JULY 2018

What’s new this month?

xxx –

Monday 30 July 2018
Here are today’s results for my runners of interest at Newton Abbot: Instant Karma (Jamie Snowden/Sean Bowen) refused to race in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 2 furlongs & 110 yards] (6 ran). Filemon (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) unseated in the Novices’ Handicap Chase (6 ran). There were two additional runners of interest today ... Ayr: Tyrell (LA Mullaney/Jason Hart/formerly owned by Apple Tree Stud) finished 3rd in a Handicap [2 miles 1 furlong & 105 yards] (8 ran). Meanwhile, at Galway, Miles To Memphis finished 10th in a Handicap [2 miles & 179 yards] (20 ran). Here are tomorrow’s runners of interest: Perth: 20:30 Between The Waters (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 4 furlongs & 20 yards] Worcester: 20:50 Carntop (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Maiden Hurdle There are only 5 horses declared for the Pershore Plum Festival Land O’plums Handicap Chase; it’s Worcester’s feature race of the season. I notice that JP McManus’ Winter Escape has left Alan King’s yard to move to Ireland; he is now trained by Aidan Anthony Howard ... who he? Winter Escape runs in a Beginners’ Chase at Galway tomorrow. I read (in a Weekender tweet) that Trevor Hemmings has decided to move Mount Mews and Cloudy Dream away from Ruth Jefferson’s yard, and the owners of Cyrus Darius have transferred their horse to Colin Tizzard. Apple Tree Stud is seeking staff to work every other weekend and on selected sales days: https://mobile.twitter.com/Choc_Thornton/status/1023876947779231744/photo/1
Sunday 29 July 2018
I’ve been out and about, in Essex, walking an alpaca at Butlers Farm. This little lady is Lemon Puff, aka Puffy. I didn’t get to meet my adopted alpaca, Fab, as she’s been sold since I booked my Alpaca Experience back in May. It happens sometimes; three of the sponsored alpacas at Abbots View Farm have been sold recently. But I loved Lemon Puff anyway! Today must have been the soggiest day of July in the Herts/Essex area ... probably the soggiest day for two or three months in fact! It does have an upside however; the accumulated dust and cobwebs of many weeks have now been washed off my car. It’s been very quiet on the racing front this week, but there is one result to report from Worcester on Thursday: Jamacho (Charlie Longsdon/Brian Hughes/raised by Apple Tree Stud) finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles] (7 ran). Meanwhile on the flat, yesterday, Pantomine finished 5th of 12 in a 2 mile+ Handicap at Newcastle and Enforcement finished 6th of 7 in a Gentleman Amateurs’ Handicap at Salisbury run over 1 mile. Wayne Hutchinson had a couple of rides at Uttoxeter today: Ventura Magic (Neil King) finished 2nd in the Juvenile Hurdle (8 ran). Princeton Royale (Neil King) finished 4th in the Open Handicap Chase [2 miles 4 furlongs] (5 ran). Stalwart, Dell’ Arca also won a Handicap Hurdle at the Staffordshire course today. And tomorrow, at Newton Abbot: 14:40 Instant Karma (Jamie Snowden/Sean Bowen) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 2 furlongs & 110 yards] 16:10 Filemon (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Novices’ Handicap Chase My next website project is to draft a diary about today’s Alpaca Experience; I completed the draft of my Newmarket diary yesterday.
Tuesday 24 July 2018
One result to report today, from Ffos Las: Two Weeks (Hector Crouch/Clive Cox/Apple Tree Stud) finished 2nd in a Handicap (6 ran). There are no runners of interest tomorrow. There was a winner for Apple Tree Stud yesterday however ... Choc won the dads’ race at William’s Sports Day; he said he’d achieved a life-long ambition! Jennie and Choc visited Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter on Saturday to get their wedding rings ... so I guess the big event is imminent. Get well soon Bryony Frost; the injury she sustained a few weeks ago will keep her on the sidelines for longer than expected: http://www.attheraces.com/news/2018/July/24/bryony-frost-set-for-lengthy-absence I’ve been out and about today, with my friend Sandra; we visited Newmarket, specifically the National Stud and the Palace House Museum.
