REMEMBER,RMEMBER,FONTWELL IN NOVEMBER

The first of three meetings at the East Sussex course before the throws of the festive period comes upon us.
To start, a Friday six race card, with the throws of late autumn being placed upon the figure of eight course. Rain,wind,dark and dismal. Soft ground and small but interesting fields saw hidden gems come out to show their trainers how well they are doing and gives them a good bench mark on how well the yards progressing as the national hunt season starts to take full flight.

A novices hurdle over the two mile three furlong for conditional jockeys,kicked off the meeting.

Danvinnie

Danvinnie ridden by Thomas Garner, trained by Oliver Sherwood, came over the last in front, but upsides a loose horse. Harry Bannister on Bon Enfant close behind.
Riding up the Fontwell straight, the loose horse on the three pound claimers left veered sharp right, taking the horses race out. And giving a chance for Bannister and the four year old grey to take the race by six lengths.
Garner said ' at the second last I was aware of the dangers of the loose horse on my outside, but if I'd have taken a pull and gone around it, I would have defiantly been beaten. So i took a chance.


So it was the Warren Greatrex trained four year old who took the honours.The trainer mentioned the horse in not the easiest of rides at home and Harry rides him all the time. So it was fitting he got his chance today. Though the trainer was apologetic to his former boss Sherwood.
The trainer also reported that one of his talented rider sons Tom had a trip to the hospital this morning in a schooling accident for his Guvnor David Pipe. Nothing serious just a  broken collar bone, and a few uncomfortable days ahead.

Bon Enfant

Five runners went to post for the next. A two mile five furlong beginners chase. The first of only two over the fences for the meeting. Kim Bailey sent Emily Gray to post 5/2 fav, ridden by David Bass, the Severn year old mare was up with the leaders most of the race took up the lead with three to go. In front her jumping was not all that was cut out but held on well to beat Cresswell Breeze by three lengths in the rain softened Sussex turf.

The mare was a sure tonic for her owner Mr J Perris who hopefully was  cheering home his horse from hospital. Bass mentioned the trainer fancied the mare, who has only won four of her twenty starts, as she had experience over fences. But he would of been more optimistic at the start if the going had been good. Despite all her wins coming on variable goings.

Emily Gray 

The Southern cranes and access LTD mares handicap hurdle, saw the Sussex course receive an award for becoming a track that regularly supports TBA mare races. And it was a race significant for the trainer and the yard of Gary Moore. Moore who, the day before was kicked by a horse at his Horsham home, spent the night in intensive care, Cracked ribs and a punctured lung, gave the talented Moore family anxious moments in the last 24 hours, but it was Flute Bowl, ridden by son Joshua who won this two mile three furlong event by a impressive fifteen lengths, that would of made the trainer feel a little less uncomfortable.

Joshua Moore

Flute Bowl

The five year old mare, who herself had been under doctors orders with a pelvic injury in the spring that had put her off racing a little, was indeed and impressive training feat. And this, her third win added to her juvenile hurdler victories at the turn of the year. 

Son and Jockey Joshua was also happy with the success, mentioned his dad doesn't really know what all the fuss is about, but was happy he could bring this one home for the family.

Fontwell park, seems to be a racecourse that is geared to the family. Not only with the racegoers but trainers and jockeys alike. If you see a Skelton,Moore and now a Lee combination entered. It's surely worth a serious look at.

This time it was a farther/daughter combination that took the two mile one furlong handicap chase with ten year old gelding Mr Bachster. Kerry Lee, daughter of top national hunt trainer Richard Lee, has always been destined to become a master in her own rights.' always being about horses in dad's yard and then training pointers, i knew that this was always the job for me'  said the trainer  of this Bach ten ten year old on his twenty fifth outing, resulting in three wins. ' The plan was always to make all, and know i can expect a happy call from dad without not too much criticism.' Made all, is what the horse did, and won comfortably by twenty length's from  the top weight Treacy Hotels Boy.

