TROPICIAL FONTWELL HAS EIGHT ON THE CARD

Fontwell park racecourse, scheduled their 'Ladies Day' and hoped to be engulfed in late summer sun, but rain,thunderstorms and humitity threw itself at the West Sussex racecourse.
A good eight race card, and the ladies of West Sussex were at their best
Early season, and trainers put their charges into action. Some for the first time,some who have started the National Hunt game a little earlier. But no horse looked poor in coat or stature.
The ground at the Sussex course was good to soft, with all jockeys coming into the weighting room saying this was perfect jumping ground. Which is needed for this tight,figure of eight course.

The first race, a 2 m 1 f handicap hurdle for three year olds saw eight runners going to post. The favourite 9/4 shot Royal skies,ridden by possible contender for the vacant jockeys championship Aidan Coleman.Could only manage a 6 lenghths fourth,beaten by Gary Moore trained Royal Battalion.

Royal Battalion

Trainer Gary Moore,whose family is a very strong addition to the racing industry,not only in training,but with both sons and daughters strong in the saddle in both discipline's. Gave Jockey Tom Cannon the leg up on this four year old gelding by See the Stars. And duly went up the Fontwell hill a length and a half to claim the £2477.00 prize money.
Cannon came off saying the horse had improved well from his run at Worcester over the same distance finishing third in July.

Royal Battalion

No Nation Hunt race meeting would be complete without the addition to the popular Yellow and green colours of John.P. McManus. And so be it at Fontwell.
Trainer Jonjo O'Neill,who trains at the home of the jumps game at Cheltenham sent to post I'dliketheoption, for this 2 m 1 f novices hurdle. Top weight Antony again trained by the formidable Gary Moore found his top weight of 11st 5 lbs just too much for the inclined finish and a 1 lbs difference between horses found this four year old by Presenting get up to win by a neck.

I'dliketheoption

Jockey Richie McLeron said the ground was perfect to race on. A good covering of grass, and the earlier rain made this perfect going. and also making his poor performance at Bangor last month even more of a mystery to the McManus team







The first race over fences for the afternoon, The Aviator bar and resturant Bongnor Regis Handicap Steeplechase over  2m 4 f saw only four runners go to post. The rails not really making their minds up who the favorite for the race was, it was Marie Des Anges Trained by Anthony Honyball and ridden by amatuer Mr D Noonan who rode his 7 lbs clain well off the handicap weight of 11st 11 lbs.
With two upsides coming to the second last. Formal Bid ridden by another claimer James Banks took to the ground, this left the seven year old well clear of rival Try Catch Me by a distance, who tried but could'nt.
Jockey Mr Noonan, who had a fair good set of point to point rides and winners last season has no plans at present to take the step foward into the professional market, but would not put it out of the question for the future.

Marie Des Angles

The name of Scudamore and pipe has been senominous within the jumps fixture throughout the years. Now the next generation, David and Tom work together to hopefully dominate the winter racing game.

 For 'N' Against went to post  for the  2m 4 f handicap hurdle, and from the home turn looked like a true contender for a big race within the season.The 3/1 shot, six year old won by a comfortable distance from the Aidan Cloeman ridden Skint, and looks a true contender. The horse not having an outing since a second place run at Exeter in March looked to take his break well.

Tom Scudamore and For'N'Against

Sylvan Legend, trained in Umpley Stoke by Neil Mulholland  and ridden by Mark Quinlan went to post with nine other contenders  for the second of the two races over the fences in the afternoon.

The seven year old by Midnight Legend off the weight of  10 st 1 lbs got up in the final 100 yrd to beat The wee midget by one and a half lengths, making his 3 lb drop in weight from his previuos Newton Abbott fourth tell.

Quinlan, who is in the yard of Mulholland most days, reports all horses well and an increase in contenders coming out from the yard, which can only be a blessing for both trainer and jockey in the current climate.

Sylvan Legend

Sylvan Legend

Two divisions of the £50 Welcome bonus at Racebets.com Handicap Hurdle over 2 m 3 f saw Gary Moore trainer, take his tally of the afternnoon to three winners.