National Stud: one of the stallions - Marcel	National Stud: a filly foal; she is lovely
Palace House Museum: ROR exhibit Purple Moon	Palace House Museum: ROR exhibit Starluck
Along with Purple Moon and Starluck, Our Vic is also presently at Palace House, as is a horse named Mulk who was retired due to injury. Sire De Grugy returned home to the Moores last Thursday, so we missed him ... I also missed RUK’s Tom Stanley, who visited Palace House a week ago today: https://mobile.twitter.com/_tomstanley_/status/1019210586649919488/photo/1 But the good news is that Tom’s visit is being broadcast as part of this week’s This Racing Life on RUK. Following today’s excursion, I now have another diary to write!!!
Sunday 22 July 2018
Here are today’s results for my runners of interest: Newton Abbot: Beneficial Joe (Graeme McPherson/Ciaran Gethings) was pulled up and Our Reward (Jamie Snowden/Jack Quinlan/EPDS Racing) finished 5th in the Handicap Chase [3 miles 1 furlong & 170 yards] (7 ran). Cracker Factory (Alan King/Daryl Jacob) won the Juvenile Hurdle by 30 lengths (5 ran); Alan’s 18th winner of the season. Stratford-Upon-Avon: Havisham (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 2nd and Another Drama (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) finished last in the Novices’ Hurdle (7 ran). Primogeniture (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 5th but Fleeting Visit (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) fell at the last flight when in 3rd position in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 2 furlongs & 148 yards] (9 ran). Stynes (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods/EPDS Racing) was a non-runner in the Handicap Chase [2 miles & 213 yards]; he was discovered to have a bit of swelling in a leg this morning. Second Time Around (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th and Mr Mafia (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 3rd in the Handicap Hurdle [3 miles 2 furlongs & 83 yards] (7 ran). Alexander The Grey (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods] finished 2nd in the Novices’ Handicap Chase (6 ran). Drift (Noel Williams/Gavin Sheehan) finished 6th and Mayllan (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (8 ran). Ordo Ab Chao, currently trained by Olly Murphy, ran in the Selling Hurdle at 15:20; he finished 5th of 6. There’s National Hunt racing at Cartmel tomorrow but no runners of interest; and none to report on the flat either, as Celtic Artisan is still waiting for the abscess in one of his feet to burst! Having been working very hard on my website this past week, I’ve now completed all of the race notes for my Cheltenham diaries. So I just need to collate these with the existing text, then proof-read and upload them. I also still need to proof-read and upload my Royal Ascot diary.
Saturday 21 July 2018
Apologies for neglecting my blogs … I’ve been concentrating late into the evenings on my diaries instead. Progress has been good. J Here are Wednesday’s results for my runners of interest: Uttoxeter: Lady Vitesse (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 10th in the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (12 ran). Forecast (Martin Keighley/Tom Bellamy) finished 7th and Mahlermade (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 70 yards] Lingfield Park: Ardamir (Laura Mongan/JP Fahy/formerly owned by Apple Tree Stud) finished 2nd in the Handicap [2 miles & 68 yards] (3 ran). EPDS Racing’s Celtic Artisan was supposed to run yesterday (Friday), at Nottingham; however on Thursday he was found to have pus in his foot. Here are the results for my runners of interest today, Saturday: Cartmel: Fact Of The Matter (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 4^th in the Novices’ Hurdle (5 ran). Market Rasen: Our Three Sons (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) finished 3^rd in the Novices’ Handicap Chase (8 ran); Winner Massagot, who is now trained by Dan Skelton, finished a disappointing 7^th, last of the finishers. It was Summer Plate day at the Lincolnshire track and the race was won by the Peter Bowen-trained More Buck’s ridden by son Sean. It was the 6^th time that the trainer had won the race. However, it wasn’t all smiles for the yard, with Wadsworth Court taking a fatal fall in the same race. RIP L It is reported that two mares collapsed and died following the Mares’ Maiden hurdle race at Worcester on Tuesday evening; Port Royale and Haventthefroggiest. RIP. L There are many runners of interest tomorrow, Sunday: Newton Abbot: 15:35 Beneficial Joe (Graeme McPherson/Ciaran Gethings) & Our Reward (Jamie Snowden/Jack Quinlan/EPDS Racing) – Handicap Chase [3 miles 1 furlong & 170 yards] 16:10 Cracker Factory (Alan King/Daryl Jacob) – Juvenile Hurdle Stratford-Upon-Avon: 14:10 Havisham (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) & Another Drama (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle 14:45 Primogeniture (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) & Fleeting Visit (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 2 furlongs & 148 yards] 15:55 Stynes (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods/EPDS Racing) – Handicap Chase [2 miles & 213 yards] 16:30 Second Time Around (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Mr Mafia (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Handicap Hurdle [3 miles 2 furlongs & 83 yards] 17:05 Alexander The Grey (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods] – Novices’ Handicap Chase 17:40 Drift (Noel Williams/Gavin Sheehan) & Mayllan (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race Ordo Ab Chao runs in the Selling Hurdle at 15:20; he’s currently trained by Olly Murphy. We still haven’t had any rain at home, despite there being threats last Friday and also yesterday evening. There’s no water left in the two water-butts and used water is now being saved for the plants. A box tree has already been lost, along with a rhododendron, and other plants are on the brink of dying too. The lawn is yellow and crispy but, as soon as it does rain, that will recover very quickly. Whoever thought that too much dry and hot weather could be tedious? It will soon be as bad as the summer drought of 1976!
Tuesday 17 July 2018
Here are today’s results for my runners of interest at Worcester: Comanche Chieftain (Neil King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Novices’ Handicap Chase (6 ran). Chimes Of Dylan (Neil King/Wayne Hutchinson) was a non-runner in the Novices’ Chase Beneagles (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won and Lord Topper (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) was a non-runner in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs] (7 ran). Passing Call (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Mares’ Maiden Hurdle (12 ran). The Devils Drop (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Novices’ Hurdle (5 ran). So that’s Alan King’s 15th, 16th and 17th winner of the season and Wayne Hutchinson’s 10th, 11th and 12th winner of the season. There are four runners of interest tomorrow: Uttoxeter: 13:50 Lady Vitesse (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 15:50 Forecast (Martin Keighley/Tom Bellamy) & Mahlermade (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 70 yards] Lingfield Park: 15:40 Ardamir (Laura Mongan/JP Fahy/formerly owned by Apple Tree Stud) – Handicap [2 miles & 68 yards] Choc has tweeted a photo of Wolfie and their dog Moose: https://mobile.twitter.com/Choc_Thornton/status/1018383694011289600/photo/1 Kincora Fort has been retired, having re-injured a tendon on his latest outing over fences at Newbury; Londonia is on the injury sidelines, again a tendon issue, as is Cecilator.
Sunday 15 July 2018
Here are Saturday’s results for my runners of interest, at Newton Abbot: The Unit (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Novices’ Chase (4 ran). Lord Topper (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) won the Lady Riders’ Handicap Hurdle (7 ran); Jamie’s 6th winner of the season. Bay Fortuna (M Usher/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 7th and Flow From Devon (Jamie Snowden/Tom O’Brien) was pulled up in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs & 122 yards] (17 ran). And here are Sunday’s results for my runners of interest: Perth: Single Estate (S Waugh/Callum Bewley/raised by Apple Tree Stud) finished 5th in the Novices’ Hurdle (8 ran). Southwell: Generous Chief (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 3rd in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 7 furlongs & 209 yards] (13 ran). Havisham (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) was a non-runner in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs & 62 yards] Charlie Cook (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 4th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 209 yards] (10 ran). Jessica Rabbit (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods/EPDS Racing) finished 6th in the Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (9 ran). Stratford-Upon-Avon: Enforcement (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) finished 6th in the Juvenile Hurdle (8 ran). Melody Of Scotland (Alan King/Barry Geraghty) finished 2rd and Regulation (Neil King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 70 yards] (6 ran). There are no National Hunt fixtures tomorrow, Monday. There was news today that Derby winner Masar will be out of action for the remainder of this season, but will return to racing as a 4-year-old. Patrick Mullins has set a new record for amateur riders by winning his 546th race today; the previous record was held by Ted Walsh. It’s been a quiet weekend, spent watching the Wimbledon tennis and drafting further notes for my Cheltenham Festival Day 2 diary; I can now move on to the next day. So I’ve got five days still to do, plus the three completed ones (1 x Royal Ascot, 2 x Cheltenham Festival) to proof and upload. I’ve also, sort of, taught myself to crochet doubles and trebles, and granny squares. Although I think I still need to hone my technique, being a knitter at heart! I’m not quite sure why it’s taken me so long to create a crocheted fabric, as I’ve been able to create chains for many, many years!
