Days like yesterday are the days we all dream about and are what make jump racing so special. Jump racing is a huge family and no matter what anyone says there really is no place like Cheltenham. Even before the racing we were inundated with good luck messages and we arrived there very nervous with the lovely Brillare Momento a short priced favourite in the first race.
She’s didn’t give us a moment to worry about and won in good style keeping the dream alive for the long term aim which would be the David Nicholson Mares’ Race as long as she keeps improving. I couldn’t be more thrilled for her owners Ollie & Irene Ryan as they are huge supporters of the yard and Irene’s celebrations leading their horse into the Winners’ Enclosure at Jump Racing’s HQ are wonderful and show what owning a winner there really means. We have so much support too at our local track and I’ll never tire of the reception they give us there.
Our middle runners ran well too. Buckle Street had traffic problems but stayed on to finish 6th and Cottersrock ran a much improved race to finish not far behind him so very pleased with them both.
Thady Quil gave Ash Hark a lovely first ride over regulation fences and around Cheltenham and, although finishing last, he gave Ash a thrill and his owners a day they will never forget. Yes, it’s great to have winners, but his owners were determined to have a runner at Cheltenham and enjoyed the day from start to finish. Cheltenham look after their owners so well and they had a magical day.
Bobble Emerald was a bigger price than we thought he should be as he had won last time out and was in good form although I was worried the Handicapper had ruined his chances by putting him up 10lbs for that win. Harry Stock gave him a lovely ride from the front and, although we were helped by the loose horse interfering with the others more than us up the run in, he was going away again at the line and deserved to win. In doing so Bobble gave Harry his precious first Cheltenham winner on only his second ride (Cottersrock was his 1st ride) at the Course. A local lad and from a lovely family, it was no surprise to see plenty of supporters stay whilst the Stewards’ Enquiry was ongoing and a fantastic cheer when the result remained unaltered! Brilliant. Magical scenes again.
So Harry’s dad Chris and his Finnick Group Team are now busily working on replacing the Cheltenham Winners’ Board that they have made for us and which adorns the front of our yard….2 to add from yesterday making 19 Cheltenham Winners – wow!
Too many people to thank but we are so grateful for all the support and always overwhelmed by the messages from everyone. Brilliant. Thanks to my fabulous hard working team at home who I am so proud of. One couple in particular though is our Chairman Jon Hughes and wife Jack are very special people and my dream is to train them a Cheltenham winner some day.
Supper at The Hollow but not too late as Freddie & Harry were with us but good to refuel and thanks to Hugh Kelly for looking after us.
Busy this morning with more owners in and the South West Racing Club too so about 30 mouths to feed and thanks to Mary and Dave Cull for helping with the bacon sandwiches! More important people in our team.
Just two runners today now with Ballymountain Boy and Oscar World in the last two races under Andrew Tinkler. It would be wonderful if either of those managed to win. However they are both in competitive races and if they ran into a place I’d be thrilled.
Bring on day two at Cheltenham and follow us and join in with us on Twitter using our hashtag #BePartOfIt