Osgood off top weight 11 st 12 lbs and the price of 20/1 took division 1 by three lenghts. Jockey George Gorman making his 10 lbs claim beat the handicapper, holding on from the second last hurdle.

Osgood

Shalianzi

Shalianzi, gave the Horsham based trainer his third winner of the afteroon as the five year old gelding took  division two of the handicap hurdle by 16 lengths at the price of  10/1.

The horses last run was on the flat at Windsor in July and ridden by none other than recently retired Richard Hughes finishing on that occasion fifth of a six runner field.

The eighth race of the afternoon, a 2 m 1 f national hnt flat race went to Nicely Indeed. Ridden by 7 lbs claimer Mikey Hamill and trained in Lambourn by Seamus Durack. The five year old running his first race under rules previuosly running point to points, last time unseating his rider. Hamill taking his mount up in the closing stages to beat 11/10 favorite Amirr by three lengths.

Nicely Indeed

Images of the afternoon can be seen at

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WINDSOR EVENING RACING 9TH AUGUST 2015

Indian Affair and Ciaran McKee

Six more races at Windsor, after Severn the day before, showed that the Berkshire racecourse is a serious contender at giving the racing enthusiast what they want.
The evening kicked off with a six furlong apprentice handicap. Ten claimers took their steeds to post, 2/1 favorite Silvia Dancer trained by Chris Wall and ridden by 5 lbs claimer Samuel Clarke, was narrowly beaten a short head by top weight Indian Affair Trained across the River Severn by Milton Bradley and ridden by another 5 lbs claimer Ciaran McKee.
McKee riding his 5 lbs weight allowance well, got this five year old by Sleeping Indian, who idled once getting to the front up on  line making good his fourth place effort nearer to home in Chepstow eight days ago.

Indian Affair, Silvala Dance

Jockey George Baker, who had spent the afternoon on the golf course. Made good his evenings work by getting on board Roger Charlton trained Projection and beating even money favorite Noble peace by three lengths. 

This lightly raced two year old bay colt by Acclamation ran over the same six furlongs at the back end of June. Finishing eighth of an eleven runner field, but made good his experience  by taking home £2279 in this six furlong maiden, making the syndicate from the Royal Ascot Racing Club happy to be at their next door neighbors meeting.

George Baker

Projection

Another maiden race and another narrowly beaten favorite by a lightly raced three year old. Outrage ridden by Luke Morris and trained in Lambourn by Daniel Kubler, got up to beat 13/8 Fav Regal Miss by a short head, in this four runner, five furlong dash.

Outrage,Regal Miss

Richard Hannon, who has been slightly quite at Windsor since Richard Hughes hung up his boots, placed two runners in this five runner nursery handicap. Possible new stable jockey Pat Dobbs took the ride on this improving two year old colt Dubai's Secret, and duly beat 15/8 favorite New Caledonia by again a short margin, making good his earlier victory at Chepstow at the beginning of July, and then not being disgraced in a nursery event at Glorious Goodwood.

The main race of the evening was the £5'824 Unibet offer Daily trainer/Jockey specials handicap Stakes, over one mile two furlongs.

This three year old event saw six go to post. But it was bottom weight Bishop's Leap who took the spoils for the Ambassador of Windsor racecourse, trainer Andrew Balding. Ridden by David Probert this chestnut gelding by Major Gadeaux out of a Fairy King mare, again beat the favorite Jeremy Noseda trained Smartie Artie, three and a half lengths in third spot. And made good his Newbury victory eighteen days previous.

The last race of the evening a handicap over the Windsor mile, finally saw the favorite take the race.

9/4 shot Fleckerl, trained in Lambourn by William Muir, and a comfortable winner of a six runner handicap at Lingfield nine days earlier, got up to beat bottom weight Devious Spirit by a neck, despite carrying top weight of 10 st.