Saturday 14 July 2018
Happy Birthday Choc 40 years old today!
Friday 13 July 2018
Here is a video of Choc being interviewed about the Apple Tree purchases at Tattersalls earlier in the week J ... I miss seeing him at the races L https://twitter.com/i/status/1017329902687793152 And Wolfie pictured with the Galileo fillies as they settle into their new home in the Cotswolds: https://twitter.com/Choc_Thornton/status/1017828213521813505 I wonder what their pet names will be. Personally, I’d name the Galileo/Timbukto filly Sahara Moon – not only because of the marking on her face, but because of Galileo’s interest in astronomy! The Galileo/Luas Line filly is a little more difficult; the Luas Line is a Tram Line/Light Railway in Dublin, but a number of the suitable station names thereon are unavailable as horse names, because they are already in use! Perhaps Trinity Bluebell, which is an amalgamation of two station names! This is Thursday’s result for my one runner of interest, at Doncaster: Tyrell (LA Mullaney/Miss Becky Smith/formerly owned by Apple Tree Stud) fnished 4th in the Handicap for Amateur Riders [2 miles 109 yards] (7 ran). Here are Friday’s results for my runners of interest: Ascot: Sam Missile (Jamie Osborne/Nicola Currie/formerly owned by Apple Tree Stud) finished last in the Amateur Riders’ Handicap [1 mile 6 furlongs & 34 yards] (8 ran). Ffos Las: Hidden Cargo (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 9th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs] (13 ran). And here are Saturday’s runners of interest, at Newton Abbot: 14:20 The Unit (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Chase 16:00 Lord Topper (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) – Lady Riders’ Handicap Hurdle 17:35 Bay Fortuna (M Usher/Wayne Hutchinson) & Flow From Devon (Jamie Snowden/Tom O’Brien) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs & 122 yards] Despite it being mid-summer, there are numerous runners of interest on Sunday: Perth: 14:00 Single Estate (S Waugh/Callum Bewley/raised by Apple Tree Stud) – Novices’ Hurdle Southwell: 14:20 Generous Chief (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 7 furlongs & 209 yards] 16:30 Havisham (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs & 62 yards] 17:00 Charlie Cook (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 209 yards] 17:35 Jessica Rabbit (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods/EPDS Racing) – Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race Stratford-Upon-Avon: 14:10 Enforcement (Martin Keighley/Andrew Tinkler) – Juvenile Hurdle 16:20 Melody Of Scotland (Alan King/Barry Geraghty) & Regulation (Neil King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 70 yards]
Wednesday 11 July 2018
RIP Finian’s Oscar Yesterday it was announced that Finian’s Oscar, trained by Colin Tizzard, had passed away following complications resulting from colic surgery. He was only six years old and still learning his trade as a chaser; very sad. RIP. http://www.attheraces.com/news/2018/July/10/death-announced-of-top-class-chaser-finian%E2%80%99s-oscar Sky has won the media rights to broadcast racing from Ascot: http://www.attheraces.com/news/2018/July/10/ascot-signs-media-rights-deal-with-sky-sports-racing ATR used to hold the rights, until RUK won them latterly, and next year they will be heading to Sky which, of course, is going to be the rebranded ATR! Unfortunately it also means that the coverage will be inundated with adverts ... and will be more costly to view too, being part of Sky Sports. Here are yesterday’s results for my runners of interest at Uttoxeter: Alexander The Grey (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 6th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs] (12 ran). Morning Herald (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished last, Undisputed (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th, Visage Blanc (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 5th and Cautorillo (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 2nd in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (9 ran). Instant Karma (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 10th and Third Estate (Neil King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 7th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 70 yards] (11 ran). And here are today’s results