WEST BERKSIRE RACING CLUBS VISIT TO SUMMERDOWN HOME OF HUGHIE MORRISON

Hughie Morrison master of Summerdown stables

As horses were beginning to pull out for exercise, I'm introduced to the master of Summerdown, Hughie Morrison mentioned’ great, you can come up to the gallops with me, and have the pleasure of seeing the horses pull out, it’s were the real action is.’

Hughie started to point out horses breeding and racing history as he was legging up the lads and lasses, giving instructions as he got into the Landover. 

Not full of his own self-importance but actually showing an interest in what others had to say. 

You could genuinely felt  that the trainer was interested in your opinions, then made his observations and the conversation continued.

Having worked a few years back in East Ilsley with Kim Bailey myself, many moons ago I mentioned to the Governor that I knew the area when the late Roddy Armytage used to train from the village.

 ‘Ah yes, it’s the same area, same gallops just a different surface, the yard I’m in used to be a barn in those days, Oliver Sherwood building the yard when he started, You’ll probably know the grass gallops they haven't changed, they are proper turf gallops and very good.’

We were going to watch some of Hughie’s two-year-olds work out, some setting foot on the historic turf for the first time. ‘We are lucky to have these facilities; a lot of National hunt trainers ask to use these gallops in the winter.’

The trainer watching and commenting with enthusiasm as his young charges went about their work, each of them known by name by the trainer,who also was fluent in the breeding of his young stock.

The trainer not only showed enthusiasm for his horses but for his work force also. They got great praise and recognition. 

Hughie Morrison  has always spoken highly of the lads and lasses that do the work calling them backbone of racing, and as shown on the journey up to the gallops you could actually see the trainer take interest in what the lads had to say about their rides, 

‘should I run him?’ ‘Am i working her hard enough?’’ where should I run that on next?’  Were all questions Hughie Morrison had to ask his staff, he actually made you feel his yard was a team, and  that the lads and lasses had a hand in training the horses they care for.

Three two year old do a piece of work on the grass gallops

Pre-work up the one mile wood chip surface

‘I’m really lucky than others with staff, it helps being in a village environment, but our ratio of horses to lads or lasses is very good compared to other trainers. It’s very important within the industry.

’

The former assistant trainer to Paul Cole had plenty to talk about racecourses he likes to send runners to, and ones he is not so happy to travel to. 

‘ I like the July course at Newmarket, but the Rowley mile is just a little too bumpy for my liking,they seem to have overwork it a little too much. Windsor and Newbury for the maidens are nice and they are local, but Salisbury racecourse I just cannot get on with.’ These are all subject to opinion, but it must be noted the trainer knows what he likes and dislikes and is well worth listening to.

A tour around  Summerdown stables showed that it consisted of two yards, the upper yard being the homes for the newer arrivals to go under the trainers eye.

The horses all seemed content and relaxed. The staff worked with efficiency and professionalism  which showed this establishment was as professional as all other trainers.

Horses are put in he horse walker before the gallops to stretch

But I feel the last word should go in pictures to the staff of Summerdown whose leader relies and respects what they do so much.

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FAB FOR ROYAL WINDSOR AT EVENING RACING PARTY 16TH MAY 2016

Six races at Windsor, the course in the heart of the Royal County. 

The evening bathed in glorious early summer sunshine horses were being geared towards the royal meeting and group classed races.

The first race of the evening was for three year olds and up, local trainer Clive Cox placing his five-year-old gelding by Haateff in the claiming race for £1200.

Fear or Favour driven home by Adam Kirby in the final furlong switched to the middle of the course for the better ground, this paying dividends as the gelding got the run on Jimmy fortune and Brian Meehan’s Great Fun to land the race by two lengths.

Adam Kirby rides the winner of the first race of the evening

The 7/4 fav for the race already on a win courtesy of a trip to Brighton a few weeks back seems to appreciate the drop in distance and class, the trainer wanting to make the most of the good form while he can with the horse.