To cap it all in this race it was Jamie Moore who steered the horse home, another reason to see the Moore family leave Sussex with a smile on their faces

Mr Bachster

The last race of the meeting over obstacles was a three mile one furlong handicap hurdle. Maidstone trainer Linda Jewell sent out Maccabees the 11/2 fav. But it was bottom weight General Girling, ridden by James Best and trained by Caroline Keevil, who took up the lead three out and duly won the race by an impressive twenty four lengths from the favourite.

This Ex point to pointer, who loves the mud looks a nice big sort, and must be destined for the bigger obstacles. ' He was just a bit novice at home over fences' said the Motcombe trainer ' so a run over hurdles was aimed, a confidence booster, and the steady pace and going suited him.' One to watch in the future i feel.

General Girling

If you read my Blogs regularly. You'd of noticed that recently i visited the yard of Suzy Smith. Nestled in the ruins of the old Lewes racecourse. This promising young trainer, with a small string compared to most, a few meetings ago at Fontwell, saddled home Jenifer Eccles to win a bumper, a few days before i graced her yard.

Today, another winner. With another bumper, this time Clondaw Claw, ridden  by Tom O'Brien. Beating favourite William H Bonney (the sundance kid to those who can remember their cowboys) trained by Alan King.

Smith liked this ex point to pointer when she showed him off at her yard, and he duly paid back her faith in him by taking this event. ' We might not find another bumper for him so he may have to see his luck over obstacles next time' said the Lewes based trainer. But the five year old by Gold Well stayed on well in the near dark and churned up ground to take his race by a length. Keep an eye on this one, he is sure to pick up a race over the jumps soon if the ground is soft.

Clondaw Claw

The second of the trio of meetings at Fontwell in November is in as little as a weeks time. And it holds the Southern National over the figure of eight track. Some work to do for the ground staff beforehand, but a meeting well to look forward to.

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FONTWELL PARK AUTUMN ACTION 21ST OCTOBER

As this years flat season officially draws to it's close. All heads turn to racing under rules. Fontwell park stages a decent, six race card for a dark and damp late October.
The good and the great are starting to get their National Hunt stars revved up and ready, and horses that we all may see in big handicap hurdles and chases now are being seen on the smaller tracks to polish off their pre season training.

The beginning of the week saw the south of the UK in a midst of high pressure, the ground was dry and trainers were waiting for the rain. The night before the meeting it came. Not in bucket loads but enough to see the ground go good to soft,soft in places. And trainers allowing there charges to take their chances

 The first race, a two mile one furlong novice hurdle saw eight runners go to post. The favourite Alan Kings Board of Trade going off a well fancied 5/6 fav.
But it was the Harry Whittington trained Bigmartre, who took the honours. The trainer who sent this anxious four year old to post was very happy with the horse who he likes a lot. The gelding by Montamatre was bough by Harry from France on the advice of his bloodstock agent. A quick flight over to see the gelding resulted in him coming home to Lambourn. And is surly a horse now that will be pointed at bigger and better races at places such as Ascot, Newbury or Cheltenham. One to watch i feel.

Bigmartre

The first of only two chases on the card, saw only five go to post for two mile three furlong beginners chase. Top trainer Paul Nicholls who rarely sends his charges to the East Sussex course, sent Calipto to post under the steerage of Sam Twiston-Davies. The well attended crowd backed the trainers faith in this five year old gelding and sent off the horse at 8/15Fav. The well fancied runner backed up that faith with an effortless run beating Wadswick Court by five lengths. The jockey reported he was happy to ride horses such as this calibre, and the horse with plenty of speed would have no trouble with two miles, in the soft and the pace therein.

Calipto

A two Mile five furlong handicap hurdle saw Severn runners take to the tapes. With another top trainer in Grand national winning guvnor Oliver Sherwood  letting Drum Valley take his chances.

The Severn year old off top weight of 11st 2lbs saw claimer Ben Ffrech Davies take 10lbs off this Beat Hollow geldings back. with this we saw the the horse take on and beat favourite Light entrainment by nine lengths. The horse who has run over both sets of obstacles made it a good day for the young rider, who frequents the Fontwell turf often, and now has a two from two 100% record for the Lambourn trainer. Sherwood remarked that the horse is not the biggest so would probably stay at hurdling and has come on well from his ten months on the sidelines running a good second at Sandown last December.

