SATURDAY SEVEN AS FONTWELL END THE DOUBLE

Another day of racing at Fontwell. 

Seven races on the card, over an inch of rain falling on the East Sussex course since the last race from the previous days racing put the going from good, to soft ground causing a number of runners to withdraw.

But this didn’t dampen the spirits of the winning jockey from the last on the Friday, Sam Twiston Davies riding a double on the first day of the two day meet at Fontwell picked up the reins where he left off, riding again for Richard Newland he steered top weight Desert Sensation home by ten lengths in the three mile one furlong handicap hurdle.

Desert Sensation 

Leading from two out the four-year-old lengthened well up the hill Acadian following up. 

‘My fella really appreciated the ground on the softer side, and Mr Newlands horses are really well at the moment.’

 The Authorized gelding off top weight of 11st 12 lbs picked up his first ever trip into the winners enclosure and certainly looked the part. With the jockey who over the two days has had three wins from four rides.

And it did not stop there,the four runner novices chase over two miles three saw the young contender on board Paul Nicholls More Bucks who romped home by eight lengths from Tanit River.

The six-year-old well bred by Presenting out of a Epervier Blue mare lost his only danger two out, Agincourt Reef unshipping Josh Moore two out.

‘He has jumped around here well,’ mentioned the jockey. ‘he has had a year off with a leg injury, the ground with a little more give than yesterday has helped him, but it has given him confidence, now we have to see what mark he is off next time to see where to go with him.’

The horses class certainly saw him through on this occasion, the yard mentioning that there were no high plans for him, but rest assure the master of Ditcheat would have a goal in site.

‘My fella really appreciated the ground on the softer side, and Mr Newlands horses are really well at the moment.’

'It has given him confidence, now we have to see what mark he is off next time to see where to go with him.’

Aidan Coleman riding Midnight Shot out of the Charlie Longsdon yard took the two mile three furlongs’ handicap hurdle. 

The six-year-old, 7/4 favourite made all of the race to win unchallenged beating Dan Skelton’s Zarib by four lengths.

Midnight Shot

‘He is a very straight forward type really, and the yard is really well at the moment so it was nice to get the win on him.’ 

The yard certainly on good form taking a listed bumper in Ireland the day before with Snow Leopardess, team Longsdon certainly is finding the path as the season develops.

And it didn’t stop there for the Coleman-Longsdon combination, as Tinted Rose took the last the two mile one national hunt flat race by four lengths from Faheem out of the Lydia Richards yard.

Tinted Rose

The four-year-old filly progressing through her races certainly looks the type to start her hurdling, the stable reporting she has been schooling well at home. 

‘She isn’t the biggest of horses but certainly looks the type and should have more improvement yet.'

The jockey now on his 52^nd winner of the season ten behind Sam Twiston-Davies mentioned ‘she has made the most of her allowances today being a mare,and has the right attitude so she is a nice type.’ Nice type indeed and is certainly one for the notebooks.

‘He is a very straight forward type really, and the yard is really well at the moment.'

‘She isn’t the biggest of horses but certainly looks the type and should have more improvement yet.'

The two and half mile handicap chase was again short of runners, four going to the start, local trainer Gary Moore sending Anthony to post the 2/1 favourite. 

Sam Twiston Davies on Richard Newlands Top Cat Henry challenging the eventual winner two out only to receive a bump from the six-year-old showing that the ups and downs of jump racing for the young jockey were still very much apparent. 

This left Wilton Milan from the Skelton yard to chase home the winner only getting to four lengths from him by the winning line.

Anthony

‘It was a bit of a messy race really but he has done it well in the end, all the horses were having a bit of a wander due to the surface being a little bit greasy, it can’t be helped really with the amount of rain we have had in in the last twelve hours.’

The report from the yard was all is well for the Horsham trainer, and as well as Fontwell no horse or jockey out of the Moore yard should be ignored. (on writing this Ryan Moore winning the Prix de l’arc on Found is a definite sign.) 

‘It was a bit of a messy race really but he has done it well in the end.'

Affaire D’Honneur

Keeping on a French theme, Affaire D’Honneur took the two mile three furlongs’ novices hurdle beating Laoch Beagby a commanding eight lengths.

The Harry Whittington 3/10 favourite, the banker for the afternoon took the race up three out and was pushed clear of the four other runners by Gavin Sheenan to take his maiden race from four starts.

‘He has run in some nice races at the end of last season, running a nice race at Newbury, so he has deserved that win. He is a nice horse and today the plan was to get his head in front, that done there is a plan for him for further on but today is what we were concentrating on, if we had been beaten then it was back to the drawing board.’

The horse made it difficult for Sheenan up the straight having a look about so he has had to work hard, but out of a yard that goes from strength to strength as the seasons/months go forward the horse seems to be well liked by the Sparsholt trainer, and is one to red ink I feel in the notebooks.