No surprise then that the Lambourn resident sent out another runner in the later race, the one mile maiden fillies race this time a little more of a surprise as the three-year-old Your always right ridden this time by John Fahy landed a 12/1 win for the master of Beechdown stables.

The horse owned by Paul and Clare Rooney was represented by their newly employed racing manager Jason Maguire. Recently retired from the national hunt scene. 

Paul and Clare Rooney was represented by their newly employed racing manager Jason Maguire

Trainer Clive cox on a double for the evening

Cox mentioned about the horse, ‘John has given this filly a superb ride out of stall one, she will probably get further has time goes on, she gives me an impression of a mile and a quarter horse.’

The jockey who puts a lot of work into the stable said ‘she is a filly we have always liked, she would want further and she is one that we would not make decisions on too soon.’

Still a nice evenings work from a good trainer not within the Newmarket circle.

Again another winner coming from the Royal county, was in the shape of the aptly named Jule in the crown, ridden by top jockey at present Silvestre De Sousa the Mick Channon two-year-old took on the novice’s fillies race beating Clive Cox’s Barroche by two lengths.

Jule in the crown

The two-year-old that has had an unlucky run at Ascot recently found a much easier time of it at Windsor, the jockey mentioning that she was a very nice filly, and one to get a little excited about. Asked if she was a Royal Ascot contender the champion jockey said,’ we’ll let Mick decide on what to do with her, but she is a very nice type.’ Praise indeed from a jockey that has sat on some very nice young horses in his time.

Time will tell with this daughter of Harbour Watch, but be sure the East Isley trainer knows his two year olds and where to place them for maximum efficiency.

As always at Windsor it is a good place to see rising stars of the future, the first three races being about young and inexperienced horses. And this was no different in the third race of the evening another novices’ race for two year olds, this time to include the colts.

But it was another filly that took the spoils this time not out of the Berkshire area, but heading up north.

Sea of Snow trained at Middleham by Mark Johnston and ridden by Franny Norton a regular to the course made the bookies smile as they beat the 1/5on fav,the Richard Hannon trained Legendary Lunch by half a length.

The Distorted Humor filly seemed to edge left in the final furlong which caused the stewards to look into the race, the jockey mentioning. ‘she is a really tough little filly, she has taken a little look when hitting the front and moved away from the stands a little, but I have no worries about that. She is a nice little filly.’

The 5/1 shot who has already won her maiden seven days previous at the course may be bred for further but has beaten a very nice colt from the Hannon yard, possibly heading for the Epsom meeting and would be one to note as her season develops.

Sea of Snow trained at Middleham by Mark Johnston and ridden by Franny Norton beats Richard Hannons Legendary Lunch

The penultimate one mile three furlong handicap race was taken again to the Lambourn area. This time by new resident trainer and Windsor regular and now trainer Richard Hughes.

Cape Discovery ridden by Shane Kelly stayed on well to beat the Ralph beckett 2/1 fav Green light by a neck on the line.

A gelding that seems to be improving with each run, finally had the running and ground to his liking giving the trainer another win to his fresh tally.

 ‘It’s good to get a winner, but there is no pressure or target or rush anything. As long as everyone is pulling their weight at home I’m happy with the way things are progressing at the moment.’

Cape Discovery, shane Kelly

‘Mr Monday night at Windsor’ as he was known in the weighing room, the jockey now trainer, infamous at the Royal course due to the fact of his successes over the years is a trainer that certainly is heading in the right direction since his move to Lambourn, and one we will see regular in the winners’ enclosure at Windsor.

Cape Discovery and trainer Richard Hughes

The final race of the evening a five-furlong dash handicap for three year olds went to the 13/8 fav Udontdodou. 

Trained by Richard Guest and ridden by Jason Hart the gelding by Fastnet Rock took the far side rail to beat Clive Cox’s Silken Skies by two and a half lengths.

