Work morning and Mark Boothright here again bright and early to watch first lot working up the grass gallop. We worked Sarasota Star, Matravers, Somewhere To Be, Solstice Star, Big Nasty, Finnick Glory, Debden Bank, Robsam (newly named Mahler 3 year old gelding), Cut & Run, Mr Mafia, Reve, Buckle Street and Young Phoenix. All the rest cantered.
We are represented at Lingfield Park and Huntingdon today. Our first runner is Pomme De Nuit at Lingfield and is in a Novices’ Hurdle after two runs in bumpers. It’s a tough race and she is a big outsider but she has to start somewhere, is only 5 years old and is bred to improve with age. We also run Forecast at Lingfield and both are partnered by Conor Shoemark and he gets on particularly well with Forecast who has put in two solid runs since a wind operation and should be competitive again today.
It’s the one race of the season that Flat Jockeys ride over Hurdles in at Lingfield and it’s a race that we’ve had a runner in twice and won both times. Tom Queally was in the saddle on each occasion, his first winner was on Solstice Star and then the following year on Bobble Emerald and he made all both times. I don’t think he’s had another ride over hurdles so retains his 100% strike rate! Both horses incidentally went on to win at Cheltenham too!
Cotswold Prince makes his much awaited racecourse debut at Huntingdon and has to have some of the most patient owners in the game! By Elzaam he’s bred to run on the flat however we eventually dismissed that idea during the summer for the timebeing, even after he was entered up as his work riders felt he was more of a bumper horse. Having never taken a lame step or been under the weather, as soon as he was declared to run last month he didn’t eat up overnight and a blood test confirmed he wasn’t 100% so he was pulled out – frustrating but that’s why the information from the team at home is so important on their well being and eating habits. They know them so well and it’s important to check up on them if anything out of character happens.
Harry Stock partners him today and he’s looked after by Jasmin Richards who was nervous even before she left the yard this morning as she rides him out every day and thinks the world of him. Hopefully he’ll put in a bold show and reward his owners’ patience.