One runner today at Warwick for Roger & Yvonne Allsop – “Samtara” runs in the wonderfully named “Wigley Group Thank You Key Workers Handicap Hurdle” over 2m 5f. Samtara ran well to finish 3rd over 2 miles last time at Lingfield and shouldn’t mind the soft ground. He will be partnered by Patrick Cowley who, whilst not based here anymore, comes in regularly to ride out and school and I’d not be surprised if he ran into a place.
Patrick also partnered Cul De Poule for Roger & Yvonne earlier in the week and he ran a blinder at Uttoxeter to finish 2nd at 20-1 over hurdles. He’s not the easiest to ride at home and Deb Butler does well on him but he loves his racing and I was thrilled that on his second run after nearly 800 days off the track he didn’t ‘bounce’. As long as we can keep him sound there will be more to come from him.
Milder this week although I’ve been reminded that 3 years ago the boys were off school as we were a few feet under snow and the day was spent sledging! As much as they are longing for that, I’m happy it’s not snowing this week – maybe for a couple of non racing days over Christmas!
Great to see Mike & Mella Wright here this morning and thanks very much for the goodies for all of the team. Mike & Mella often stay at Joe & Wendy McDonagh’s Coach & Horses pub in Longborough and we can’t wait for when we are all allowed to go to the pub as a whole team again. It’s been tough for publicans too and Wendy & Joe offer such a warm welcome so deserve lots of support.
Yesterday James Best & Kai Lenehan were in to ride work. Kai is based with Oliver Sherwood but has been coming in once a week and has his first ride for us tomorrow at Bangor on Enforcement for our Racing Club. We have one other runner but at Cheltenham with Sarasota Star who has won his last two hurdle races (both at Carlisle). He steps up in grade but has a featherweight and Rex Dingle, who won on him last time, takes off a further 3lbs. It will be great to have crowds back at Cheltenham albeit a hugely reduced crowd but a crowd nonetheless!