for my runners of interest at Kempton Park: Cliffs Of Dover (Paul Nicholls/Megan Nicholls) finished 8th, Ardamir (JP Fahy/Laura Mongan/formerly owned by Apple Tree Stud) finished 2nd and Paddys Runner (Graeme McPherson/Liam Keniry) finished 7th in the Handicap [1 mile 7 furlongs & 218 yards] (11 ran); Ardamir lost by just a head today ... one day he will win a race, hopefully! There is one runner of interest tomorrow, at Doncaster: 14:15 Tyrell (LA Mullaney/Miss Becky Smith/formerly owned by Apple Tree Stud) – Handicap for Amateur Riders [2 miles 109 yards] Apple Tree Stud has purchased two fillies by Galileo, to race and then become brood mares for the stud; Lot 189 is out of Timbuktu and cost 220,000 guineas and Lot 190 is out of Luas Line and cost 150,000 guineas: https://mobile.twitter.com/Tattersalls1766/status/1017069780619202560/photo/1 It’s a shame that Federer lost his 5-set quarter-final at Wimbledon today, against Kevin Anderson ... but, fortunately, Nadal survived a very difficult 5-set match against Del Potro. That leaves Nadal to play Djokovic and Kevin Anderson to play John Isner in Friday’s semi-finals. In an ideal world, I’d like to see Nadal play Isner in Sunday’s final; I don’t like Djokovic. I have a horrible feeling that Serena Williams will win the ladies’ singles title ... again ... how annoying! I’m feeling far better today than I have for the past few days. I woke yesterday morning, at 04:30, feeling rough; I spent the remainder of the night in an armchair with a fan blowing full blast in my face to cool me down!
Monday 09 July 2018
And here are yesterday’s results for my runners of interest, at Market Rasen: Between The Waters (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 7th in the Novices’ Handicap Chase (13 ran); I recall seeing a tweet from Jamie which said the start had been questionable, leaving his horse with no chance whatsoever! The Tourard Man (Alan King/Kevin Dowling) finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 16 yards] (8 ran). Leapt (Graeme McPherson/Miss Lilly Pinchin/EPDS Racing) finished 3rd in the Handicap Hurdle (for Lady Amateur Riders) (8 ran). Here are today’s results for my runners of interest, at Worcester: Follow The Swallow (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) was pulled up in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 7 furlongs] (13 ran). Lord Condi (Martin Keighley/Aidan Coleman) finished 3rd in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (5 ran). Ask Robin (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 4th in the Novices’ Hurdle (5 ran). Crushed (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 8th and Jamacho (Charlie Longsdon/Brian Hughes/raised by Apple Tree Stud) finished 2nd in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles] (9 ran). And here are tomorrow’s runners of interest at Uttoxeter: 19:00 Alexander The Grey (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs] 20:30 Morning Herald (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) & Undisputed (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson) & Visage Blanc (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) & Cautorillo (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle; there are 9 declared with, coincidently, 4 of interest ... which suggests there aren’t enough Mares’ Handicap Hurdles run over 2½ miles at this time of the year! 21:00 Instant Karma (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) & Third Estate (Neil King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 70 yards] The Eventers beat the National Hunt jockeys in the relay race held at the Barbury Castle Horse Trials this weekend. The heat finally got to me yesterday, ruining my appetite and making me feel unwell ... and that’s despite the fact I didn’t even venture out of the house at the weekend, apart from watering a number of plants on Saturday evening. My diary notes came to an abrupt halt Sunday lunchtime and I subsequently retired to my bedroom, to sleep. I value my weekends, so it’s particularly galling when I’m laid low on a Saturday or a Sunday. And I still feel under the weather today. L
Saturday 07 July 2018
