver (whose character I cannot forgive
for killing Han Solo in Star Wars), Gwilym Lee (ex Midsomer Murders), Andy Sirkis,
Luke Evans, Salma Hayek, Eleanor Tomlinson (her dad
is the actor and racecourse commentator Malcolm Tomlinson), Jessie Buckley,
Rachel Weisz, Margot Robbie, and, finally, Bradley
Cooper. There were lots of younger
stars who I didn’t recognise … it’s my age.
I also saw Edith Bowman, Dermot O’Leary, the BBC’s Entertainment
Correspondent Lizo Mzimba,
and Richard Arnold. The man himself, Richard Madden, walked along the
red carpet just before 18:10, having stopped off for official photos en
route: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TA2d3h-RpM It was wonderful to be so close; he’s absolutely
gorgeous, so beautiful, and such a nice guy too, and I’m thrilled to have
finally seen him in the flesh!
Being 5
rows back, I didn't manage to obtain a selfie or an
autograph on this occasion, although I couldn’t resist following his progress
along the red carpet, until weight of numbers prevented this and he
disappeared from view; I respect the man, so refuse to be loud or pushy (unlike
some red carpet fans, especially with those stars who weren’t as forthcoming
as Richard is). Anyway, small steps at a time, there's no harm in looking
forward in anticipation to a time when I might be lucky enough to say hello
and gain an autograph or a selfie with him. It's
amazing when you think of the entire size of the world and the history of
time itself that, through dedicated endeavours, one can be in the same place
at the same time with that special person. The Duke
and Duchess of Cambridge having also arrived, although they didn’t walk along
the beginning of the red carpet but joined it near the steps into the Hall
itself, we were permitted to leave at 19:10.
I thanked the security guy on the way out too! Anyway, I
headed back down Queen’s Gate, before turning right to head along to
Gloucester Road tube station as I deemed this to be the nearest one. There is a lift down to the platform; I’m
not keen on lifts, but never mind. I
then caught an eastbound train to King’s Cross before heading along to the Thameslink platform to catch a fast train back to St
Albans (second stop after West Hampstead Thameslink). I walked
home from the station, despite my feet being sore, and arrived back at 20:50,
just in time to watch the ‘delayed’
2-hour coverage of the BAFTAs! And I
survived the day on just a bowl of porridge … which is very fitting!!! Richard is
amazingly proficient at the Selfie … he’d have to
hold the camera for me, as I’d be shaking too much and it wouldn’t just be my
advanced age! https://twitter.com/i/status/1094659730830704640 And,
today, there is news that Richard will be reprising his Bodyguard role as David
Budd for Red Nose Day on 15 March … that’s Cheltenham Gold Cup Day! He should keep the natural white ‘Madden’ streak in his hair (that’s as
opposed to a Mallen streak) if he stars in
Bodyguard 2 should it happen.
I’m still
stiff and sore today, and one of my toes has turned blue – but that’s a small
price to pay for the pleasure of seeing Richard!!! However, I have been able to rest today, as
it wasn’t a work day!!! |
|
Wednesday
06 February 2019 |
|
Here are my runners of interest for tomorrow: Huntingdon: 13:30 Board Of Trade (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) – Novices’
Limited Handicap Chase 14:35 Master Blueyes
(Alan King/Tom Bellamy) & Thistle Do Nicely (Jamie Snowden/Tom
O’Brien/part owned by Apple Tree Stud) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs
& 137 yards] 15:45 Paddys Runner
(Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Handicap Hurdle
[3 miles 1 furlong & 10 yards] 16:20 Burren Walk (Alan
King/Aidan Coleman) – Mares’ Standard Open Flat Race (Qualifier) Doncaster: 13:40 Voie Dans Voie (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Handicap Chase (Qualifier) [2 miles 7 furlongs & 214 Yards] 14:10 My Story (Tom George/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) 14:45 Dans Le Vent
(Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) & Canelo (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) [3 miles & 84 yards] 15:20 Scarlet Dragon (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
– Novices’ Hurdle 15:55 Chosen Path (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) –
Novices’ Chase; he has just one rival, Topville
Ben! 16:30 Primogeniture (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock)
– Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Ffos Las: 13:50 Hollywood All Star (Graeme McPherson/Tom
Humphries/EPDS Racing) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 4 furlongs]. Meanwhile, JP McManus has purchased a number of
promising Cheltenham Festival hopefuls: |
|
Tuesday
05 February 2019 |
|
Here are my results for today’s runners of
interest at Market Rasen: Praeceps (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) won the Juvenile Hurdle
(8 ran); Alan’s 66th winner of the season and Wayne’s 61st winner of the season. The
winner was a 5-2 shot. Senior Citizen (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
finished 4th and Boldmere (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) won the NH Novices’ Hurdle (8 ran); Graeme’s 14th
winner of the
season. The winner was a 14-1 shot! My Charity (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods) finished 9th and Timeteo (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs & 139
yards] (12 ran). Follow The Swallow (Graeme McPherson/Tom
Humphries) finished 4th in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 7 furlongs& 191
yards] (10 ran). Notachance (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 16
yards] (11 ran). Today’s fixture at
Sedgefield was abandoned. There are no runners of interest tomorrow, at Ayr or Ludlow. Trainers will no longer be able to declare a
horse for two different races at the Cheltenham Festival: And Annie Power has produced her first foal; a
colt by Galileo: |
|
Monday
04 February 2019 |
|
Here are today’s results for my runners of