'This is a very nice horse that will improve a lot throughout the season,’ mentioned the jockey. The owners who also owned Udodontu that was second at the Royal Ascot meeting, the jockey mentioning this three-year-old is a better type of horse.

Now winning his handicap this gelding could be Ascot bound in June and could be one to note. The yard obviously thinking highly of him.

As the sun set, the party continued, a Beatles tribute band playing to the enthusiastic crowd looking for a right Royal party.

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THE GRAFTON HUNT AT WHITFIELD RACES 15TH MAY 2016

Great weather and a good crowd, eight races to enjoy looking over the Northamptonshire countryside bathed in yellow. 

The Grafton Hunt point to point at the Whitfield racecourse, the last one of the season gave a chance for trainers looking for near to perfect going for their charges.This Showed as each race was packed with quality and quantity throughout the afternoon.

As usual in most point to point meetings the first race is reserved for a hunt members race, this meeting being no different saw five go to post, last year’s winner of the race Fermat being sent off the 5/2 fav.

With a good pace from the off, the finish saw a true race on the good ground from the last fence, as last year’s winner looking to make a back to back brace of wins was beaten a head on the line by Christopher Henn’s Midnight Monkey ridden by Nick Meek.

Mr John Connell the owner was delighted with the win mentioning that he had been waiting for the better going for most of the season, and coming over the last wasn’t too sure if he was going to get to the line.

‘This course takes more getting than you think, and Nick Meek has ridden a brilliant race on him, getting a breather into him coming down the hill, then allowing him to run up the straight.’

Christopher Henn’s Midnight Monkey ridden by Nick Meek.

The jockey on his best ever season with six winners mentioned he knew the horse well, riding most of his work and schooling.

' I though from two out he didn’t have enough in him to get his head in front, but he got his second wind and took me on from the last. I’m delighted for him as he deserves the win.’

The eight-year-old by Midnight legend will possibly get on the course one more time if a race becomes suitable the owner looking at possibly Chaddersley Corbett in a few weeks’ time.

Midnight Monkey ridden by Nick Meek.

The intermediate race saw the 1/3 on fav She’s Real take on a good field of runners and take the race by four lengths from Franks a Million from the Turner yard.

The eight-year-old mare ridden by  Tom Chatfield-Roberts, owned by his father John and trained by his aunt Helen Connors maintained a good winning run for the season. The only dash in the season being a poor run at the Cheltenham evening hunter chase meeting.

 ‘she settled better today, at Cheltenham she was a bit keen which didn’t help her cause,as a mare you can never really know what she is going to be, but today she did enough to make it tell in the end.’

The family has six horses in training between two stables, and looking to go to the sales in a few weeks’ time to add more to the tally. 

This mare will would also be looking at getting another run into her before the end of the season.

The jockey on nine winners for the season so far mentioned, ‘we didn’t start too early with her for one reason or another, but we have had a lot of fun with her so we would be looking at possibly one more run.’

She’s Real 

A field of seven went to post for the ladies open, Alan hill sending his well run nine year-old gelding Sharp Suit to post the fav for the race.

With Champion lady jockey Gina Andrews on board still looking to keep ahead of her good friend and challenger Clare Hart in the leading female riders championship. 
The horse by leading point to point sire Milan looked the class act and easily put aside the rest of the field coming home three lengths clear of Tabitha Worsely on Major Decision.

Alan hill sending his well run nine year-old gelding Sharp Suit to post the fav for the race.

The horse in Blinkers jumping a little to the right over the last two didn’t seem to bother the in form Andrews who mentioned, 'he has a tendency to do that, that’s’ why we run him on right handed tracks so when he jumps across fences he doesn’t lose too much ground.’

 The horse having run with and without blinkers seems to need them more as the year’s progress. But has been a constant sort of horse from his maidens runs over the years. The jockey mentioning that now he has become a good ladies horse.

Gina mentioned also that from her own yard that the runners are getting thinner on the ground as the season draws to a close.