Here is yesterday’s result for my sole runner of interest, at Newton Abbot: Mr Mafia (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) won the Handicap Hurdle [3 miles 2 furlongs & 105 yards] (9 ran); Martin’s 8th winner of the season. And here are tomorrow’s runners of interest, at Market Rasen: 15:20 Between The Waters (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – Novices’ Handicap Chase 16:55 The Tourard Man (Alan King/Kevin Dowling) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 16 yards] 17:15 Leapt (Graeme McPherson/Miss Lilly Pinchin/EPDS Racing) – Handicap Hurdle (for Lady Amateur Riders) The heat is making me feel lethargic ... I was up at 05:30 this morning, hoping to get an early start on the race notes for my Cheltenham Day 1 diary. I’ve now finished those, but failed miserably in my attempt to commence Day 2. L
Wednesday 04 July 2018
Here are today’s results for my runners of interest at Worcester: Shady Glen (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 6th in the Handicap Chase [2 miles & 7 furlongs] (14 ran). Skin Deep (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (9 ran); Alan’s 14th winner of the season and Wayne’s 9th winner of the season Melody Of Scotland (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) and Forecast (Martin Keighley/Tom Bellamy) were both non-runners in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs] Dr Dunraven (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 3rd in the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (11 ran). There are no runners of interest tomorrow. The 2019 Cheltenham Festival ticket prices increase mid-morning this coming Friday ... so to take advantage of the ‘cheapest’ in all enclosures, you need to order before the deadline. Although I think it’s mean to increase the prices so soon; they used to postpone the first price hike until the end of the Showcase meeting in October. It is reported that Brian Barr’s Byron Blue suffered a fatal injury when falling at Stratford yesterday. RIP https://mobile.twitter.com/BrianBarrRacing/status/1014232590767845377/photo/1 I’m not in the best of moods today ... I went to the local hospital this morning, only to discover that my longed-for physiotherapy appointment had been cancelled due to an ‘administration’ error. It wasn’t my fault, and it wasn’t the hospital’s fault; it transpires that a third party ... who shall remain nameless ... pressed the wrong button when the reminder phone call came through late last week. So, as a result, my appointment was given to someone else. L I’ve had to book another appointment ... but the earliest they have available is in mid-August. Having been suffering from a pelvis issue since the beginning of January, I finally got a referral in mid-April. I then had to wait for 6 weeks for someone to call me, before I was given a phone number of make what should have been today’s appointment. And now it’s going to be around another six weeks before I can get any help. Grrrrrrrrr Not surprisingly, I’m not in the best frame of mind to draft any race notes this evening ... especially as, next up, is the 4-miler ... although it does feature the fabulous Ms Parfois!
Tuesday 03 July 2018
Here are today’s results for my runners of interest at Stratford-Upon-Avon: Carntop (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) finished 2nd and Fleeting Visit (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 3rd in the Maiden Hurdle (11 ran). Pearls Legend (John Spearing/Nico de Boinville) was a non-runner Handicap Chase [2 miles & 213 yards] Our Three Sons (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) finished 2nd in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 3 furlongs & 98 yards] (6 ran). And there are a number of runners of interest tomorrow, at Worcester: 14:40 Shady Glen (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Handicap Chase [2 miles & 7 furlongs] 15:10 Skin Deep (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race 15:40 Melody Of Scotland (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Forecast (Martin Keighley/Tom Bellamy) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs] 17:40 Dr Dunraven (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Here are Galactic Power (GP) and Dontminddboys (Casper), pictured at the end of their summer holiday: https://mobile.twitter.com/claireydickin/status/1014132183584378880/photo/1 Having found it difficult on Saturday to find the motivation to commence my outstanding diary notes, I’ve spent time working on them on Sunday, yesterday evening and this evening too!
