300 TO WIN, DOUBLE TO GET, KINGSTON BLOUNTS FAREWELL TO THE 2015/16 SEASON 29-5-16

Phil bull after joining the illustrious 300th winner club at Kingston Blount

In the final big 'hoorah' of the 2015-6 season Kingston Blount offered a superb eight race card that saw the fast ground seekers delight in the racing conditions. The well-watered surface gave a safe and natural option for the runners to let their heads down and run which resulted in some quality races together with some pointing history making the entry fee well spent for the good crowd attending the Oxfordshire course.

The no nonsense Phil Bull who rode his first winner in 1995, is a man who novice riders to the pointing game look up to, never shy in giving advice, probably if asked or not the recently turned fifty-year-old had been looking for a few weeks for his 300^th winner, his 299^th winner coming in a double at the last Kingston Blount meet. 

The statesman of the weighing room bought home 1/3 on fav Merrydown Vintage by twenty lengths to take the Berks and Bucks Draghounds members race. 

‘I’m looking at the 301^st winner know,’ mentioned the jockey, trainer and owner, why if you knew him would know it was normal for the man not to get too light headed about his milestone reached.

Merrydown Vintage, Phil Yorks 300th winner

‘This horse loves this course, he jumps really well here to be fair,but he is a good jumper anyway.’ Asked if the admiration from those in the weighing room who came out to cheer in the horse and jockey to the winners enclosure meant more to him that the 300^th reached,’ No, they do that to annoy me, they know I’m a miserable bugger.’ 

The trainer in him mentioned he has very little left know in the yard for the last few weeks of the season, concentrating on looking for new blood for the new season, and sorting out the weaker horses. Which shows the man has no plans of hanging up the boots yet. 

Always looking for quality and always looking for the next winner.

The PPORA members race for novice riders run over two mile five furlongs was also won by a trainer acknowledged as one of the masters of the point to point field. 

Tim Underwood sending Tempelpirate down to post, a winner here last meeting with Joe Hill on board now with Young Ben Hicks in the plate to take the nine-year-old home in front of Alan Hills Ravethebrave.

‘It’s so nice to get on a horse of his ability, he gets the shorter distance well despite doing his winning over the three miles,’ mentioned the jockey. The horse in his second run from a two-year layoff seemed to answer any questions in the ability and fitness of the horse,and confirm the training ability of Tim Underwood.

The Lambourn master with a good mix of young and experienced horses in the yard is a short hop and a skip over from Warren Greatrex’s yard where Ben rides out from, ‘ It’s good to get experience on these types of horses, I have had a few rides for the Guvnor and hope to grow on that for next season.’

 Certainly riding for the likes of Mr Underwood the young jockey could not go wrong, the trainer incidentally donning his riding boots later in the afternoon for an end of season spin around the Oxfordshire course.

Tim Underwood sending Tempelpirate down to post, a winner here last meeting with Joe Hill on board now with Young Ben Hicks in the plate

The intermediate race was taken in fine style by the Thomas Gallagher trained Mr Raj by three lengths from Alan Hills Velvet Cognac.

Ridden by one of the most stylish amateurs on the point to point scene Sam Davies Thomas the eight-year-old seemed to run on well from two out to take the young Local based jockey to his best tally of winners since taking the plate.

Coming around the bend the eight-year-old who was third in the last race at the Fontwell's hunter chase evening meeting, was full of running, Davies Thomas mentioning that the horse had won the race easily.

 'He has had a tongue tie on for the first time today that and the better ground suited him.’ The horse that has won on staying and galloping tracks showed how versatile he could be, giving the trainer a better finish to the season than that at the start.

Thomas Gallagher trained Mr Raj (far-side) by three lengths from Alan Hills Velvet Cognac.

The jockey who is now being picked up by many good owners and trainers for spare rides still has is feet planted firmly on the ground, well for the moment anyway as he is the main instigator for a charity skydive, where Sam and nine other point to point jockeys take to the sky the day after the final meeting at Umberleigh on the 11^th June.

‘We go to 15’000ft and strapped to an instructor, it’s for a very worthwhile charity, and I’m looking forward to it really.’ The group already over the £5’000 mark with donations.