The trainer got his own back on the handicapper though,by employing the services of Severn pound claimer Rowan Scott who rode this Danehill Dance five year old for a second time, and obviously has struck a cord with the gelding by guiding him home for his only two wins.

Images from the evenings racing can be seen

WWW.MJAYPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK

And next the jumps game with regular reports from Fontwell Park

SUNNY SUPER SUNDAY AT ROYAL WINDSOR

The last Sunday meeting at Windsor racecourse  this summer, saw a Severn race card in glorious sunshine.

Billed as a family fun-day, the card offered  mediocre  racing to attract the converted and not so to the sport of kings.
 From fun fairs to mascot racing, the well attended meet had it all. Close finishes and fancied runners winning. There was much to cheer about.







The last evening meeting ended with an amateur riders race, so it was only appropriate to open with the same. The Betfair novice flat amateur riders handicap stakes.
Some of the runners from the last amateur riders race went to post again, having had Severn days away. This included the winner last Monday Moojaned.

Moojaned

This David Evans charge went off the 10/11 favorite,but this bay gelding 6 lbs worse off from his last victory found two of his competitors from last time  just to good.

The Cornishcowboy ridden by Mr B. James and trained by John Ryan in Newmarket duly romped home by six lengths from Nebula Storm.

The Cornishcowboy

The next two races belonged to the young horses. A six furlong maiden auction Stakes saw thirteen two year olds go to post, again the victor coming from the home of British flat racing Newmarket.

Mr Wizard by Major Cadeaux and costing 11'900 Gns as a yearling, making his debut at the races seeing off by two lengths his rival This is for you. Mr Wizard trained by Nick Littmoden and ridden by John Egan made good work of his price of 16/1.

Mr Wizard

Lord Kelvin

Another maiden, this time over the longer trip of 1 mile for the two year olds, saw the race go to Lambourn. Charles Hills whose stable is well in form at present sent Lord Kelvin to post after his debut at Sandown.

This Iffraaj colt out of a group three winning mare beat Dave Simcock trained King of Dreams who was 8/15 favorite by two lengths, making these two maiden races a bookies hooray for the afternoon.

The two main races of the afternoon were a six furlongs fillies handicap and a mile three year old handicap. Both races giving a £5'064 prize to the winner.

The fillies handicap going to Henry Candy trained Cape Xenia ridden by Dane O'Neil. Again beating the favorite in Mehronissa by 3/4 of a length, and backing up her Leicester win eighteen days ago.

Cape Xenia

The mile three year old event again went to the local horses. Franco's Secret trained by Peter Hedger ridden by Charles Bishop, beat it's rivals in a photo finish. Willie Haggas trained favorite Wekeyll finishing disappointingly last of Severn, again making the bookies cry hallelujah on a Sunday as the 13/3 favorite went down.

Franco's Secret

   

Lambourn again hailed the home for the next winner of the afternoon. Seebeedee trained by Harry Dunlop,ridden by Sam Hitchcott. The filly took home the Jamie Beighton 40th birthday celebration handicap stakes over 1 m 2 f.
Again a beaten favorite, this three year old filly beat her rivals by three lengths to take home the spoils.

Seebeedee

The last race of the afternoon was a 5 furlong dash. And this race did belong to the favorite. Marco Botti in Newmarket sent out Kassbaan with 3 lbs claimer Marc Monaghan on board to take the race by 3/4 of a length. This course and distance 11/4 winner made good work of his allowance and good form throughout the season.

Kassbaan

Racing continues at the Berkshire summer venue in the shape of the usual Monday evening meet. And both this and today's images of the meet can be seen at.

WWW.MJAYPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK

MONDAY EVENING RACING REPORT ROYAL WINDSOR RACECOURSE

As the long summer evenings start to draw in. Windsor racecourse enters it's final stretch for the season
With the absence of Windsor favorite Richard Hughes, who bowed out from the saddle at Goodwood over the weekend, and Frankie Dettori stuck in traffic (as was yours truly) and not able to take the ride on  Al Shaqab owned, Richard Hannon trained second favorite Al Khateya in the opener. A two year old,six furlong maiden. Stylistic, trained by Luke Dace. Ridden by Charles Bishop won by a short margin from William Haggas's Electra Voice. In fact the first three home over the 5-1 price made this race one for the bookies.
Alas the hold up on the roads not only cost Dettori a ride, but also the lack of photography in this race. As all i could do was to listen as i pulled into the Windsor car park.

