Horses just cantering today but a few extra people in to ride out with Abi Stock and Beth Whittle here to ride out an early lot in the dark and also young Harry Greasby, on half term, to ride out all morning and come racing too.
We have two runners at Southwell and both have been disappointing so we are hoping that they both improve considerably on their recent efforts. Primogeniture runs in the first race – a Novices’ Handicap Chase over 2 miles, his debut over fences. Harry Stock has done plenty of schooling on him at home and he’s jumped well but we have been scratching our heads about him as he’s not been finishing his races. Frustrating and hopefully fences bring what we see at home out in him.
Twentyoneblackjack looked fantastic in the paddock last time at Worcester but ran too badly to be true. We’ve put blinkers on today and he needs to show far more than he did then – an imposing horse but we need the penny to drop.
Dr Dunraven meanwhile goes to Doncaster Sales where he is Lot 339. We’ll be sorry to see him go as he’s a popular horse in the yard who has done his owners and our Racing Club (who he’s been leased to this summer) proud with two very exciting wins and plenty of places too. We’d happily have him back to train so do think of us if you are the lucky bidder! If not, we hope he goes to a lovely home and they have lots of fun with him.
Freddie & I walked around Cheltenham yesterday and the course was as good as I’ve seen it in October. I was very impressed with the covering of grass and Simon Claisse, Ben Hastie and their team should be very proud of the job they have done. We cannot wait to get back there tomorrow.