'He is a nice horse and today the plan was to get his head in front.'

The conditional handicap chase over two and a half miles, a little more non-controversial that the previous days conditional race, went to the Anthony Honeyball yard with the six-year-old Unify ridden by Harry Cobden.

I say non-controversial,  up the straight the 8/11 favourite and second placed horse Highbury High came very close causing the stewards to have a look if it was the winner that caused the infringement, the winning margin only being ¾ of a length.

up the straight the 8/11 favourite and second placed horse Highbury High came very close causing the stewards to have a look if it was the winner that caused the infringement,

Neil Mullholland trainer of Highbury High was happy to concede as he thought it was his horse doing the movement towards the far side rail, his grey horse more likely shying from the mass din from the crowd willing the favourite home.

The stewards redeemed the race as placings unaltered Highbury High’s jockey Jordan Canavan being cautioned by the stewards as to further conduct.

The winner now on two wins from eighteen starts looks as if he could win again as now having his second victory on the bounce in no less than five days, could he be out a week later for the three timer? One to note.

Unify 

So as all horses travel home from thirteen races over two days racing at the West Sussex track, a lot has been learnt and seen. 

And as the Autumn sets in, the jump game now gathers momentum the question is. 

Have we seen something here at Fontwell that will be a star of this seasons National Hunt game, remember Cue card??

Blogs and images from both days racing can be seen at

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TRIBLE DECKER DESERVERS WORKBENCH A DRINK

Workbench

If anyone can tell you that at non weekend card of six national hunt races cannot be full of passion, controversy and winners. Take it with a pinch of salt.

A two day meet at Fontwell park starts with a bang, and still a month off until November 5^th.

The main race on the card the £8.900 Fullers London Pride Handicap chase saw the eight-year-old Workbench out of the Dan Skelton yard take the prize for the third year running beating Tom Scudamore on David Pipes Purple ‘N’ Gold by a length.

Workbench out of the Dan Skelton yard take the prize for the third year running beating                                     Tom Scudamore on David Pipes Purple ‘N’ Gold by a length.

The yard favourite on his sixth win from thirty-six runs took on the challenge well from the pipe contender, staying on over the last to take the race.

‘This horse is a real dude’ mentioned Harry Skelton on board the horse. ‘These older horses seem to love the figure of eight track, he came around the bottom bend like a pony, handled it all very well. It’s great really because everyone has time for this fella.’

The horse set for this race would be the owners Mr Lake gold cup outing, and it was impressive to see the popular horse win.

The Skelton clan now settling into the real business of the jump season are pleased with how things are going at present, very little I suppose will top their father’s gold medal in Rio, but each day will come one after the other for this popular combination. 

‘The owners can now enjoy the rest of the season with this fella, now we have bagged this race it’s a long season and as long as they all race and jump well we can’t ask for much else.’

Workbench

The impressive double of the day came in the form of the young jockey who lying fifteen winners behind Richard Johnson rode two very nice horses out of two impressive yards. 

Sam Twiston-Davies rode the first of his double out of his governors’ yard Paul Nicholls. 

Frodon took the four runner two and a half mile novices chase in impressive fashion, the four-year-old with bottom weight was always in charge from three fences out beating Nick Henderson’s Clean Sheet by five lengths, the seven-year-old coming from the John McManus portfolio.

'This was plan B for the horse really, we wanted to see if he would get the two mile five, and from that think about him for the Paddy Power, he jumped and stayed the distance well so I can see no reason why he wouldn’t be in the running.’

The horse now three wins from six starts looks the improving type, Twiston-Davies mentioning with more racing and schooling this four-year-old gets. The better he will become. 

A nice race to pick up in his early days and is surly one that would be in the Master of Ditcheat’s mind as the season continues.

Frodon

Young Dillon

Sam Twiston-Davies second winner of the afternoon and his sixty first of the season came in the form of Young Dillon, trained by Dr Richard Newland, the young jockey had to wait to the last race to bring the seven-year-old home by five lengths from the favourite generous Chef.

The 9/2 shot off top weight of 11st 12 lbs seemed to ease past the five other competitors from three out, and stayed on well up the east Sussex tracks inclined finish. 

‘It wasn’t the strongest of races, but he has jumped well and done it nicely in the end, he has enjoyed the ground better here today which has helped.’

The horse now on four runs from eleven starts, pulled up a month back at Cartmel on good to soft ground, the ground riding well at good seemed to be more to his liking. 

Not a world beater but a win none the less off a big weight and out of a quality yard was well worth the wait from the second race to the last for the young jockey.

'This was plan B for the horse really, we wanted to see if he would get the two mile five.'

