Weekend Round-Up

pippa666 ♦ May 26, 2019

It’s been a busy weekend all round but not just all about the racing … while Simon has been racing both days with Magellan & Lady Kyria, Phil has been with us at Hickstead with our eldest daughter competing in National Schools Arena Eventing, an enjoyable couple of days away. It still had a familiar feel to the waggon park though as parked up next to us was Mark Loughnane’s horsebox and Paul Webber’s was also spotted there too! Phil and Mark had plenty of time to talk racing while I ran around with kids and ponies, and his son was competing in the same class as Izzy.

Phil struggling to relax at Hickstead….🤣

Izzy did well with a 2nd place, a top ten Team result for her school and lots of valuable experience gained. We’re still on our way home having set off at 4am on Saturday morning and it’s safe to say we are all pretty shattered, ponies included! It’s a good 5.5 hour drive with a stop to eat.

Hickstead montage

Izzy & Freddie

Tomorrow we have December Second & Misu Bula at Huntingdon, and the consistent Mr Carbonator at Redcar. The bumper horse won well at Ayr and was a close up 6th in a Grade 1 at Punchestown latest – we’d be pretty disappointed if he doesn’t have another win next to his name tomorrow. This will hopefully tell Phil where he heads with him on the flat, a conditions event or a maiden and we’re excited to see him run again, he seems to have come out of his Irish trip well.

Misu Bula will need novice handicaps to be competitive but has shown some promise in her bumper runs and appears to really like jumping. Tommy rides both her & December Second, and is feeling better following his nasty fall at Hexham last week.

Misu Bula

Over at Redcar we would love to see Mr Carbonator get his head in front again after some recent placed efforts. The handicapper has give him a chance and Kevin Stott gets the leg up. He is best priced around 3rd in the betting at 7-1.

Phil has jocked up our young Apprentice Nick Barrat-Atkin on his first ride, he’s in at Ayr aboard Hard Times next week. Nick has been on the sidelines for several months following his bad leg beak and is understandably excited to get his first ride for us, he’s been working hard to get his weight down and has done extensive fittening work at Jack Berry house in the run up to his return to Green Oaks. Nick has ridden lots of pony racing winners and one of his favourite on our yard is Shine Baby Shine.