Those wanting to donate can do by going to the Just giving page and type in Point to Point end of season skydive.

High flying Sam Davies-Thomas on Mr Raj

The men’s open was run at a hard pace, with Alan Hills Consigliere one of only three to finish the course winning the race.

 Jockey Joe hill mentioned,’ this horse is a great superstar, he is such a nice ride, it’s either myself or dad who rides him at home, Victoria Pendleton has schooled him twice this week and loves him, we are so lucky to have a horse like him in the yard.’

The veteran at thirteen now seemed to run and jump for fun pulling away from the other two finishers with ease. 

The trainer now only a few winners off the top owners spot would not be blamed to run this Trempolino gelding again before the seasons out to gain the crown.

‘He never seems to be out of a hack canter this fella, that was a quick time out there today and he had another gear if I wanted it. To win on the first day of the season and still be winning at the end shows his quality, I love him to bits.’

Since speaking to Joe throughout the season it clearly shows how much he feels about the horses he rides, he is so enthusiastic about them, and it is clear when you speak to him he actually cares about his charges. This boy has a great future in front of him.

Alan Hills Consigliere

The ladies open gave the Kingston Blount crowd something to shout about. Two of the top female amateurs on the circuit battling it out over the last and to the line.

Clare Hart on Fran Marriott’s Dabinett Moon looking the winner coming around the home turn was soon caught and challenged by the champion female jockey elect Gina Andrews on Top smart trained by Jenny Pidgeon. 

‘he is such a brave horse at the last, I didn’t think we would win coming to the turn but he has such class it saw him to the line. He didn’t give me a feel he gave me when we won at Garthorpe but I think he is a tricky one to train he has some class about him and has beaten a very nice mare in Dabinett Moon.’

The runner up in the ladies’ jockeys standings came in thrilled with her eight-year-old Midnight legend mare, mentioning that she was a very nice type indeed.

Gina Andrews on Top smart trained by Jenny Pidgeon.

The restricted again was taken in fine style, out of a yard that seems to have stuck a seem of gold lately.

Lisnagar Star trained by Francesca Nimmo, ridden by Joe Jackson-Stops used all his reserves to take the last and get to the line beating Phil York looking for his 301^st winner by a length.

Phil York on Deise went a good pace well out in front, and from three out looked to all purpose to have given the rest of the field the slip. But the head strong eight-year-old soon tired leaving the winner to challenge and take the race close to the finish. 

‘We knew Phil would go off in front, as he said he had difficulty holding him,but I also knew I couldn’t let him go too far off in order to catch up.’ 

The owner-jockey giving full praise to the trainer mentioning. ‘Fran’s father has always like this horse, it is great credit to them to get him this far,it’s a lovely yard to be involved with at the moment, most weekends we are coming back with a winner and after a slow burner of a start to the season it’s good to be around.’ 

The Kalanisi eight-year-old may go on to the last meeting of the year if coming out the race well, and if the ground is riding on the fast side would be one to put in a repeat performance.

 After that a possible trip under rules throughout the summer could be on the cards for the top of the ground specialist.

Lisnagar Star trained by Francesca Nimmo, ridden by Joe Jackson-Stops

The final race of the day was split into two divisions, the open maiden saw a mixed bag of runners  go to post. Division one being taken by the winning combination of Thomas Gallagher and Sam Davies Thomas and Annie Jordan.

‘I’m so please for the trainer,’ mentioned the inform young jockey. ‘It’s my first season riding for Thomas and we seem to be hitting it off, he is so relaxed.’ 

The five-year-old mare seemed very much the novice as she came around the home turn, and seems to be a horse that has a lot of improving to do. ‘she was runner up to a nice horse in Nandini a few weeks back here, but has a lot of growing to do,she has done that today on pure guts and talent so she is a nice one for the future.’ 

The trainer who has about a dozen horses in his charge seems to have found like Francesca Nimmo a pinch of form at present. Losing few horses at the start of the season, the jockey commenting on how professional the Gallagher yard works.

winning combination of Thomas Gallagher and Sam Davies Thomas and Annie Jordan.

 first winner for Blacksmith rider Mark Clark on Lord Aldervale trained by David Boxall in East Sussex

Division two of the open maiden was a first winner for Blacksmith rider Mark Clark on Lord Aldervale trained by David Boxall in East Sussex. 

