A very early start today as we head up to Newcastle with two runners in the All Weather Newcomers Bumper, their first race.
Ten Past Midnight makes his debut for us for the Serendipity Syndicate and one of their owners, Michael Chitty, has made his way to Newcastle today. Ten Past Midnight is by Midnight Legend, a horse I know well from my days with The Duke and his dam Thornton Alice won at Newcastle over hurdles in heavy ground. He’s a popular horse in the yard and I’m sure anything he does in a bumper will be a bonus as we’ll no doubt see the best of him when he goes jumping. Patrick Cowley rides and takes 5lbs off.
Black Panther is in the same race and whilst I hate running horses against each other they both need a run and I’m sure if one beat the other to win we’d be absolutely delighted! The ground has been too soft for both on the turf and I just hope they’ve not made the all weather surface too deep and slow as I think it will suit others more if they have. Black Panther has pleased us in all he has done at home and is bred very nicely but as we all know but until they have actually run they are a complete unknown. We’ll therefore know far more about them both after 1pm today! Champion Jockey Richard Johnson rides Black Panther.
A busy morning back at home with farrier Nick Partridge, physio Maggie Turner and the vet in too and with us gone early it was over to Hollie and my fantastic team at home to hold the fort there.