Drum Valley

The second and last chase of the day, saw another small field tackle the figure of eight track. Four runners went to post for the two mile five furlong handicap.

Trainer David Bridgwater sent Fergal Mael Duin to post not backing his chances ' he hates the going distance and the changes in direction, everything was wrong for him' Top Fontwell Jockey Tom Cannon on board this top weight soon took the lead of the four, and though the horse did his best to throw the race by jumping right at the last, then hanging the same way up the Fontwell hill, had the beating of trainer in form Harry whittington's Frizzo beating the gelding by five lengths.

Fergal Mael Duin

Despite the trainers lack of enthusiasm the punters sent the Severn year old grey off favourite at 8/11.

The final race over obstacles for the day was the two mile three furlong novice hurdle race for conditional riders. Nine runners went to post.

Dainty Diva

Dainty Diva ridden by three pound claimer Matt Griffiths was sent off a 3/1 fav took the lead easily two from home, and despite hanging over the last won the race with ease by six lengths from Al Guwair.

Trainer Jeremy Scott said he was thrilled with the horse as he fancied her chances in a race he thought was not the greatest of contests. The mare ran at the course in June,unseated Griffiths and as a result took a nasty injury caused by the reins getting caught around the front legs, stripping the mares hair and causing a deep injury. A good lay off,top treatment saw this Severn year old gain confidence, Scott mentioning that she could do with half a mile less in the future.

The sixth and final race of the afternoon a two mile one furlong National Hunt flat race. Saw the brotherly pairing, who did so well last meeting at Fontwell Harry and Dan Skelton take the spoils.

Late Night Lily

Late Night Lily, in only her second outing, progressed on well from her debut at Southwell at the beginning of the year. The four year old filly by Midnight Legend who is an obvious mud lover took up the running with three furlongs to go and looked untroubled beating Midnight Tune by eight lengths, and would be one on a lowly track to take note of when out in the mud again.

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DOUBLE HEADER IN THE FINAL FLING AT WINDSOR

Deep in the clutches of the British autumn, the last reminence of the summer racing game draws to a close.
Royal Windsor racecourse offed two days of quality racing. It's last Monday meeting of 2015. And also a bonus addition from the suspension of Great Yarmouth racecourses 2015 meetings, an extra Tuesday meeting.
My usual blogs come in the shape of reporting meeting by meeting. This time though with the depth a quality of racing on offer my report comes in the shape of a bumper, upsides race by race review. Eight races each day on offer, all with quality well attended fields and some stunning photography.

Quatrieme Ami

The first race as usual for Windsor was set for maiden two year olds. The Monday meeting was over the sharp 5 furlong dash. Phillip McBride from racing HQ Newmarket sent the furthest traveller for this race Quatrieme Ami  to post 4-11 fav. Ridden by David Probert, this son of Equiano, one his third outing, previous a fourth at Kempton and a promising run at Recar, took up the running with a furlong to go and held on well to beat a Mick Channon trained filly Shine Likeadiamond.

Exist

One the Tuesday, John Gosden, who made a rare trip to the Berkshire course. Sent Exist to post. Going off at 7/2 settled well for jockey Robert Havlin, Frankie having been claimed for Al Shaqab's Mheelah. and though hanging left at the final stages to her race well. The race being run over six furlongs and for fillies only.
The Exceed and Excel filly out of a Efisio mare in only her second run of her career, the last a promising third at Leicester two weeks ago, seems to be one that would be hard to please as she goes on. Owned by Cheveley park stud seems to be hard to settle at home, but Havlin reported settled well for the race and time and experience can only be a bonus for this youngster, with six furlongs being its best distance.



The second race on the Monday, a six furlong three year old contest saw Lee Carter from Epsom send Rufford to post. Ridden by Keiron Fox this invincible spirit gelding whose last win came on the polytrack at Lingfield made all to beat Pettochside the 7/2 fav by three lengths, giving the fav 4lbs and not being fancied in the ring going off at 11/1

Rufford

Tuesdays meeting, also saw another big priced winner. Gary Moore sent Art Collection to post at 25/1. Ridden by Fergus Sweeney the two year old by Shakespearean, who is off to the sales next week and wore blinkers for the first time took up the running with four furlongs to go. Despite again running left, (horses on the second day opting to run up the centre of the track), the gelding hung on well to beat again the fav 9/2 shot Broughtons Fancy.

