WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WINDSOR SEEING RED FOR AN AFTERNOON

A weird presence over the Royal Berkshire racecourse Windsor for their penultimate race meeting of 2017.
Red skies and a somber mood greeted all that gathered by the Thames to watch eight races before the weekend were just down the road at Ascot the best of the best take battle in the most glorious of settings. All racing waits with baited breath for  cheer in a week that one of our own within the industry has been taken from us, the pain still showing on all that like the late Ken Dooley, love this industry of the sport of kings.
What remained of storm Ophelia showing it's hand from the start, and throughout the meeting sure had the racegoers talking, were the afternoon kicked off with a ten runner two year old nursery over the dash five furlongs.
Adulate from the Hugo Palmer yard showed promise on the boards halving it's price slashed from 10/1 to 5/1 as they went to post.
But it was Ed Dunlop who sent 3/1 favorite Global Exceed for his ninth run winning  a month back at Lingfield to claim his second victory, the Exceed and Excel colt beating Mick Channon's Aquadabra by half a length.

Global Exceed (left) fbeating Mick Channon's Aquadabra (right) .

Ridden by Adam Kirby who loves to ride at this Berkshire figure of eight track mentioned.'He's a bit quirky this one, and would probably suit six furlongs better, he is talented and was good for him to get the win today.'
The jockey who rides Harry Angle at the weekend for Windsor favorite trainer Clive Cox in the Champions Sprint mentioned the horse was in great form and ready to take on the mighty Aiden O'Brien and Commonwealth stakes winner Cararvaggio.

Global Exceed

This two year old in the mean time,Ed Dunlop the trainer was quoted he love to keep in the yard would be one to watch.

The pride of Biffa Handicap over one mile two furlongs for three year olds, would of been a poignant race if one horse could of got in the winner enclosure.
The horse from the Amanda Perrett yard Intermodel could only manage to beat one and was a horse that was cared for by Ken Dooley who sadly lost his life at Kempton Park on Friday evening.

Intermodel

I didn't know Ken personally but I as many around the world were saddened to hear about his death  and the people who did know him mentioned he was a man who loved his industry, as we all do. It's at these times that racing shows it's true colours. If one person hurts we all do, and show great strength is sticking together and working things through. I would like to add as many around the world my condolences to the family,friends and work colleagues that are hurting at this time.

The race result went to Jus Pires, trained in Newmarket by Jeremy Noseda and ridden by Sean Levey who pushed out the Scat Daddy three year old to get his nose in front of second placed Lime and Lemon from Lambourn trained Clive Cox.

Angry skies as Jus Pires wins the Biffa Handicap over the Windsor one mile two furlongs

The horse at post at 8/1 seemed to hang slightly left for Levey who mentioned,'it was very close on the  line but he has just made the effort at the line to stick his nose out, that was my first ride for the trainer which i was delighted to to take this morning. There wasn't too much pace in the race so was happy just to sit off with this one and he had probably taken it up sooner rather than he wanted, but he gallops all the way to the line and stuck it out.'

Jus Pires, third placed Sparte Quercus and runner up Lime and Lemon

The colt now two wins from four starts has all the ingredients to go forward that is for sure and has surely made progress thus far. He would be one to watch as lightly raced as a two and three year old, and still possibly has a lot more to come.

The six furlongs two year olds novices stakes went to 11/10 favorite from the Richard Hannon yard All Out.
The fillies who have been on blistering form this season against the colts, showed again the strength  as the Acclamation filly out of a mare by Mark of Esteem seemed to be all but closed out at the two pole but as shaken up by Tom Marquand the filly backed up her maiden win at Nottingham fourteen days back got up on the line to beat the fancied Global Tango from the Charles Hill yard.
'This filly is still very green really,' mentioned Marquand.'She has backed up her win from Nottingham where she was also green and you would not have thought she could win. But she has improved that's the main thing but still has a lot more education to come.'
The form this filly has showed so far this two year old may have a black type of a future ahead. Well bred out of a mare who was a granddaughter to the great  Time Charter who herself was not inclined in giving her male counterparts a bit of a pasting .
This filly must be one to highlight in the form books for next season to pick up a decent prize for owner Robert Barnett.