Monday 02 July 2018
Here is today’s result for my runner of interest at Wolverhampton: Celtic Artisan (Rebecca Menzies/Miss Ella McCain/EPDS Racing) finished 2nd in the Amateur Riders’ Handicap Div I [1 mile & 142 yards] (13 ran). There are four runners of interest tomorrow, at Stratford-Upon-Avon: 18:30 Carntop (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) & Fleeting Visit (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Maiden Hurdle 19:30 Pearls Legend (John Spearing/Nico de Boinville) – Handicap Chase [2 miles & 213 yards] 20:30 Our Three Sons (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 3 furlongs & 98 yards] Roger Federer’s tennis shoes, designed for this year’s Wimbledon – depicting the Shard, Tower Bridge, the Gerkin and the 8 Wimbledon titles he has won: https://mobile.twitter.com/josemorgado/status/1013777960288116737/photo/1 Dodging Bullets is looking very satisfied with life, in retirement: https://mobile.twitter.com/92Lucysharp/status/1013685378388299776/photo/1 Celtic Artisan before today’s race at Wolverhampton: https://mobile.twitter.com/jumpingjersey/status/1013821728399806464/photo/1 And afterwards … LOL: https://mobile.twitter.com/RebeccaEMenzies/status/1013825223890792449/photo/1 A photo snapped by Belinda Keighley, of Oh Crick and John Nicholson, son of David, enjoying a morning hack: https://mobile.twitter.com/belindakeighley/status/1013693974240952320/photo/1 And last but not least, young Wolfie Thornton: https://mobile.twitter.com/Choc_Thornton/status/1013474443899867137/photo/1
Sunday 01 July 2018
I finally caught up with the Flying Scotsman early yesterday; she made a pit-stop in St Albans City station to pick up passengers ahead of a trip to York. There are a couple of results from yesterday, at Newcastle: Sam Missile (Jamie Osborne/Dougie Costello/formerly owned by Apple Tree Stud) finished 10th in the Northumberland Vase [2 miles & 56 yards] (19 ran). Top Tug (Alan King/Graham Lee) finished 15th in the Northumberland Plate [2 miles & 56 yards] (20 ran). Meanwhile at York, the jump jockeys took part in the ‘Jump Jockeys’ Nunthorpe Stakes run over 5 furlongs ... it was won by Graham Lee aboard Fendale; that doesn’t sound fair to me, seeing as Graham gave up riding over jumps a number of years ago and has been plying his trade on the flat ever since ... apart from the odd NH bumper. Tom Scudamore rode the runner-up. And there are three results to report today, from Cartmel: Our Reward (Jamie Snowden/Jack Quinlan/EPDS Racing) finished 2nd in the Handicap Chase [3 miles 1 furlong & 107 yards] Shantou Village (Neil Mulholland/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 5 furlongs & 34 yards] Serpico (Graeme McPherson/Richard Johnson) finished 6th in the Handicap Hurdle [3 miles 1 furlong & 83 yards] There were two fatalities at Cartmel – One For The Guv’nr (Miss Martin) fell and Adam Du Breteau (Jonjo O’Neill) was pulled up injured. Meanwhile, at Uttoxeter, The Romford Pele (Tom George) and Another Hero (Jonjo O’Neill) lost their lives; they didn’t fall but were pulled up. Two horses died at Lingfield yesterday, one sustained an injury and fell (Cutthechat), whilst the other was brought down in the same incident (Estupendo); they were only two-year-olds. RIP Jockey Kieran Shoemark is reported to have broken 12 ribs and suffered a punctured lung as a result of the Lingfield incident. I don’t think there should be jumps racing when the weather is too hot, and the ground so dry. Just one runner of interest tomorrow, at Wolverhampton: 17:15 Celtic Artisan (Rebecca Menzies/Miss Ella McCain/EPDS Racing) – Amateur Riders’ Handicap Div I [1 mile & 142 yards]; as the name suggests, Ella is Donald McCain’s daughter. Following yesterday’s early morning excursion, I returned home at 08:15, did my washing, before reading the newspaper cover to cover, I then had my hair cut, which was followed by a late lunch. I tuned into the racing, only to discover the feature races had already been run, despite it being not much later than 14:00 ... what is that all about? As it was a warm day and I was feeling lethargic, I continued to watch the racing, whilst also reading a Felix Francis thriller (Triple Crown). Later on, I watched a number of old Escape to the Country episodes before turning in for the evening. It had been my plan to begin writing the race notes for my outstanding diaries yesterday so, having procrastinated for the entire day, I finally began this task at 06:30 this morning! I’m not quite sure how much time I’ll be able to spend on my diaries during the next couple of weeks, as I’m bound to be glued to the Wimbledon tennis! Andy Murray has now withdrawn from the tournament, as he doesn’t feel ready to play matches comprising of five sets, having returned from injury only recently.