His second win of Severn starts, this six furlong horse could be a prominent purchase for someone as he looks a big improving sort.

 (near side)Art Collection

Primitivo

 So mi dar

The third race on both days were for maidens, the Mondays event being a nursery. One both days over  mile and won on both days with horses carrying 9 st.National hunt trainer Alan king on the Monday sent Primitivo to post 6/4 fav  ridden by the tall figure  of William Twiston-Davies the colt by Excellent Art out of a Danehill Dancer mare was pushed in front a furlong out to beat Mark Johnston's Deodoro by two lengths. The colt has been progressively making his way up the winner enclosure over its last few runs and also is a horse that may hit the sales ring in the near future.

On the Tuesday,John Gosden sent So mi dar to post at 6/1, the Dubawi filly out of  the quality mare who had good success on the course Dar Re Mi. Ridden by Robert Havlin who also has success on the dam. The two year old in her first outing held on well to beat Golden Stunner by a neck.

Jockey Havlin said this strapping sort hit the gates well at the start, and a good draw helped her chances, and was delighted to get the ride on her, in a season that has gone very well for him.

Fourth race, and on the Monday a mile handicap for three year olds and upwards was on the card. John Bridger who has had a successful season at Windsor sent his veteran ten year old Shifting Star to post. the chestnut gelding by night shift on his 114th run ridden by William Carson led the race and headed six furlongs out, the horse whose last win was at Brighton in April battled on bravely and got up in the final strides to beat Dark Diamond a horse Severn years his junior.

Shifting Star,Dark Diamond

Emotions ran high in the winners enclosure as the previous trained by Walter Swinburn gelding came in, and showed on his day this horse can still mix it with the best.

On the Tuesday again a favourite trainer of the track in David Evans sent 2/1 fav Anonymous John to post.

Anonymous John

The Baltic king three year old in his third win of his career, the last one being last season as a two year old ran on well to beat Evening Attire by a length. Jockey Adam Kirby said he knew this one could be in with a chance, as trainer Evans rarely send one to the races without a chance, he trains a Hardy sort of horse, were some do not get anything out of one this trainer would. Again a possible sales contender at the end of the season.

Fifth race, on the Monday a one mile two furlong handicap, and if Godolpin have one in, you have to respect it. A three year old filly by Dubawi Wild Storm, sent to post 2/1 fav, battled home well under top jockey James Doyle. Already a winner at Windsor in April, this nice looking filly as all Goldolphns are, battled home well to beat David Elsworth's Derulo by half a lengths. Two wins and placed at Kempton, this filly is one that may endure a bit of a winter campaign, and looks a worth contender.

Tuesday, fifth race, again for three year olds, but this time over the shorter six furlongs. Spring Loaded by Zebedee out of a Intikhab mare. Came back after a lengthy summer lay off through injury. The three year old with his first win on the turf came back to racing bigger and better from hi holidays to beat 4-1 fav Fairway to Heaven by two lengths. Sean Levey, who rode this grey on his maiden outing was surprised by how ell he had done and was happy to bring this one home for the yellow colours of Rowley Racing.

Wild Storm

Spring Loaded

Promising apprentice Edward Greatrex,a usual leg up for trainer Ron Hodges, took Severn year old Dreams of Glory to post for the next.Over the five furlong dash the resplendent Glory gelding kept on well over the final furlong to beat Dusty Blue by two lengths. The last time this gelding was in the winners enclosure was over course and distance in an amateur race. The jockey, Ed's twin brother Tom, so must be a favourite in the Greatrex family album.

Dreams of Glory

On the Tuesday, over six furlongs this time Richard Guest trained Captain Scooby  won nicely this handicap for three year olds.Joey Hayes took the Captain Rio gelding to the front a furlong out. Anthe the nine yer old on his 150th outing won well, beating Tidal's baby by a length.

Tidals's Baby,Captain Scooby

The Final two races for the Windsor Monday meeting, held two divisions of a 1m 3 f amateur race.