'He has enjoyed the ground better here today which has helped.’

The jockey mentioned it made life very easy for him to ride for yards of such quality.’ Riding for the guvnor, Mr Newland and dad makes it very enjoyable for me, and I have some nice rides here tomorrow also.’

This graduate from the pony racing circuit will be the future of the jumping game for sure, with names such as Coleman, Scudamore and Twiston-Davies in the mix national hunt racing looks rosy indeed.

Controversy came in the shape of the penultimate race of the afternoon, the three miles one-furlong conditional Jockey Chase.

A circuit into the race Kieron Edgar on David Dennis’s Indiana Bay was pulled up in difficult on the bend just after the finish line, the nine-year-old sadly going down.

 Horses coming up the straight for the second time for this distance race being instructed to miss the two fences along the straight, coming wide around the past the stricken horse, Clerk of the course Ed Arkle showing no hesitation to stop the race.

The health and safety of horses, Jockey and ground staff was enough to stop the race mentioned Arkle, Jockey Ciaran Gethings who was leading at the time on Peter Bowen's Stumble Head mentioned,’ My fella was really going well, and was for sure to be in the mix at the end. I have never seen anything like it really, and I should reckon it was the same for a lot of people really, a sad thing.’

Jockey Ciaran Gethings on Stumble Head 

Indeed, a sad thing, Indiana Bay suffering a heart attack not being able to be saved. 

The race void surly gave controversy to the afternoon, clerk of the course Ed Arkle doing the right thing for all in concern.

Who says that these guys go to the races for a good lunch only, to make calls like this shows why we have quality in charge of our British racecourses.

Clerk of the course Ed Arkle showing no hesitation to stop the race.

The other races of this six race card started off the afternoon with a two mile one-furlong Juvenile maiden hurdle. 

Fontwells favourite trainer and owners, Gary Moore and Heat of the south racings Sisania took the race by two lengths, the 10/11 favourite beating 33/1 shot Marmot.

The three-year-old on his maiden win from five starts still looks like there is more improving to do, but the popular syndicate would rejoice in another trip to the winners enclosure, and this Matercraftsman youngster with a fair bit of flat racing form, surely looks the type that would go on again.

Sisania took the race by two lengths, the 10/11 favourite beating 33/1 shot Marmot.

The two mile one-furlong handicap hurdle, another favourite went in, beating another 33/1 shot. 

Highgrove Percy ridden by amateur James King took the race by two lengths from Istimraar out of the Alexandra Dunn’s yard.

The horse only running six days previous when second at Market Rasen stayed on well when ridden out. 

‘He has really got into his rhythm well and took the race very professionally, with his allowance and my claim it has made it a tidy win for him today I think next week he was due to race off the mark of 122 so a good win today.’

The three-year-old winning three of his five runs over obstacles looks to be a horse that could improve over handicap form and should be one to keep in the notebooks.

'I think next week he was due to race off the mark of 122 so a good win today.’

Another day to go at Fontwell, and after the mix and match of the first day of a two day meet, what is to come from another seven races at the East Sussex track.

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HIGH END HIGH ABOVE LAMBOURN A VISIT TO OWEN BURROWS YARD

Nestled just a stone’s throw from the Membury services M4, and overlooking the Lambourn Valley lies Kingswood House Stables. 

Trainer Owen Burrows, one time National Hunt jockey to the likes of David Nicholson and Josh Gifford,more recently assistant trainer to Sir Michael Stoute, in his first season on his own has been entrusted to train for one of the prolific owners of the racing game Hamdan Al Maktoum.

With the sad loss of John Hills, not only to his family,but also the sport of Kings, has meant this young first season trainer has been pushed to the forefront with 70 horses in his care, all capable of winning somewhere in the country, some capable of picking up the top races.

 Aged 26, serving just under half his life with the master of Freemason Lodge a small, a select group including yours truly, were given the time and patience from this knowledgeable young gun.

Some fine two year olds on display as we watched the horses work a steady canter up the self-contained all weather, the trainer having all that he needs to take things forward. ‘we are self-sufficient here which is nice, you can hear the hum of the M4 but otherwise peaceful, and that’s how we like it.’

On a 16% strike rate for the season. 14 winners from 85 runners, the trainer is honest enough to know how lucky he has been, ‘Michael Hills and Sir Michael Stoute have to be greatly respected for bringing me to the attention of the owner.’ Or the ‘boss’ as he affectionately calls him.
‘They spoke to Angus Gold, and from that to Hamdan Al Maktoum and here we are, I wake up most mornings feeling incredibly lucky.’

All horse looked well, the youngsters on the gallops looked sharp but calm, the trainer mentioning that on Monday mornings he would be worried if some were not bucking and squealing. ‘It’s sad to hear Newmarket has some sort of virus hovering around, I would know straight away if mine were quiet, touch wood at present all is fine.’