All Out, (right) comes upsides Global Tango (left)  to take the six furlongs year olds novices stakes

Half way through the eight race card, and we come to a one mile three furlong fillies only handicap. Nine runners to post, Eve Johnson-Houghton sending her charge down to the start the 15/8 favorite.
Again a close fought contest the bookies relishing the 16/1 winner beating the favorite into third by a length and a neck. the David Probert ridden hidden steps in the famous black with gold cross colours of  Paul Melon now with Kingclere Racing stayed on gamely to beat off the favorite and runner up Clef from the Richard Fahey yard.
The three year old by Footstepsinthesand out of a Haaffid mare could only manage a fifth in the Cheshire oaks behind Enable last time out in May and only having one other run in an one hundred and fifty nine day break from a racecourse at Haydock in her maiden handicap running a disappointing fifth of five seemed to have come on for her runs this time getting her nose in front.

hidden steps, Clef and Killay

'Her step back to a mile today has  has helped this filly out, and was a nice surprise for the win today, she has run a little green looking around her, I've allowed her to run along and she has galloped nicely up to the line.'
The trainer who is looking forward to the weekend where Beat the Bank goes in the Queen Elizabeth stakes mentioned she has deserved to win her race today. Of his fancied Ascot runner?  well he certainly going in the right direction. 'It will depend on what rain we have up to the weekend really, but he always looked a nice sort since we have had him at home, but we have a high benchmark to beat in Ribchester but each time we put him up a class he comes up trumps.'
This filly though also has not not been afraid of taking on a big race and maybe one to note for next season. A filly that's looks like she runs better when fresh could be one to watch for next season.

hidden steps keeps at bay Clef  in the one mile three furlong fillies handicap

The three year old one mile three handicap with ten runners to post this time pleased favorite backers of the Roger Varien trained Zeelander with Andrea Atzeni in the saddle. Bought to take an interest in the race two furlongs out the three year old by Dubawi out of a Barathea mare at post the 11/10 favorite stayed on well towards the end despite hanging slightly left as he was asked to take it up, the jockey mentioning, 'The track has suited this one, he has run a little green but still has a lot more to come really, he hasn't had a great deal of experience but today once organized he was happy to go forward and take his race.' Only the colts fourth run this one could be one to improve for a Winters rest. Well bred, his mother being a granddaughter to French Oaks winner Dunette this horse could have a promising four year old future and should be one to note.

Zeelander leads second and third placed horses Orin Swift (2nd) on the left and Hawridge Glory (middle) in 3rd

Zeelander

The Ben Woolacott memorial handicap had a good sized fourteen to post for the six furlong trip. The bookies if smarting from paying out on the last race certainly had their revenge in this, the last sprint of the day.
A drifter in the market Paddy Power trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by previous champion jockey on the flat Paul Hanagan went off from the stalls at 8/1 opening in the morning at 9/2.
Mid division for much of the way the four year old Pivotal gelding though hanging away from the stands a little held on well in the final strides beating Buccaneers Vault by a length.

'This horse suits a strong gallop and that's what he got here , he loved it here today. The trainer is having a great season and as always it has been great being a part of his team.'
The horse now on four wins from twenty six starts with his second win on the bounce the last being at a more local track to the trainer  Pontefract could well be seen on turf with a quick turn before the end of the season, but certainly made his mark down south at Windsor , the first three home in fact not below the 7/1 mark showed how wide open this contest was.

The Ben Woolacott memorial handicap won by Paddy Power

The final two races a two division one mile maiden  for three year old and upwards. Nineteen runners split between the two divisions, the first of which had nine to post the favorite being  Paradise Lake from the Newmarket base of Sir Micheal Stout.
The favorite just missing out though by a neck to the victorious Spanish History  trained by Seamus Durack an ridden by Shane Kelly.