Sharp Suit 

The next two races, the novice riders race for five year olds and over, and the restricted race were taken by the partnership of trainer Francesca Nimmo and jockey Hugh Nugent.

The first of the quick-fire double Champagne Rian in the novice riders race, the eight-year-old was sent off as favorite to take the thirteen runner event.

‘This horse has run over the past three weekends winning at Chaddersley last week. But we have changed a few things around with this horse, he didn’t like the gallops and a few other things and it has seemed to have worked.’ Mentioned the trainer who has still about a dozen horses in the yard at present.

The jockey mentioning that the horse has just found his form at the moment so it’s really nice to come to the close of the season full of running, the rest of the season being a quite one.

Champagne Rian

Clondaw Island 

Clondaw Island another eight-year-old out of the yard making it a very successful meeting for the trainer and jockey taking the first division of the split restricted race by two lengths form Dunara Castle.

The race run over two and a half miles was run at a strong pace Francesca mentioning’ this horse is a tough sort, the pace was very strong but steady towards the end, that’s helped him a little I think.’

The jockey confirming this by saying from tapes up the rest of the field went a good pace, playing into the gelding’s hands, ‘the race ran to his style of racing really which suited me, I was able to get a second wind into him which bought him home with not many challenging me from behind.’ The jockey who rides out of both Francesca’s and Fred Hutsby’s yard seems to be an amateur that will have plenty of ammunition for the 2016-17. ‘ It’s coming together nicely for the back end of this season for me, next season I will be looking forward to a lot. ‘One for the note books.

Division two of the restricted was taken by Phil York’s seven-year-old mare Gersjoeycasey,beating Rose Grissell’s Barrafohona  in a hard fought finish by a head.

‘she is a nice mare and will come on a lot for her runs,’ mentioned the jockey who turned fifty the week before.

The mare by Milan the top sire at present for pointers already a dual winning horse when winning her maiden at Pepper Harrow in April took the trainer/jockey to his 299^th winning ride of his career the jockey mentioning that he will focus firmly onto his 300^th, then after that it’s 301. 

But rest assures this nobleman of the weighing room will remain focused well into the future with his horses and  with his pending milestone ahead of him will not take his eye off the game.

Phil York’s seven-year-old mare Gersjoeycasey, (left) Tabithia Worsley on Barrafohona (right)

The penultimate race of the afternoon, a maximum runner open maiden was not a place for the faint of heart.  

Fifteen maiden horse went to post, Sam Lee bringing his mother’s Katesoneoneeight home by a commanding ten lengths from the Zac Baker’s ride Gather round.

 Sam Lee bringing his mother’s Katesoneoneeight home

‘He isn’t the straightest forward of a horse to ride’ mentioned the jockey. ‘He gets worked up before the race and during and we seemed to be going a slow pace that I have had to take the running from about a circuit and a half out. But he jumped well today and it’s good to get a win out of him.’

 The young eighteen year old jockey mentioning that when he had his first run he told his mum she should retire him, but she soon told him that he was one of the most constant horses in the yard. Direction the young jockey is most glad he took, and goes to show mums know best.

In his third season riding the young jockey surely knows where he wants to be heading, giving high respect to those with experience in the weighing room, and on nine winners in total now is one of many talented juniors riding between the flags.

Katesoneoneeight 

One for the notebooks in the race would be the charge of Phil Bull, Present Charm a six-year-old by Presenting, third in bottomless ground at Northaw was sent off favorite for the race. Phil mentioning that the runs would have done the young horse no harm at all. One to watch.

The final race of the day was for horses ten years or over, in a conditions race,again a thrilling race to finish off the day.

 Camellia Henderson on board the twelve-year-old Shakalakaboomboom who bough home the veteran a by two lengths form Dicky Collinson on The Admiral Benbow.

Coming to the last you would not of been mistaken to think Collinson on his eleven year old could not lose the race, but a blunder at the last saw the stuffing knocked out of the Andrew Pennock's charge, allowing Henderson and Shak’s to take back the lead.

