Morning at the gallops

Video to follow…

It was a raw morning on the gallops and with work being done on the 7f gallop, the horses could only go up the 3f and join the gallop half way up and do a 4f . They didn’t seem to mind and I took some photos and videos which are just uploading. Phil was riding Wetherby entry Aniknam who was bouncing along, and Sarah on tomorrow’s runner, Lady Buttons who has a real look of eagles about her.

 

Also today one of our friends, show rider Jen Cowan came to ride out, she is pictured below on red,  riding our own Call it On (Colin)  who is almost ready to make a reappearance. His main target is a 3m 3f Hunter Chase at the beginning of February ( and ultimately the Aintree Foxhunters if all goes to plan) but he will have a run in about ten days first at either Musselburgh or Market Rasen, he’s been off for 14 months with a tendon injury but it’s all good so  far.

Here’s another horse whose had plenty of time off with tendon trouble – Agglestone Rock is making Phil sit tight every day, he’s as fresh as they come but luckily Phil has stayed on him so far. We would love to get him back to the races.

We have a massive 7 runners tomorrow and will be dissapointed if we don’t get a winner or two. So much to write about i hardly know where to start but a good place is the horse GEORDAN MURPHY at Wolverhampton in Pam and Geoff Kirby’s orange and white silks. Phil’s Mum, Pam has been incredibly brave battling cancer for 14 months and with everything now looking good this is her first trip out of Ireland since Platinum ran in the Cesarawich. Nothing would be better than a winner to celebrate- this is the geldings first run for us since Phil claimed him from Kempton a couple of weeks ago. He’s a very nice straightforward horse who does everything well, hopefully he is in the same form as he was when winning last time, and although this is back in a handicap so it won’t be so easy for him.  Travelling with him is the 4 year old O’ly

Roccs owned by The Grech family – he is a proper AW horse who has shown winning form at the track, its his first run for 140 days but he is fresh and well.

Racing Post says: Oly´Roccs: Sole win from eight starts gained over 8.6f here in April and creditable second over C&D when last seen in August; back from a break today but still unexposed at middle distances and one to consider.  

A bit further North we have Cathedral in the 1pm at Leceister, this 2m novice has cut up a bit and as a result he is second favourite. Sam Twiston Davies rides but he will have to give a career best by some way if he is to get near the Pipe trained Bidourey who is on a four timer and looks pretty special. Cathedral is a nice young horse who will be going novice handicapping when he gets a mark, this is his second start. The same route applies for Danehill Flyer (Adam Nicol) and Cavalieri

(James Reveley)  at Catterick – ‘Danny’ goes for the second time over hurdles, Cavalieri the third. The former needs to settle much better than last time to get home, and Catterick  flat winner Cavalieri made progress from his first to second hurdles start, hopefully we will see further improvement again tomorrow.

Lady Buttons will be having her third start over hurdles tomorrow, and its always an extra nerve wracking day when she is running as its no secret that the whole team holds her in high regard. This is without doubt a better than average Catterick novice but hopefully the weight difference will give her a good chance against the favourite – not many can carry a double penalty and win a novice. Adam does all the  schooling on her at home and thinks she feels back to her best – time will tell tomorrow!

Our day at Catterick is rounded off by two runners in the bumper – Ross Turner having his second race for us as stable amateur – a young jockey to watch and a hard working member of the team back at home too. Ross rides Master Moon who

had a problem on his last start but if this was a one-off he should run well.  ‘Dibble Bridge’ carries the pale blue and orange colours of Colin Fletcher, one of our longest standing Owners  and we would love him to make a good debut as Colin is currently in hospital having had an operation. We all wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him at the races very soon. A good run from ‘Dibble’ would be a boost for him, and Adam Nicol rides tomorrow. Dibble was named after our home yard by Colin and he bought him off one of our other original owners, Gareth Fawcett. Dibble is a half brother to northern flat winner, Krupskaya.