Spanish History (nearside) across the line with on the far side runner up Paradise Lake

A large contingent of owners being the Andrew Wyke & ownaracehorse must of picked up and carried their Street Cry gelding out of a Cape Cross mare over the line with enthusiasm and is sure for something to look forward to in the future.
'He's a big weak raw type of horse at the moment that certainly needs a trip,' mentioned Kelly. 'He'd make a better hurdler for sure.'
The trainer confirming that he would probably give the gelding a chance now and put him away to strengthen for next year, note should be taken with the information given if seeing this one return under rules. Could we see this one in a bumper or novices hurdle at Fontwell next spring? one to keep tabs on i feel.
Division two of this mile maiden, ten runners went to post. Whereas in the previous division there were no market movers, this division  rolled out the Kevin Ryan trained Jamie Spencer ridden Sacred way from 13/2 into 7/2 but could only manage a seven length third spot to the eventual winner of the final race of the afternoon Crimson Rosette from the Charlie Fellows yard ridden by Stevie Donohoe.

 Crimson Rosette

Owned by Anthony Oppenheimer starting off his week well, hopefully ending the week with a more stylish  win in the Champion stakes at Ascot with Cracksman. 'It Has not really been a great season for us this year,' mentioned the trainer, 'This filly has been a example that the dice just have not rolled our way, after this fillies maiden at Newmarket were she was beaten by two horses rated over 100 was very promising. She ran at York, slipped coming out of the stalls and i feel she picked up a little injury so it was nice to get her here for the end of the season and get a win into her.If there is a little listed race somewhere we may just have a crack in that because i think she is a nice filly, and for a small trainer like myself to have a horse let alone a winner for Mr Oppenheimer is great.'
The breeding suggests this filly may just need  time to grow into herself the jockey mentioning that he has always liked her,the win doing her a power of good, he also felt the daughter of Teofilo would get further in time.
This filly is certainly one to watch, as mentioned at the beginning of the blog the sport of kings is an industry with it's up's and downs, the trainer not having a good season this year, well next year with this filly we have been warned. Underline her, keep her warm through the winter and watch what grows next summer.

'He's a big weak raw type of horse at the moment that certainly need a trip,' mentioned Kelly. 'He'd make a better hurdler for sure.'

The jockey mentioning that he has always liked her,the win doing her a power of good, he also felt the daughter of Teofilo would get further in time. 

Only one more meeting to go for 2007 at Royal Windsor before she is put to bed for the winter. The season starting off at the Berkshire course bumpy, but certainly the last few meetings have involved some good steady racing, this meeting being no exception. The last meeting all being well being blogged for WWW.MJAYPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK.

WINTER WINDSOR'S OKTOBERFEST EIGHT RACE HALT DEINE LEDERHOSEN FEST

Oktoberfest Ompa at Windsor

After successful two day national hunt meeting at Fontwell Park for Oktoberfest. Arc decided to take it's branded festival northwards towards Berkshire were Royal Windsor holds it's last few meetings for 2017.
The ground having a months breather from racing looked in good form for an eight race card that started with a two year old nursery handicap over the one mile three furlongs.
2/1 favorite Simpson from the Ed walker yard looked the well backed horse coming in from the morning's 9/2 on offer, confidence as a win a month back at the course and distance swayed a good range of punters in house for the Monday Afternoons meet.

Motown Mick  leads Shaherezada to his right, third place Simpson(red cap) behind

 But it was the 7-1 shot Motown Mick trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by Timmy Murphy who rallied on well despite moving away from the rail a little to beat Shaherezada  by a neck the favorite Simpson a further length back in third off the top weight of 9 st 7 lbs.
'This horse just got the six furlongs at Chepstow and i mentioned to Richard that he would be better over the mile, he didn't really get going until he met the rising ground. He has done it well enough though and is a nice type.'
The two year old by Inktihab out of a Observatory mare now with two wins from five starts seems to have now found it's distance and maybe a useful three year old in the making.

