I’d love to be able to say that I arranged for Mr Mafia, my youngest son Harry’s favourite horse, to win on his 9th birthday …! What a win, it was under a superb ride from our Champion Jockey Richard Johnson who put the race to bed down the far side and went on to win by 20 lengths. A shame for our injured Conditional Harry Stock who is off injured at the moment with broken ribs as he has such a great relationship with Mr Mafia.
Unfortunately owners Peter & Jane Boggis were unable to be there last night and runners at Southwell meant that I hardly saw Harry and missed both boys’ school play. However, as soon as Belinda’s phone regained signal in the interval some 45 minutes later, and rushed round to tell the boys the great news, I was well and truly back in the good books!
Mafia is a real favourite in the yard and amongst anyone who has anything to do with him and I’m sure he would be even without winning four hurdle races on the bounce for us last season. He’s always been rated lower over fences and hasn’t won for us in that sphere until last night and it was great to get his head back in front as he always tries so hard. He’s A1 this morning and Harry was out bright & early to see him before school with apples!
The other horses ran well – Gold Mountain probably needs stepping back up in trip whereas Bobble Emerald probably needs dropping back in trip again. Fairmount ran well, in a competitive race, for a long way but 18 months off the track eventually told and he tired on the final circuit. He should come on a lot from that. All of them seem good this morning.
Uttoxeter today with Primogeniture and Lord Condi. Primogeniture (Jason Dixon) runs in the first race and is back on the racecourse following a run in the Betfair Racing Welfare Charity Race at Newton Abbot at the beginning of the month where he finished 3rd with Jasmin Richards and gave her a day to remember forever. He seems in good heart but I know I’ve said that with him before and he can be frustrating although has won his fair share of prize money for us without managing to get his head in front.
The step up in trip for Lord Condi should suit and the good ground too. We are hoping for a return to the good form he showed last season when he won three races but he’s been running below that recently and we need him to bounce back. Leighton Aspell rides.