Merry Dancer

Rum Swizzle

Merry Dancer under Mr M.J.P.Kendrick won the first. Trained in oxfordshire by Paul Webber, the three year old filly by Duke of Marmalade went to post at 14/1. Beating 9/2 shot Idle Talker by a short head, with Favourite sliver Lining in fourth.

Division two, Harry Dunlop trained Rum Swizzle with the twin of earlier winning apprentice E Greatrex Tom on board, justified his 6/4 priced favouritism by beating Loving your work and Top National hunt amateur Sam-Waley Cohen by two lengths.

The Tuesday, saw Instant Karma, trained by Micheal Bell from Newmarket and ridden by William Twiston Davis have his first win on a racetrack.Owner Mr Caine mentioned that he asked the trainer to try something completely different from his previous nine other starts. and go from the front and take the blinkers away. It worked, as the four year old made the pace, and though running left in the final furlong, hung on well to beat the favourite Melodica by three lengths.

Instant Karma

The Final race from the royal Berkshire course for 2015. Was a mile handicap for three year olds. Newmarkets Mick Quinn sent World Record to post, ridden by Willliam Carson off the back of his previuos win at Brighton two weeks ago on soft ground. The choisir gelding only a few pound worse off for the win, seemed not to mind a little more pace in the ground, and though hard ridden held off Ted's brother by three lengths.

This race as well as the fifthteen other over two days before, was a fitting end to a quality seasons racing at Windsor.

World Record, William Carson

And know though the course is put to sleep for the months ahead. We can only look foward to the 2016 Windsor season.

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IN THE SHADOW OF THE OLD LEWES RACECOURSE-SUZY SMITH

In the picturesque village of Lewes in the hills of East Sussex, lies an ancient gem of British Racing.

Lewes racecourse closed it's doors to the public in the early 60's. The road that still bears the entrance name to the age old horseshoe shaped course, now has a new life. Still involved in the sport of kings the grounds that once saw the likes of  Jockeys Jeff Lewis and Bobby Elliot, Royalty in the then prince of wales,later King George IV, who seldom missed a Lewes meeting,and horses who were in preparation for the classics, now sees the new wave of racehorse go about their paces with three sets of training establishments within it's grounds.

A view from County Stables over the old Lewes racecourse

One of those trainers, Suzy Smith, born within the sounds of  Epsom racecourse has twenty horses in her charge. A qualified riding instructor, and holding a diploma from the National Stud, Suzy took over the reins of County Stables when she was twenty five. Assisted by her partner Sergio Gordon-Watson, the stables, part of them within the old Tote building from the old course.

The old Tote building

has a light and airy feel to them. The boxes are big and comfortable, and the chalk based gallops and endless Sussex downs riding is an ideal place to train young tearaways, and to put the racehorses minds on their games.

Horses such as.

Jenniefer Eccles

Jennifer Eccles last win at Fontwell

A winner last time out at Fontwell, this 5 yo mare by Midnight Legend, is held in great steed by her trainer. Yet to race over obstacles this mare is one to put in the note books as an improving sort.

Laughton Park

The ten year old by Karinga Bay holds an entry at Fontwell on Wednesday. Looking for cut in the ground Suzy was very complimentary about this chestnut gelding, and having sixteen starts on the racecourse, three of them with trips to the winners enclosure, this horse could be one to watch in the near future.

Red Devil Star

A five year old ex point to pointer with only five runs under his belt under rules. A good looking chasing sort that needs to be watched and also holds an entry at Fontwell on Wednesday. Only time will tell with this one.

General Bux

A four year old Luciano gelding, without a run and learning his trade, and no better place than this peaceful but well equipped stable.

Trainer Suzy Smith looks at a picture of the old course with members of the West Berkshire racing club

With facilities and experience Suzy Smith is certainly a trainer to take note of. The stables are set for getting the horse to have a healthy heart, as well as a healthy mind, the trainer mentioned she dose not want the vast amounts of horse of those in the top tier of the national hunt game, and is happy with what she has.

                                And what she has.... Is a lot and one to look for in seasons to come.

