MAY 2019

What’s new this month?

04 May 2019 – Sandown Park Jump Finale Diary

Friday 24 May 2019

Sorry guys ... I’ve currently lost the plot with regard to my racing blog!!!

It’s the fault of Mr Madden I’m afraid ...

Friday 17 May 2019

Apologies ... keeping both of my blogs up to date is proving a struggle ... and Richard wins, hands down!

Here are today’s results from Aintree:

Floral Bouquet (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) finished 2nd and Peggies Venture (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) (12 ran).

Fidux (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) unseated three out during the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs] (7 ran).

Forecast (Martin Keighley/Richard Johnson) finished 2nd in the Handicap Hurdle [3 miles &149 yards] (7 ran).

And tomorrow’s runners of interest:

Bangor-on-Dee:

16:00 Stockburn (Alan King/Tom Cannon) – Novices’ Handicap Chase

17:10 Didonato (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ Intermediate Open NH Flat Race (Div I)

And on Sunday:

Market Rasen:

14:50 Newtown Boy (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Chase

15:25 Akarita Lights (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Maiden Hurdle

16:00 William H Bonney (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) & Back On The Lash (Martin Keighley/Richard Johnson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 4 furlongs & 139 yards]

Stratford:

16:10 Alexander The Grey (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Handicap Chase [2 miles & 213 yards]

16:45 Telson Barley (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) – Handicap Hurdle [3 miles 2 furlongs & 83 yards]

Wednesday 15 May 2019

One result from yesterday, at Southwell, and it was a winner:

Between The Waters (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) won the Handicap Chase [2 miles 4 furlongs & 62 yards] (9 ran); Jamie’s 4th winner of the season!

And two results to report today, Wednesday, from Newton Abbot:

14:10 Passing Call (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 4th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 2 furlongs & 110 yards] (13 ran).

14:45 Gold Mountain (Martin Keighley/Leighton Aspell) finished 5th in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 4 furlongs & 216 yards] (5 ran).

There are no runners of interest tomorrow (Thursday).

Sadly, there are two fatalities to report, the first from Kempton Park on Monday. Mrs Prowting’s Kootenay River was pulled up having lost his action during the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle event and the injury proved irreparable. This was the horse’s first run for Richard Phillips, having transferred from Alan King’s yard. RIP

The other is Hammersly Lake, trained by Charlie Longsdon, latterly. RIP

http://www.charlielongsdonracing.com/news/hammersly-lake-obituary/

It may not be good news for the racing industry in general, but I can’t say that I’ll miss dreary O’Leary and Gigginstown with the news that they will be winding down their racing operation over the coming years …

https://www.racingpost.com/news/gigginstown-shock/olearys-stun-jump-racing-world-with-plan-to-wind-down-gigginstown-operation/380741

Monday 13 May 2019

After a busy weekend, it’s catch up time again ...

Here are Saturday’s results for my runners of interest:

Haydock Park (Mixed card):

Double Treasure (Jamie Snowden/Max Kendrick) finished 8th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 6 furlongs & 177 yards] (9 ran).

Dino Velvet (Alan King/Adrian Heskin) finished 6th in the Swinton Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) [1 mile 7 furlongs & 144 yards] (17 ran).

Wilde Blue Yonder (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished 4th in the Intermediate Handicap Chase (8 ran).

Condolences to the connection of Arthington who went wrong during the Swinton Hurdle having sustained an injury which proved fatal.

RIP Arthington

Hexham:

Shantewe (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) won the Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race; Jamie’s 2nd winner of the season.

Warwick:

Arkyn (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 5th in the Novices’ Hurdle (8 ran).

Thebannerkingrebel (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) won the NH Maiden Hurdle (12 ran); Jamie’s 3rd winner of the season

Bobble Emerald (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) was pulled up during the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs] (12 ran).

Potterman (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs] (9 ran); Alan’s 4th winner of the season and Wayne’s 4th winner of the season.

The Jigger (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 12th in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (13 ran).

And Sunday’s results for my runners of interest:

Ludlow:

Back On The Lash (Martin Keighley/Richard Johnson) was a non-runner in the Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 169 yards]

Capital Force (Martin Keighley/Gavin Sheehan) won the Handicap Chase [1 mile 7 furlongs & 212 yards] (7 ran); Martin’s 2nd winner of the season.

Plumpton:

Sauchiehall Street (Noel Williams/Leighton Aspell) finished 4th in the Maiden Hurdle (12 ran).

Lyrical King (Jamie Snowden/Adrian Heskin) finished 2nd in the Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race (5 ran).

One runner of interest today, Monday, at Kempton Park:

Tiffin Top (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Novices’ Hurdle (4 ran).

And just one runner of interest tomorrow, Tuesday, at Southwell:

17:40 Between The Waters (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) – Handicap Chase [2 miles 4 furlongs & 62 yards]

There was a message on social media from Tizzard Racing to say that they are not holding their August Bank Holiday Open Day this year … they want to give their staff a break … and also the village a break from the traffic issues it creates!!!