Horses cantered, and described passionately by the trainer. Owen mentioned how lucky he was to have a good team behind him, ‘Some were here when I arrived, so I inherited quality which was half the battle.’ The staff worked quietly, but efficiently around the yard as the trainer walked us by each and every box in both his older horse and younger horses yards.

On the gallops with the two year olds

Each Sheikh Hamdan's owned horses have a purpose, each well selected to pick up races and classics, ‘the majority are sourced by the owner and Angus, I can choose a couple a year from my list, but again the boss and Angus have the final say.’

The occupants looked calm and content in the smart, modern surroundings, nothing is left unturned.

Owen Burrows explains about his horses

‘My new addition is the salt chamber,’ Salt being a natural ingredient is ground by a machine into a fine powder and like an air conditioner the power is gently put into the air, the horse ingests it and it settles on their coats. ‘It helps the horse get rid of any bad mucus in the lungs and also is good for the skin, three horses can stand in here at a time and they don’t seem to mind it.’
The brain child of Tom Taaffe, son of Arkle legend Pat, the ‘salt chamber’ seems to be a positive and growing trend, Sheikh Hamdan setting up a few throughout his racing empire.

How fortunate to be shown individually around such fine horses, could possibly we have been graced with a few of a classic winner  as we went from box to box?
 some horse shown were.

Markaz 4yo By Dark Angle Out of Folga, By Atraf 

Mezel 5yo By Tamayuz out of Mumayeza By Indian Ridge

Okool 2yo By Cape Cross out of Seschat By Sinndar

Owen Burrows seems to have a likeable and intelligent nature,you can see why the great and the good of the industry like him, he gives you time.
 And by this I should reckon this would transmit into his training. Patience is need with this game, too rushed and things will break, to slow and things will pass you by. Well you can say for this trainer at Kingswood House he certainly hasn’t let this opportunity pass, gabbed it firmly with both hand and steering it positively forward.

Is Owen Burrows the new kid on the block for the big time flat trainers crown, well with the experienced owners behind him who knows, a possibility I would say, the proof being shown in the pudding, that would put even Mary Berry to shame.

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GREY DANVERS AT JONATHAN PORTMANS YARD

Set at the edge of the Lambourn Gallops, Upper Lambourn based Jonathan Portman resides at the modern, but yet keeping in with the surroundings Whitcoombe House Stables

About 65 at stable at present, the mild mannered master took a group around his stables and proudly showed his stable star two-year-old Mrs Danvers off, in the stables as well as on the Lambourn gallops.

Mrs Danvers

The versatile grey filly who has won her last four trips over the five furlongs, the last outing being Bathwick Tyres St Hugh's Fillies' Stakes at Newbury, went through a gentle paced piece of work, and looking at this rising speed merchentess, it was plain to see why her wins have been on ground from good to soft to good to firm over the past few months.

To look at from a distance this flint grey filly looks as pretty as spring itself, butter would not melt in her mouth. Up close you can see just what an athlete she is. The engine looks like it’s all there, and up close she looks like a horse, none of this slender, petite two-year-old with this daughter of Hellveyn. She’s the real McCoy to be sure.

Mrs Danvers wins a class II 5 furlong sprint at Windsor in June

Jonathan Portman

The master of Whitcoombe House speaks passionately and knowledgeably about his charges. Having only a small string out at a time, gives the trainer chance to cast his eye over the details. This showed for sure as he described each of his four horses as they went about their work.

The feeling you got as you listened to him was that he genuinely cared not only for his workplace, horses and business. But his staff who went about their work with professionalism and courtesy. All I felt were up to the task of making you feel welcome and part of the experience, a part of the business that is so important in today's market.

Back at the stable three separate barns gave room and space for each of the occupants to freely see their surrounds, no shouting, yelling or cooped up horses at this stable. I tend to judge a stable by putting myself in the horse stand point. What do they see? Smell? Do? And it was evident that the peace and serine environment made for a fine place to be in training.

The yard is peppered with horses that are no slouches. Horses such as Russian Radiance, Pasaka Boy and Ikymasho. Everyone taking their place under the watchful eye of the onetime Amateur Jockey.

Free to Rock 'N' Roll

The conclusion, well the lack of words speaks for themselves, not much to say, more to see really. This is a true horseman’s yard, what you see is what you get. The sign on the trainers horse box Leicester bound with three runners, Intimately winning the last. Clearly states ‘Own a racehorse, it’s easier and cheaper than you think’ well, some may argue in the financial terms, but easy, well yes it would be with Jonathan in charge, simple and quality. Or should I rephrase.

Simply quality.

Simply quality.

More images of the vistit, click on the link below

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