Cheltenham again and we have four runners today at our local track. Pinnacle Peak, last month’s winner, is our first runner in the opening Conditional Jockey’s hurdle and will be partnered by our Conditional, Harry Atkins. Part owner Rich Lloyd was in 1st lot to give him some polos and a good luck pep talk!
We are doubly represented in the Glenfarclas Cross Country race with two time cross country winner Back On The Lash (Sean Bowen) and also cross country debutant Debden Bank. Back On The Lash needs no introduction and, as long as the ground is more good to soft than soft, should run another huge race. It may be Debden Bank’s swan song today but we felt doing something different with him may spark some sort of revival – he certainly enjoyed schooling over the fences at Cheltenham recently but we know he’s miles out of the handicap. James Best can’t wait to ride him and, if it is his final run, he’ll make someone a brilliant team chaser and we’ll find a super home for him which Ernie, who looks after him, will vet before he goes!
Finally Redbridge Rambler scraped into the last race on the card for David Maughan and will be partnered by Adam Wedge. He’s the type of horse for us that suits Cheltenham and if he could run a big race and sneak into a place we’d be thrilled.
Yesterday at Market Rasen I was delighted to get black type with Found On for Ollie & Irene Ryan. What a mare she has been for us winning 8 times and whilst yesterday wasn’t a win, 2nd place was enough for her to earn her much deserved black type finishing behind a very smart rival that we knew we’d struggle to beat. She’s such a gutsy mare – Sean reported she hated the ground every step of the way so to run and jump like she did and then battle back again towards the line shows what a huge heart and fabulous attitude she has. She may have a break now and come back in the spring when we will hopefully ?? have better ground!
Brianna Rose jumped very well but got tired in the ground which was softer than ideal. At Taunton they had rain so it was also softer than ideal for the two there. Borderline ran a solid race but needs to drop back in trip and on better ground. Dreamsundermyfeet jumped really well and, again, will return on better ground.
Good luck to the Cheltenham 4!