Friday 10 May 2019

Here are tomorrow’s runners of interest:

Haydock Park (Mixed card):

14:00 Double Treasure (Jamie Snowden/Max Kendrick) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 6 furlongs & 177 yards]

15:10 Dino Velvet (Alan King/Adrian Heskin) – Swinton Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) [1 mile 7 furlongs & 144 yards]

17:25 Wilde Blue Yonder (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) – Intermediate Handicap Chase

Hexham:

17:35 Shantewe (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) – Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race

Warwick:

17:30 Arkyn (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Novices’ Hurdle

18:00 Thebannerkingrebel (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) – NH Maiden Hurdle

18:30 Bobble Emerald (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs]

19:30 Potterman (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs]

20:30 The Jigger (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Standard Open NH Flat Race

And on Sunday:

Ludlow:

15:40 Back On The Lash (Martin Keighley/Richard Johnson) – Handicap Hurdle [1 mile 7 furlongs & 169 yards]

16:15 Capital Force (Martin Keighley/Richard Johnson) – Handicap Chase [1 mile 7 furlongs & 212 yards]

Plumpton:

14:20 Sauchiehall Street (Noel Williams/Leighton Aspell) – Maiden Hurdle

17:45 Lyrical King (Jamie Snowden/Adrian Heskin) – Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race

Thursday 09 May 2019

Here are today’s results for my runners of interest:

Huntingdon:

World War (Martin Keighley/Leighton Aspell) finished 6th in the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (7 ran).

Lakeside Pearl (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) finished 4th in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (8 ran).

Samtara (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) finished last in the Maiden Open NH Flat Race (11 ran).

Worcester:

Anti Cool (Robin Dickin/Jack Quinlan) was pulled up during the Handicap Chase [2 miles & 110 yards] (8 ran).

Hotter Than Hell (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Mares’ Maiden Hurdle (Qualifier) (10 ran); Alan’s 3rd winner of the season and Wayne’s 3rd winner of the season.

Lord Condi (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) was pulled up and Board Of Trade (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 7 furlongs] (13 ran).

Enforcement (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 6th in the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (12 ran).

There’s National Hunt racing at Market Rasen tomorrow, but no runners of interest.

Wednesday 08 May 2019

I ran out of time yesterday evening to update my racing blog … no surprise there then! I went to bed at gone 00:30 this morning, having been working on my new Richard Madden-related web pages … so here is the catch-up for the past two days.

Here are yesterday’s results for my runners of interest at Exeter:

Giving Back (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 3rd in the Mares’ Maiden Hurdle (4 ran).

Mr Mafia (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) finished 5th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 25 yards] (8 ran).

Cloud Formation (Martin Keighley/Aidan Coleman) finished 9th in the Standard Open NH Flat Race (11 ran).

And today’s results too:

Newton Abbot:

Sixty’s Belle (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) won the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (10 ran); Alan’s 2nd winner of the season and also Wayne’s 2nd winner of the season.

Grey Diamond (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) fell during the Novices’ Hurdle (7 ran).

Fontwell Park:

Some Day Soon (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) won the Maiden Hurdle (7 ran); Jamie’s 1st winner of the season.

Our Three Sons (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) finished 5th in the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (8 ran).

And tomorrow’s runners of interest:

Huntingdon:

14:10 World War (Martin Keighley/Leighton Aspell) – Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

14:45 Lakeside Pearl (Jamie Snowden/Page Fuller) – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

16:55 Samtara (Martin Keighley/Conor Shoemark) – Maiden Open NH Flat Race

Worcester:

14:00 Anti Cool (Robin Dickin/Jack Quinlan) – Handicap Chase [2 miles & 110 yards]

16:15 Hotter Than Hell (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ Maiden Hurdle (Qualifier)

16:45 Lord Condi (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) & Board Of Trade (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles & 7 furlongs]

17:20 Enforcement (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

None at Wincanton …

Monday 06 May 2019

I’ve succumbed to my overwhelming emotions and have now created a separate section on my website for Richard Madden ... therefore this particular blog thread will become solely racing-related once more!

Here are today’s results for my runners of interest:

Warwick:

Smith’s Bay (Alan King/Wayne Hutchins) won and Easkey Lad (Noel Williams/Harry Teal) finished 6th in the Novices’ Hurdle (7 ran); Alan’s 1st winner of the season and Wayne’s 1st winner of the season.

Colditz Castle (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 6th in the NH Maiden Hurdle (9 ran).

Jaboticaba (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) finished 2nd in the Novices’ Handicap Chase

Telson Barley (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) won the Handicap Hurdle [3 miles 1 furlong] (11 ran); Graeme’s 1st winner of the season.