The open maiden unlike the first division turned into a race from two fences out Fred Hutsby’s Kinlochspelve and Jack Andrews on board Phillys Vinnie challenging. 

‘This horse of mine is one paced but at a high pace so I wanted to kick early as I knew if we sprinted at the final throw I’d be beaten,’ mentioned the winning jockey.

Mark who was delighted with his first winner had put plenty of thought into how to ride the race,’ we knew when to kick with what we had in the horse and it worked, I spoke to David about this after I was third on him at Pepper Harrow on different ground, so we had plan. The two that challenged me gave me a helping hand actually as they kept him interested, he is a handful pulling up actually and was today.’

It says a winner will come to those that wait, and the jockey has certainly been patient. Always having horses at home and usually riding his own the jockey mentioned in ten years of riding it was good to get a winner,’ I’m grateful to David in putting me up on someone else’s horses, I’m not a big time jockey so it is an honor for me.’ The jockey mentioning, he would still be riding out in the morning.

The horse like most of us will be off on his summer holidays, and well deserved. 

The course, know packed away until next season when a new string of winners and almost s will grace the Oxfordshire track.

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LISTED RACE ACTION AT WINDSOR RACECOURSE, MONDAY NIGHTS RACING 23-5-16

Quality racing in late May at the Royal Berkshire course. Seven races, top quality action and a good size attendance saw a listed race in the Weatherbys private bank leisure stakes for three year olds plus over six furlongs, and the first of the Windsor sprint series races, again over six furlongs.

The first race of the seven, a two-year-old novices stakes went to the 2/1 fav of the contest Barrington. 

Trained by Charlie Hills ridden by Daryll Holland the two-year-old colt by Cassamento out of an Exceed and Excel mare made light work of the Windsor straight from the final furlong beating Eve Johnson Houghton’s Super Julius by six lengths.

Barrington trained by Charlie Hills ridden by Daryll Holland

The jockey mentioned that the colt would deserve a run at Royal Ascot on his form. 

The horse named after the trainers father the great Barry Hills commented,’ He has time to spare now before the Royal meeting, so that could be a possibility, he is a very nice improving sort we like him a lot.’

A possible Windsor Castle stakes contender maybe in the making on the first day I think. The only other option would be the Norfolk, a group two race, if going for this the trainer would really like this improving sprinter.

The maiden six furlong race for three year olds was won by the William Jarvis trained Cold Snap, ridden by Robert Havlin. The horse originally trained by the by James Toller, who handed in his training licence at the end of last season, finding it hard to continue viably with a small string in Newmarket beat the favorite He’s my Cracker trained by the inform Clive Cox by three quarters of a length.

The jockey mentioned, ‘he traveled really nicely, at Lingfield he was very green and this horse has  learnt each time he steps on the racecourse.’ 

The three-year-old by Medicean is looking like a horse that that will be a very nice handicapper when his schooling is complete, and is one that the trainer likes. 

‘He is a very nice horse,’ mentioned William Jarvis who paid tribute to the training of the colt as a two-year-old by James Toller.’ James trained his as a two-year-old and looked after him, so he could come out as a nice three-year-old. If his mind stays right he may make more than a handicapper, but we will see but he is a pleasure to have in the yard.’

 One of the longest serving trainers to come out of Flat Racings H.Q is certainly not one to get light headed too soon with his charges, mentioning ‘we must look forward into the future, not at the past,’ which would be code for wait and see with this three-year-old.

William Jarvis trained Cold Snap, ridden by Robert Havlin.

The third race of the evening a mile handicap for three year olds saw David Evans who is a regular to the winners enclosure at Windsor saddle his gelding Outback Ruler to take the race from Michael Stouts Impediment by two lengths.  

The gelding by Aussie rules certainly turned things upside down as the 14/1 shot stayed on well in the final furlong to take the race under the ride of Shane Kelly, ‘we put a tongue tie on him today that has worked a treat, he has come home really nicely for me.’ 

