Saturday at Thirsk & Market Rasen

We had a solid run from Dr Irv yesterday – he looked all over the winner in the final furlong but just got run out of it in the last 100 yards. The ground looked a little on the dead side for him and its looking as though he can get his head in front before the end of the season with luck – the handicapper has had him in his grip all summer.  He is pictured here before the race, photo by Megan Dent who also kindly sent me the Ice bucket challenge photos you will see lower down the page!

Wolverhampton wasn’t our most successful evening last night but both horses okay so we will look forward to Thirsk &  Market Rasen now  with 5 time winner in 2013, Just Paul at the former and our two NH runners for the day, Factor Fifty and Silver Flora, a debutante filly for us in the Mares Bumper at the Lincolnshire Track.

Just Paul takes on 12 other runners in the class 4 event, and he has the excellent services of Graham Lee in the saddle. Like Dr Irv, he has been struggling a little off his high handicap mark this season, paying for an excellent 2013,  but he definately has the ability to win off this mark and he looks a big price at 12-1.

‘Frankie’ runs for the Topspec Partnership and he will appreciate this quick ground as he steps up in trip for the first time to 2m 5f in the novices hurdle. He is second in the betting behind the ‘on fire’ combination of Jonjo and McCoy, but we  are sure Frankie and Adam will give them a decent run for their money, he ran a good race on his bumper debut here when 2nd and staying on all the way to the line. Clear round first and foremost is whats required!

Silver Flora is a smart grey mare by the good staying influence ‘Alflora’ and she may lack the necessary experience to get involved behind some mares that have already won and been 2nd so a nice introduction is what we are looking for later this evening, a place is a bonus.

The ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ is everywhere at the moment and Kate Walton (orange and white silks) was the first of our team to be brave and get wet! I took these stills off her facebook video – closely followed by Phil’s Dad Geoffrey Kirby in a very fetching outfit – sure he’ll love to see this go ‘live’ on our news page!!

Kate then challenged everyone at the yard to do the same, and i am pleased to bring you these photos of them all getting a good soaking. I am relieved to see Kyle getting wet on the 2nd one as he seems to be escaping most cunningly to start with.

I am not quite sure why we haven’t seen Phil in one of these photos yet but I can be sure someone will throw a bucket of water over him very soon, he wont be getting away with it for long.

 

 

….and lastly – what on earth is going on here? Adam and Simon appear to be having a ‘moment’ – comforting each other before the big freeze! Thanks to Megan for these fab photos.