Kempton Park:

Tiffin Top (Alan King/Adrian Heskin) finished 2nd in the Novices’ Hurdle

Rebel Royal (Alan King/Tom Cannon) finished 6th in the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 5 furlongs] (8 ran).

Adrrastos (Alan King/Aidan Coleman) finished 4th in the Handicap Chase [2 miles 2 furlongs] (5 ran).

Sula Island (Alan King/Fergus Gregory) finished 3rd in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (4 ran).

And tomorrow’s runners of interest at Exeter:

17:20 Giving Back (Alan King/Wayne Hutchinson) – Mares’ Maiden Hurdle

18:20 Mr Mafia (Martin Keighley/Harry Stock) – Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 7 furlongs & 25 yards]

20:20 Cloud Formation (Martin Keighley/Aidan Coleman) – Standard Open NH Flat Race

I had plans for this Bank Holiday weekend ... Saturday’s were completed ... but yesterday and today I’ve been completely side-tracked by new web pages. There is so much to create and upload, going forward, with further news appearing on an almost daily basis too. And as for my mystery creative project ... I’ve set it up ready to go, but that’s it at the moment.

There are times, like this, when I wish I didn’t work full time ...

Saturday 04 May 2019

I’m back in harness today, National Hunt horseracing having taken a few days break after the 2018/2019 season finale last Saturday.

There are, however, two results to report from earlier in the week:

On Monday, 29 April, at Southwell:

Zorro’s Girl (Archie Watson/Hollie Doyle/Apple Tree Stud) finished 2nd in the Handicap [7 furlongs] (12 ran).

And on Thursday, 02 May, also at Southwell:

Zorro’s Girl (Archie Watson/Luke Morris/Apple Tree Stud) finished 5th in the Handicap [7 furlongs] (11 ran).

And, of course, Ruby Walsh retired with immediate effect earlier in the week ... following two Grade 1 wins at the Punchestown Festival!!!

Here are today’s results for my runners of interest, at Uttoxeter:

Derrick D’Anjou (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods) finished 4th in the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Ami Desbois (Graeme McPherson/Kielan Woods/EPDS Racing) finished 2nd and Ziga Boy (Alan King/Tom Bellamy) finished 10th in the Open Handicap Chase [3 miles and 2 yards]

Forecast (Martin Keighley/Richard Johnson) won the Handicap Hurdle [2 miles 3 furlongs & 207 yards] (7 ran); Martin’s 1st winner of the season.

Grange Rover (Jamie Snowden/Adrian Heskin) finished 8th in the Novices’ Handicap Chase (12 ran).

There is no National Hunt racing tomorrow.

And I’ve finished writing my Sandown Park diary ... although it is an abridged version rather than an extended one!

* * * * * * *

And news from ‘Madden World’:

Photo courtesy of Indiewire

Richard Madden featured in the Guardian’s Weekend Supplement today and here is a link to the online version ... it’s an interesting read, with nothing to shock an already well-informed admirer and supporter like myself!

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/may/04/richard-madden-bodyguard-rocketman-bullies-inner-fat-lad-miranda-sawyer

Or, let me put it this way – once upon a time ... 22 February to be precise, it all began with a man walking a mongrel dog named Charlie ...

Anyway, it is a concern to me that, since ‘officially’ moving to Los Angeles, Richard has encountered a severe problem with paparazzi photographers stalking his every move. In addition to earlier encounters, this week members of the paparazzi caught him jogging, walking, jogging again, shopping, jogging yet again, and walking; he’s getting fit ahead of his role in the film 1917 which has already begun shooting in the UK.

And, oh dear, I’ve just seen another set of paparazzi photos taken yesterday ... I can’t avoid seeing the photos whilst looking for official news, but would never dream of reposting them, unlike others who just cannot resist. L

Understandably he’s not amused by this turn of events. He really deserves some down-time, having been in the public glare for months – Bodyguard, Bodyguard publicity, Awards season, Rocketman publicity, more Bodyguard publicity relating to the Emmys which take place in September, etc, etc.

Hopefully we Brits will be more respectful when he arrives ahead of filming his part in 1917 ...

With Rocketman in mind, here are a couple of videos relating to Richard appearing in the US version of GQ:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1123226246123479040

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZXgAgvxwB4&feature=youtu.be

And a very recent interview via Indiewire:

https://www.indiewire.com/2019/05/richard-madden-bodyguard-netflix-emmy-1202130259/

Richard is due in New York tomorrow, Sunday, in connection with another Bodyguard screening in relation to the Emmys; Jed Mercurio, Keeley Hawes and Executive Producer Simon Heath are also due to attend.

The Met Ball takes place on Monday evening, also in New York, and he’s rumoured to be attending ... possibly dressed in pink!!!

This is good news for Richard, who is due to return to his drama college in July to receive an honorary degree:

Richard Madden to receive honorary degree from Royal Conservatoire this summer