interest at Taunton: Midnight Chill (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan)
finished 2nd in the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (6 ran); sadly the grey
7-year-old Minellatillmorning, trained by Neil
Mulholland, lost his life as a result of a fall during this race. RIP L Cloud Hopper (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) finished
12th in the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (16 ran). Here are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Market Rasen: 13:50 Praeceps (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Juvenile Hurdle 14:55 Senior Citizen (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson)
& Boldmere (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – NH Novices’ Hurdle 15:25 My Charity (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) & Timeteo
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs & 139
yards] 16:00 Follow The Swallow (Graeme McPherson/Tom
Humphries) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 7 furlongs& 191 yards] 16:30 Notachance (Alan
King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 16 yards] Sedgefield: 14:40 Alrightjack
(Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Maiden Hurdle 15:45 Hogan’s Height (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan) – Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) There are
a couple of items of Cheltenham Festival news today: There are
to be a couple of changes to the running order at this year’s Cheltenham
Festival; the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle and the Grand
Annual Handicap Chase swap places, as do the Novices’ 4-miler for Amateur
Riders and the 2½ miles Novices’ Handicap Chase on Day 1. Surely that doesn’t negate the fact that the
final opportunity for the professional jockeys to ride a winner at the
Festival will still be in the Grand Annual ... so they will continue to go at
it ‘hammer and tongs’! It will just mean that even more people
will go home before the end of the day, resulting in the final race becoming
rather neglected ... Also, the second last fence on the Old Course is
going to be moved further away from the bend, thus giving the jockeys
additional time in which to get their mounts balanced before they jump it: The fence
move will be easy, as it’s been a temporary structure ever since it was moved
into the home straight a few years ago! |
|
Sunday
03 February 2019 |
|
RIP Special Tiara Owner Sally Rowley-Williams shares memories of
Special Tiara who was sadly lost at Leopardstown
yesterday: Alan King was forced to withdraw all of
yesterday’s entries … as the horseboxes were snowed-in at Barbury
Castle: With this
in mind, here are yesterday’s results from Sandown Park: Praeceps (Alan King/Wayne
Hutchinson) was a non-runner in the Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) Mulcahys Hill (Warren Greatrex/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Scilly
Isles Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (5 ran); the race was won by Defi Du Seuil who, on this
occasion, got the better of Lostintranslation. Full Glass
(Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) was a non-runner and so was Dans
Le Vent (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) in the Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3); the
ground was unsuitable for the latter. Ami Desbois (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods/EPDS Racing) finished 2nd in the Handicap Chase [3 miles & 37
yards] (16 ran). Buveur D’Air
was an emphatic winner of the Contenders’ Hurdle (Listed) (5 ran). Sadly, De Dollar Man lost his life during
the course of this race. RIP
RIP De Dollar Man (the
chestnut pictured centre frame) La Bague Au Roi won today’s Grade 1 Flogas
Novices’ Chase at Leopardstown: Noel Fehily has
suffered a set-back following the removal of his appendix a few weeks ago,
and despite having returned to action in the interim: Apple Tree Stud’s Made Of Talent was sold as a
broodmare at Tattersalls last Thursday; she was
purchased by Howson & Houldsworth
Bloodstock for £3,000. There are a couple of runners of interest at Taunton tomorrow, provided it passes a 07:30 inspection: 15:15 Midnight Chill (Jamie Snowden/Gavin
Sheehan) – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 16:45 Cloud Hopper (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) –
Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle I’ve begun
my next crochet project so, hopefully, that will be completed before the end
of this month. I’ve also
spent time watching Klondike, featuring the gorgeous Richard Madden as Bill
Haskell; it’s a mini-series, shot in 2013.
It’s the third time I’ve viewed it during the past 2-3 months! One can appreciate his natural curls in
this one!!!
|
|
Friday
01 February 2019 |
|
There are
still no results to report, as National Hunt racing was abandoned yesterday and
again today! However, Sandown Park is currently hopeful that racing can go ahead
tomorrow: 12:40 Praeceps (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle
(Qualifier) 14:25 Mulcahys Hill (Warren Greatrex/Wayne
Hutchinson) – Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase (Grade 1); he currently has four
rivals – Defi Du Seuil,
Dell Oro, Lostintranslation and Vinndication. 15:00 Full
Glass (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Dans Le
Vent (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) – Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) [2 miles 7
furlongs & 98 yards] 15:35 Ami Desbois (Graeme McPherson/Kielan
Woods/EPDS Racing) – Handicap Chase [3 miles & 37 yards] The
Contenders’ Hurdle (Listed) takes place at 13:50 and is due to feature Buveur D’Air, Vision Des Flos, De Dollar Man, Rayvin
Black and Roksana. We had
snow in Hertfordshire overnight, but it didn’t cause much disruption; the
pavements were either snowy or slushy this morning, so walking wasn’t a
problem. By the time I walked home
this evening, the majority of the pavements were clear ... on my side of the
road! |