Coming to the last you would not of been mistaken to think Collinson on his eleven year old could not lose the race, but a blunder at the last saw the stuffing knocked out of the Andrew Pennock's charge,

‘To be honest I thought we had been beaten, we had the same issue here last time out my fella comes to the last, there’s one in front and he has had enough. But to be fair he has stood off the last and that has helped him and he has gone all the way to the line.’ 

The jockey who has just taken her category A amateur licence out really would have liked to take the veteran off to a hunter chase, ‘He is a horse that likes a number of weeks between each race, so the season is running out on us. But next season I have three really nice horses to ride, and with my Cat A out we can go from there.’

The horse ridden in blinkers for the first time ever in his illustrious career had not been into a winner’s enclosure for a number of years, the jockey mentioning that this may have just given him a little boost that he needed.

 ‘I wish the ground was always like this throughout the season, he doesn’t like the soft ground so maybe next year we would not bring him out so early on.’

 Camellia Henderson on board the twelve-year-old Shakalakaboomboom wins the ten year old and over conditions race

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FONTWELL PARK SPRING HUNTERCHASE EVENING 12TH MAY

A superb evening of Hunter chase action at Fontwell park, seven races and entries coming as far as deepest Wales and the mid country.

Quality racing was on offer. 

The first race of the evening a chase over the point to point distance of three miles one furlong, favorite backers did not start off with a profitable evening.

Champion point to point jockey Will Biddick took the 8/13 favorite to post Blazing Whale, whose form showed that he had not been out the first four for many of his races.

Whereas David Kemp's Curraigflemens who has had an inconstant state of form seemed to enjoy the twists and turns of the East Sussex course beating the favorite by Four lengths.

Owner Mr John Ridge mentioned, ‘he’s been a horse with me now for a couple seasons, we ran him in the same race here last year, but it was awful weather and he didn’t show up, this season he has had a few pointing wins so we thought we’d give the race another go.’

Though the track was bathed in evening sunshine, the rain the day before rendered the going good to soft.

The jockey Shane Roach riding his best season so far

The jockey Shane Roach riding his best season so far, rode his first ever winner for the Owner at Parham in April. 

‘It’s great to be riding good horses and getting the wins, I’m grateful to Mr Ridge for giving me my fist point to point and Hunter chase win.’  The Irishman showing his qualities, and now getting the wins would be a rider to watch in forthcoming seasons.

Curraigflemens

The second race of the evening, a shorter trip of two and a half miles was run. but this time the smile was taken off the bookies faces as the 4/favorite Maxi Chop Trained by Rose Loxton and ridden by Stan Sheppard, took on and won the race with great ease. Beating the second placed horse Only Time’ll Tell by twenty-six lengths.

Maxi Chop Trained by Rose Loxton and ridden by Stan Sheppard,

The horse a winner at Newton Abbott seven days before, showed that he can travel well, the jockey mentioning that the drop back in trip had certainly helped his ride. 

‘he has jumped his way to the front, coming around the home turn, I wanted and got the better ground on the inside. The ground is so important to this horse, the distance also helped.’

The jockey who had had thirteen wins under pointing this season, fifteen winners under rules certainly is a jockey for the future, picking up rides of this calibre certainly helps his cause.

Another entry that had traveled a good distance to East Sussex was Miss V Collins horse Gauvain, again against the favorite the Paul Nicholls trained Polisky the fourteen-year-old ridden by Leanda Tickle stayed on strongly to beat the even money favorite in the two and a half mile third race of the evening. 

‘This fella deserves a win, he has come up against one better for the past few runs, he jumps and travels  so well, to be fair in his younger days he was a class two miler, but I’m delighted.’

The jockey who works for Rebecca Curtis mentioned she has had a quite but enjoyable season,

’ I seem to be in the winners enclosure a lot, but not riding.’ The jockey mentioned but seemed to be enjoying her 'in limelight moment' when she can get it.

