Absolutely thrilled with Duke Of Luckley yesterday emerging from the thick fog under a ‘never say die’ ride from Sean Bowen to get up on the line to win on chasing debut. None of us could see much either at the course or from home and I have to say I was very relieved when the course passed its’ Inspection as it’s a long way up to Catterick and I was keen to run them both.
Duke has had a good summer break and has done plenty of schooling over fences although it’s not always been foot perfect. But practice does indeed usually make perfect and Sean reported that he jumped very well indeed yesterday and we have to take his word for it! He said that Duke was flat out all the way and his jumping kept him in it but he will now need a step up in trip to make life easier for him. He’s still only 5 so we were all absolutely delighted and will hopefully have a lot of fun with him.
Forecast ran another belter in Catterick’s feature hurdle to finish a solid 3rd and give our Racing Club another good day out. Both horses are great this morning.
This morning we had a visit from Nigel McAllen, Granville Styler and Stuart & Lisa White and they watched some of the horses work including Pinnacle Peak, Spanish Present, Dreamsundermyfeet, Pattern Cutter, Back On The Lash, Zestful, Diamond Boy 3 year old, Enforcement, Spice Boy and Ballyvango. All the rest cantered.
Southwell today with two runners. Genovese runs in a National Hunt Race for Conditional and Amateur Jockeys and so it gives the opportunity for Harry Atkins, our Amateur, to have a ride on him. Life has been difficult for Genovese since winning on Racecourse debut as he’s now having to carry a 7lb penalty for that win. He pulled a bit too hard last time so he has a hood on today and it would be great if he could put in another solid run.
Blazing Court (Sean Bowen) makes his hurdling debut and has done plenty of schooling at home. I like to start horses off at Southwell as their hurdles are like baby fences and I think it gives horses confidence. He’ll be a chaser in time and is still a big baby but I’ve always liked him a lot and it will be good to see how he takes to obstacles today.