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MONDAY AUTUMN RACING AT ROYAL WINDSOR

Late autumn sun,eight races with good fields. The penultimate Monday racing for 2015, a meeting that was well worth it for those who watch and notes the younger, more inexperienced horses that try for a last gasp bid for the winners enclosure.

Fourteen runners for the first, a six furlong sprint for maiden two year olds. Dean Ivory sent to post 2/1 favourite Fighting Temeraire. Robert Winston on board this son of Invincible Spirit out of a Selkirk mare. He sent the colt for home to take his race a furlong out despite getting a bump for his troubles, he continued to hold on beating a Jeremy Noseda colt Cee Jay by three lengths.

Fighting Temeraire

This nice looking colt, already placed in a same distance contest at Newbury a month back, looks the type that will improve as a three year old, and with his experience earned as a maiden, maybe should be noted for the future.





Another two year old contest for the second race, this time a five furlong dash nursery, and gave veteran trainer John Bridger a winner with his grey filly Stormflower. Already a winner at Lingfield in August, and unable to show that sort form on her last three trips to a racetrack, this daughter Of Arcano  showed that with cut in the ground, the official going good to soft, she could produce the form again, much to the delight of the owners in the winners enclosure.

John Bridger

The filly held on well, and beat Addicted to Luck by a neck, giving the Liphook trainer another winner to an already successful season, and a good number of trips to the winners enclosure at the Royal Berkshire course.

Stormflower

Nineteen runners in total split the two divisions of The MPM Flooring LTD maiden stakes for three year olds over the Windsor mile. Clive Cox saddling the winner of division one of the contest with 2/1 favourite Weetles, the filly by High Chaparral out of an invincible Spirit mare last time out at Goodwood made the frame by finishing fourth. This time, beating comfortably China Girl by six lengths and off the mark of  9st was impressive on her first victory.

Weetles

Division two of the same race and distance, saw this time the boys hit the front. Luca Cumani's trained Optima Petamus or translated 'Let us see the best' hit the front beating the favourite Brutus into third. Jockey Jamie Spencer was pleased with his mount, stating that, though having to be encouraged this colt by Mastercraftsman out of a Desert prince mare took his race well and would maybe, be one to watch later on.

Optima Petamus

Mick Channon sent to post Deeds Not Words to post an 8/1 shot for the six furlongs Handicap stakes. the four year old off  9st, by Royal Applause was already a winner at Chepstow in August on good to firm ground, showing how versatile he his by beating Be Bold trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by the possible soon to crowned top apprentice Tom Marquand by a length.
Ridden by Charles Bishop the gelding despite hanging left as taking up his race, kept on gamely to take his spoils.

Deeds Not Words

Tom Marquand, with a good book of rides for the day was legged up in the next, on the 11/2 shot Crystal Malt. Trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by the apprentice in his final week of challenging for the top spot in the apprentice championship. Again beaten into second,he failed to pull away from his main rival Jack Garrity. 

Maquand on 52 winners his rival on 50 in the dying stages of the season.

Tom Marquand

It was another apprentice Rob Hornby who took the honours with 5/1 favourite Ghinia trained by Pam Sly, and another winner for the sire Masetrcraftsman. The four year old was ridden out in the final furlong and stayed on well, helped by the 5lbs claim from Hornby off a weight of 9st 6lbs.

 The filly already a winner in July at Leicester and second last time out at Haydock showed that she was back to her best form, and possible would need to be watched if produced for a quick turn around to claim a sharp double.

Ghinia

Roger Charlton and Jim Crowley took the penultimate race of the afternoon, a 1m 2 f  race for three year olds. Devonshire Place a three year old filly by Rip Van Winkle, went to post a 7/1 shot and stayed on well to beat Michael Bell's Berland who was giving the winner 10lbs but was beaten only half a length

Devonshire Place

The final race of the afternoon,saw trainer Pam Sly,owner David Bayliss and Jockey Rob Hornby notch a quick double.

All My Love

All My Love, yet to improve on her only win last season at Leicester beat 2/1 favourite Candella by a nose in a tight driving finish, despite being 1lbs in weight difference between them the daughter of Lord Shanakill, made her mark in the soft autumn ground to close out the days events.

Next week a double days racing at the Royal Berkshire course with the final Mondays racing and  a Tuesday card.

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