Know all set up, the second race of the evening a five furlong dash for three year olds, this saw Magical Daze, trained in Lambourn by Sylvester Kirk and ridden by Dane O'Neil go to post 9/4 favorite.

Magical Daze

This three year old filly, By showcasing out of a Bertonlini mare and carrying 9 st 7 lbs was driven along by O'Neil in the final furlong to win by a nose from Mick Channon trained King crimson, backing up her previous victory at Kempton in June.

King Crimson

The main events of the evening the £7250 The bet now with Ladbrokes app handicap stakes over the Windsor mile, saw Newmarket trainer Roger Varian saddle 5/4 favorite American Artist. This chestnut colt by dual group one winner Danehill Dancer, ran only twelve days previous when carrying a lesser weight of  8 st 11 lbs at Sandown winning that mile event by 3/4 of a length.
Off now a weight of 9 st 3 lbs from that victory, this in form three year old held on well to beat Red Warrior by a length.

American Artist

Dettori know in his place in the weighing room, and on board another Al Shaqab racing- Richard Hannon trained favorite Aldayha.

Aldayha

Went to post for another £7250 handicap. This time over the sharp six furlongs.

Lambourn trained Stellarta took the spoils beating the favorite by again a race that could not see more than a length between first and third. This Sakhee's secret four year old filly making up for her fourth place effort at Windsor a few weeks ago.

Stellarta

Again Berkshire trained horses ruled supreme, when Henry Candy trained Uele River and ridden by jockey of the evening Dane O'Neil, his second of the meeting won the Ladbokes maiden stakes over 1 mile two furlongs, beating race favorite Burmese by four lengths.

Uele River

The final race of the evening gave a welcome break to the professional riders, as thirteen amateur riders took to the Berkshire course for a 1 mile 3 furlong race the This is Ladbrokes life amateur riders handicap stakes.

Moojaned, trained by Windsor regular David Evans from Abergavenny duly beat 8/11 favorite Gioia Di Vita by 3/4 of a length. Ridden out well by Miss K Begley, who made her 5 lbs allowance off the handicap weight of 10 st 12 lbs tell in the final furlong.

Moojaned

Moojaned ridden by Miss K Begley

Next week at Windsor, a double header of racing. Sunday afternoon racing

 followed by the usual Monday evening event.

All covered and reported by

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HUGHSIE;S LAST WINDSOR MONDAY EVENING HOORAY

Monday night racing at Windsor, took a slight step into the history books.
Richard Hughes, three times and current champion flat jockey. Took his last steps as a jockey at the course.
A course that nearly saw him make major sporting history with his Severn out of eight winners in 2012. And at the start of the 27th July 2015 Monday evening meeting wetting the lips of the racing fraternity, that possibly they could witness a great hooray from the Dublin born champion with six fancied rides from the six race card.

Richard Hughes on his way to his last ride at Windsor

The first race of the evening was a two year old maiden. At least 85 mm of rain fell on the Berkshire course over the weekend making this juvenile event a five horse runner race with good to soft ground.

Hughes and Hannon, who are the usual victors of these type events at the course, sent to post 3/10 favorite Nisser. Who duly romped home by three lengths from his challengers.

Hannon, Hughes and Nisser

This Bay colt, by Dream Ahead, disappointing the trainer on his earlier starts. Has potential and is sure one to keep an eye on now he his on the way.

The second race, another six furlong dash for the maiden's saw again a possible chance for the Hughes,Hannon team.  Grey colt Fast and Hot getting a lot of attention from the bumper crowed on this overcast and blustery July evening.

But Whatcombe trainer Paul Cole and 3 lbs claimer Cam Hardie riding Shakerattlenroll, put pay to this beating the grey into third place by a length and a half.