A lot of changes on the horse from his previous below par run at Chester last time out, not only on the horse but the surface and distance. ‘He ran at Chester last time out as the owner comes from the area and wanted a runner, we knew the race was a little too short for him, but we gave him a go and Mrs Barnes a day out.' Mentioned the trainer. 'We found out he was having trouble breathing so we have put the tongue tie on him and he has won a little too well tonight really, so we would have to look at running him off that form sooner rather than later, I’d like to go the Chester for the owner again we’ll see.’ Both trainer and jockey mentioning the horse would get the mile and quarter.

Outback Ruler

The main race of the evening, a six furlongs listed event saw James Fanshaw send his four year old gelding by Equanio to post the 3/1 fav.

The Tin Man ridden by Tom Queally ran on strongly in the final furlong beating David O’Meara’s Watchable who finished a good fifth in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot last year by two lengths. Queally mentioned ‘He hasn’t had the greatest of preparations to the race, but he has come here fit, and will come on a lot for the run, he is a very nice horse.’ The horse owned by Fred Archer racing and indicative started by the trainer’s wife is a horse that could be something special  Royal Ascot being his next objective.

 ‘I’m relieved to get today out of the way, due to his preparation,’ mentioned the trainer. ‘This is a very nice horse that has been lightly raced, so we are happy to have one of his type in the yard.’ The fourth placed champions sprint race horse possible race for the royal meeting being the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, his preparation right on form to take his goal.

The Tin Man, owned by Fred Archer racing

The new initiative at the Royal Berkshire course this season in its 150^th year is the sprint series handicap. A nine race qualifier for a £75’000 final held at the course in August.

The first race of the qualifiers being postponed due to the abandonment of the Windsor meeting a few weeks’ back; this race was to be the first race held at the course for the event.

Eleven runners for the race saw local in form trainer Clive cox take the race with his grey gelding Ice Lord by a length from Michael Blanchard’s Stellarta.

Ice Lord, ridden by Adam Kirby

Ridden by Adam Kirby who mentioned the ground was just right for horse, his run at Ascot at the beginning of the month on ground a little too quick for the four-year-old. 

‘He is a nice horse and has run on for me well in the end, we like this horse a lot and he is an exciting horse for the future.’  Certainly the big prize in late summer could be a goal for this horse if the ground is on the softer side of good, he could be a contender.

Eleven runners for the race saw local in form trainer Clive cox take the race with his grey gelding Ice Lord by a length from Michael Blanchard’s Stellarta.

The final two races were taken in fine style by Jockey Andrea Atzeni,lying in second place in the jockeys championship to champion jockey Silvestre De Sousa  without a winner for the evening despite his quick dash from the Leicester meeting. 

The twenty five year old Sardinian took the maiden auction race on the Marco Botti’s Rockspirit beating the 5/4 fav Hepplewhite ridden by top apprentice Tom Marquand.

The three-year-old gelding by Fastnet Rock looks a very nice type of horse Andrea mentioning,’ he traveled well for me and won his race nicely in the end, he would be a horse that would want a mile and a half really.’

Marco Botti’s Rockspirit

The second of the jockey’s winners was for Charlie Fellowe's on his four-year-old Baadi in the one mile three furlongs Handicap. 

The 5/2 fav stayed on well to beat Jamie Spencer on Zambeasy by three quarters of a length. All horses in the last electing to spread the width of the Windsor track to find the better going.

Baadi

The gelding by Dansili already a winner at the track taking a maiden race a few weeks back seemed to relish the quicker ground, 

'we were a bit concerned about the going but Andrea mentioned he had handled the going better that he did a few weeks ago here, so as long as it was not too firm we wouldn’t mind running him on such a surface.’ 

The trainer also mentioned that he thought the horse may be looking for a longer trip in distance. 

‘ I haven’t looked past today with him and he is still on a  learning curve, but we have found out more about him today, he  is a horse that will never win by a big margin, but a nice horse all the same.’ 

A horse that will always make you ride on the seat of your pants as a backer, but a nice improving sort to boot and would be one to jot down in the note books as a one to follow.

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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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