Gauvain

The owners of the veteran delighted with the win could not contain their excitement, showing the whole of the East Sussex track how much it meant.

The fourth race of the evening was the Open champions hunter chase, a good class field from ex Hennessy winners in Carruthers to quality open race winners in Little Chip and Adept Approach.

But it was the twelve year old The Ferbane man ridden by inform jockey Shane Roche who outclassed the field. 

Trained by new season trainer Petra New who only chalked up her first winner in April at Parham, Roche supplying the riding services then.

Little Chip leads the eventual winner The Ferbane Man over the last

The trainer not to comfortable with media attention mentioned the race hadn't quite sank in but was delighted with the outcome,

'I never though we would get here, the rain at the beginning of the week wasn't going to suit us,but it’s dried up a bit and has given us the ground he loves.’ 

The next for this gelding could be the Berks and bucks meet at Kingston Blount in a few weeks time.

The jockey on his second double of the season is usually a man who shows little emotion, but could not hide his delight on how well things are going.

Shane Roche on his evening double

‘He has seemed to be beat coming to the last, but the third horse behind him has spurred him on to get his second wind and we have flown up the hill, I’m delighted. It’s such a thrill to get on horses like him and I’m pleased for Petra also to train her second winner ever on a professional track is something else.’

The trainer mentioned that she has very few facilities at home,’ I take the horses that will run to Nick Pierces once a week,Shane gets on them there, gives them some work or school, then rides them on the course.’ 

A method and a combination that obviously works, and goes to show that a good horse and talent can come from any corner, and get to the winners enclosure.

The shortest race of the evening a two mile one furlong event went in line of the favorite. Grandioso ridden by Jame King and trained by Steve Flook took the race comfortably from  second placed horse Joker Choker.

The 11/10 favorite showed  that he took the pace and stayed on well to win by three lenghths coming over the last upsides the Nicky Martin’s eleven year old.

Grandioso ridden by Jame King and trained by Steve Flook 

The jockey now on six wins from only eight rides showing that the young lad has had a high strike rate partnership. 

The horse qualified through the Radnor and West Hereford hunt showing that the horses that have traveled for the evenings racing are none the ware from their trip, this ex-Paul Nichols trained horse only winning a couple of days back at Southwell, and probably would be given a little well deserved break from his efforts during the week.

Grandioso ridden by Jame King

If ever you see Sam Davies-Thomas at a meeting you can be sure this quality jockey would have a placed horse or a winner or two. 

That what I put to the young Oxfordshire jockey has he bought home the penultimate winner of the evening Kimora, trained in Newmarket by Louise Allan.

The smallest field of the evening with only five runners, the 11/10 favorite won impressively by ten lengths from Flying Guru. 

The jockey mentioning he had got this spare ride as the trainer who usually rides the mare herself only claimed the 3 lbs and was that light would have to carry a massive amount of dead weight.

 ‘ I took the whole 7 lbs off the horse which really helped.’Mentioned the jockey, ‘ rides start to go a little quite know, but I have had a tremendous season so can't complain, especially when you pick up spare rides like this one.’

 The jockey on twenty two pointing wins with Sam Mathias and William Easterby on the same, is still hungry to claim the second spot from the ever impressive tally of Will Biddick on forty seven wins.

Kimora, trained in Newmarket by Louise Allan, ridden by Sam Davies-Thomas

The final race of the evening went to Wales. David Gibbs bringing his seven year old gelding See U again Son from Pontypridd to take the two and a half mile maiden race by and impressive nineteen lengths.

Bradley Gibbs his son on board the horse seemed to love the challenge of the twists and turns of Fontwell.

See U again Son

The jockey mentioning that he knew when they bought the horse he was a nice type, the form showing through his races confirming that. 

‘ we knew today would be the right race for him, and we were proved correct, we were coming here with a good mare for the mares race, but she had an injury that put pay to that, so we just bough this fella. It’s a long drive down but well worth it.’