Shakerattlenroll

Jockey Cam Hardie getting a two day suspension from the Windsor stewards for careless riding during his evenings work  

The biggest pay out race of the evening was the £7250 Supporting racing welfare fillies handicap. Again over the six furlong straight.

With the ground drying in the blustery conditions, jockeys were undecided on what rail to follow, leading to horses stretching from the inside to outside rail at the line.

Mehronissa, trained in Newmarket by Ed Vaughan and ridden by Frederick Tylicki. Went to post 7-2 favorite, and did not disappoint her backers taking the prize by two lengths.

Mehronissa

The fourth and fifth race of the evening also going to the home of British Flat racing.

George Margarson trained Snappy Guest winning the three year old Handicap over one mile, Tom Queally on board.

And  Rae Guest taking home the one mile 2 furlong handicap with Memoria,ridden by David Probert

Snappy Guest

Memoria

The final race of the evening, The racing welfare Farewell to Richard Hughes Handicap.

Could this see a fairy tale end as a jockey for the champion, who rarely stays for a ride in the last.

Riding for Gary Moore on Shalianzi, the jockey took a rousing round of applause as he went to post,acknowledged by the Irishman with a wave, who rarely shows emotion. But alas could not bow out with a winner for the appreciative crowd. Finishing well down the field, the race going to Marcus Tregoning trained Oskar Denarius, ridden by the possible replacement in the Hannon stable Pat Dobbs.

Pat Dobbs on Oskar Denarius

Which really is poetic justice to continue the story........

Hughsie as he is known throughout the industry presented with a memento of his time at the Royal Windsor course by clerk of the course Jeff Green at the end of racing.

The story of the evenings event can be seen at 

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WHO IS THE FAVORITE AT WINDSOR

If you'd have come to the regular Monday evening meetings at Royal Windsor wanting to lay the favorites. Then think again.........

Justice Lass

Not a Favorite went in all evening. 

 A 13/8 second favorite was the first. Trained by David Elsworth and ridden by Liam Keniry, Justice Lass  duly saw off 10/11 favorite  Little voice by three lengths in the maiden fillies stakes over six furlongs.

Smartie Artie

Yours truly was favorite to win over 1m2f, in the maiden second race of the afternoon for the Newmarket  Godolphin team. But no one had informed the  winning ride of, 14/1 and Smartie Artie ridden by Martin Harley and trained by Jeremy Noseda who came home two and a half lengths clear of the rest of the 14 runner field.

Cullompton based trained Rod Millman's charge Biotic ridden by  Frederik Tylicki took on both joint favorites in  Shell Bay and Thames Knight to win the 1m 2f Handicap in the closest of finishes, a nose and 6 lengths off the weight of 9 st 12 lbs.

Biotic (yellow,purple spots) gets up to beat Shell Bay (Orange, Black diablo)

Biotic Frederik Tylicki

Claiming jockeys and apprentices have been lucky this season at Royal Windsor. And again a 5 lbs claimer in Tom Marquand bought home local trainer from Hook, Peter Hedgers Slip Sliding Away home by half a length at a good price of 6-1 from Midnight Rider trained by Rod Millman looking to notch up a quick double.

Far right, in yellow  Slip sliding away wins the six furlong handicap

Slip Sliding Away

Again, another local resident near to Windsor Henry Candy from Wantage and his charge Perestroika took the 1m 3 f three year old handicap by four lengths. And again the price favored on the side of the bookies at 11-1

This three year old bay filly by Sir Percy not only trained by the Wantage master but owned by him and a few others to.

Perestroika

Last race of the evening, and another close fought finish. Luke Morris's mount Molten Lava beat 11-4 second favorite Hot Mustard by a head for Paul Cole in the one mile handicap. Completing a six race card with no favorites and a good evening for the bookies. Still though a good crowed enjoyed the later half of the race season  at the Berkshire racecourse.

Molten Lava

Images from the evenings racing can be seen at

WWW.MJAYPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK