Yesterday at Leicester saw Roger & Yvonne Allsop’s Cul De Poule return after 800 days off the track in a rather warm novice hurdle! Although we all love winners, sometimes it’s a huge achievement to get a horse that has been off a long time back to the track. He’s a difficult ride at home and Deb Butler does a great job on him and it does help that he’s a lovely kind horse! He wouldn’t be everybody’s ride though! The ground yesterday wouldn’t have been ideal but as he’s had leg trouble the last thing we wanted to do was get him jarred up. He could do with further than 2 miles too but again after a long lay off a horse wants to enjoy his run and not finish legless.
Yes the bare form shows he was beaten about 25 lengths but he jumped well and showed he still retains ability and a willing attitude and we’ll look for a winnable opportunity in a month or so. He’s A1 today.
No runners today but a work morning with Warren Marston in to help the team. We worked Sarasota Star, Dreamsundermyfeet, City Never Sleeps, Mozzaro, Debden Bank, Ten Past Midnight and Kazontherazz. Most of the rest cantered and it’s great to see them all looking and feeling so well. Physio Maggie Turner was in yesterday and thought they all look a picture which is always great to hear. We also had a visit from vet Jeremy Swan and Equine Dentist Tom Siddall – although we are in Lockdown, these vital services are still obviously allowed to come and help the horses remain in top condition. We are fortunate that it is relatively easy to be Covid safe here with lots of open space but we obviously the safety of our team is the main priority in these challenging times.
One runner tomorrow – Cut & Run at Warwick under Jonathan Burke with James Best still out injured. He hopes to be back riding on Thursday – these jump jockeys are so tough.