The quality maiden made all in his race and showed the rails price of 11/10 was well planned.

The father and son team show no fear in travelling to get there spoils as the jockey said,’ you have to travel to take the best on and see how good your horses are.’ This horse defiantly showing his quality and would be one to watch for next season.

See U again Son from Pontypridd, ridden by Bradley Gibbs

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Playing it safe at royal Windsor evening racing

Controversy at Windsor racecourse surrounded what was to be a classy card of early season flat racing.

Windsor was to stage the first race of their £75,000 sprint series, the final in August, together with the £16,000 listed race the meeting was to be one were trainers could make an early start on their end of season winning tally.

 But it was not to be. 

Looking back in records I cannot see the last time the Berkshire course had abandon racing only three races old, and with Her Majesty in residence in shouting distance of the course, a lot though it a very rum to do.

An evening that started well enough, before racing a Shetland pony race using the final two and half furlongs, all young jockeys donning the royal colours to impress awaited press, the crowds arriving in their evening finery.

 And a first race ran in the relatively dry overcast atmosphere, a five furlongs’ novice’s filly stakes won by Mark Johnston’s Sea of Snow, ridden by James Doyle, in a close fought finish beating Richard Hannons Tiggalisious.

The two-year-old by Distorted Humor out of an Oasis Dream mare, certainly bred to go a little further, Doyle mentioning that the race gave no hiding places for any of the runners, especially this small filly, that showed a good turn of foot.

Sea of Snow (grey colours), ridden by James Doyle

‘I think we would like to get another run in he before we decide on a plan for her.’ Mentioned the jockey who has a big week of big time races in front of him. Riding this Sheikh Hamdan possible improver, a massive start to the week for the young jockey.

As the second race hacked down to the mile two furlongs start, the rain started to cover the Berkshire track. Roger Varian sending to post Central Square the 11/10 favorite for the maiden stakes.

The four-year-old gelding by Azamour took on the race driven by Andrea Atzeni to stay on well to beat Doyle on charge for a quick double on Hugo Palmer's Paris Magic. 

‘He is a nice laid back sort, that needs a bit more of a galloping track really, over a mile and half he might be one to pick up a decent prize,’ The jockey already sowing a few doubts in racegoers minds that the home bend that would cause controversy later on mentioning the gelding had felt uncomfortable as they turned toward home.

Central Square

The jockey with a nice book of rides for the week, was looking forward to finding out a little more about Choreographer his ride in the group two Dante on Thursday. The well-built colt by See the Stars that took his maiden at Windsor and would be looking to improve.

The rain continued a little more dominantly during the third race, a one mile two-furlong handicap for three year olds. But not hard enough to wilt the Charles Hills colt Grapevine ridden by Michael Murphy.

The home bend now showing a little more concern as the leader stumbling slightly as he turned for home.

 ‘The bend is very slippy at the moment, but the horse was well balanced so he managed to keep going forward.’ 

Grapevine No6 ridden by Michael Murphy.

The trainer who had a very promising Chester the previous week mentioned that he was a nice horse that had done well to keep on his feet

Charles Hills colt Grapevine  who won the one mile two furlong handicap

The concerns of the winning jockey and of others who had also found pulling up on the sharp right handed bend a little tricky, was enough to send trainers, jockeys, stewards and safety officers down to the affected parts to check the state of the ground. 

An inquiry was held as some showed astonishment in the length of time it took to make what they though were a forgone conclusion.

Racing was abandoned, reports that most of the jockeys were happy to ride in the fourth, the six furlong sprint challenge, were quashed by stipendiary steward Richard Westropp who mentioned in the safety of all in concern we have put measures in place to abandon the meeting.

The cause, a slippy surface on the home turn and the pull up area, were the grass was short enough not to allow the horses gain their grip. The conclusion the right one.

Of course there will be racegoers and professionals on both sides of the fence, controversy, plenty.  But to be fair to say all live to take on another day, the only causality being the meeting itself.

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