Motown Mick Timmy Murphy

The one mile two furlongs claiming stakes went to the yard of Graeme McPherson. 11/1 shot Unsuspected Girl was the unsuspected winner beating the Richard Hannon 11/10 favorite by three lengths.
The four year old by Rip Van Winkle out of a Halling mare recorded his third victory in sixteen starts, ridden by Luke Morris made his way through the field from a poor start, taking up the race two furlongs out.
'She ran on well throughout the race really, we rode her a little more positively today, other runs we have held her back, today's tactics though has worked.' Off a weight of 8 st 5 lbs and off a rating of 64 this filly, though unsuspected by the punters on paper looked like a horse that should have gone off at shorter odds
Claimed after the race for £4000 by Milton Bradley this maybe a filly that we may see throughout the jump season. Well and strongly ridden by Morris this one would at best be one to observe for the moment.

Unsuspected Girl

The EBF British stallions novice stakes over the one mile three furlongs, opened up a nice contest for some interesting two year olds for late on in the season. Al Shaqab Racing bought out a nice colt by Iffraaj  out of a Dansili mare in the shape of  Delsheer  from the Hugo Palmer yard.The youngster not having the smoothest of paths through had the lead for most, headed and took up the front  near to home to beat Celestin's from the William Haggas yard.

James Doyle on board the colt mentioned.

'He was pricking his ears a little in front and that's why the second horse came to him, but soon as he was joined by him he went on again, but he's a nice sort with plenty to come i feel.'
The colt well backed from 9/2 to 15/8 favorite just teased the favorite followers a little but would certainly be a colt to follow as a three year old. He stays the mile three furlongs and only with three runs under his belt in fair company, only once out of the placings is lightly raced as a two year old. One to to note for sure this one i would say.
James Doyle also reported on his 11/2 ride in the Champions stakes horse Barney Roy that he was going to work him at Kempton in he morning. ' We knew we got it wrong a little wrong in the Juddmonte stakes to be fair, this time we will revert back to his usuale way of running and hope for the best.'

Delsheer (right) takes up the race from Celestin's from the William Haggas yard.

The six furlong maiden race saw Henry Candy saddle the 9/1 shot Our Oystercatcher again in a race with a battle to the line the three year old by Pastoral Pursuits on his first run beating  the 7/4 favorite Holiday Girl by a short head.
The ever talented Alan Kirby in the saddle mentioned 'he has a lot of fire in him this one, if he goes the right way he will have a nice future in front of him for sure.He ran green but should improve for sure.'
Owned by Mrs Veasey who certainly over the years knows what to look for in a good horse mentioned 'The colours he runs in are my grandfathers and we name all our horse after seabirds.' This one certainly took flight from the nest and is surely one to be well highlighted in the note books.

Our Oystercatcher (centre) takes up the race from Holiday Girl on his left and third place Zilza on the right

Our Oystercatcher and Holiday Girl

The feature race of the day, a three year old one mile three furlong class three handicap with £7246 going to the winner was taken by the favorite Solar Cross from the Roger Charlton yard. Ridden by Harry Bentley the See the Stars three year old at post the 7/2 priced favorite.

Solar Cross from the Roger Charlton yard. Ridden by Harry Bentley

'This horse gallops and gallops to be fair, i really wanted to get him up towards the front really, once there i could slow the pace down a bit and kick on again, he stays for sure just a bit one paced really.'
The gelding with two wins from seven runs doing enough to take the race from  Zamperini from the  Mike Murphy yard.
A well bred individual being out of a mare by Mark of Esteem and lightly raced as a two year old  and taking two wins from five races as a three year old this one may just catch the eye now winning a race with a little more to it, one to watch out for and could pick up again a nice handicap in the future.

Solar Cross 

The Marstons Handicap over a mile three furlongs with ten runners to post saw Dragons Voice roar over the line for Philip Hide giving Harry Bentley a follow up from Solar Cross in the previous race.
The 9/2 shot not taking a race since his last win at the Berkshire course in July then going off the favorite seemed to take the race comfortably after being asked questions a furlong out, being backed from 9/1 into 11/2.

Both trainer and jockey liked the Poets's Voice gelding.'He has picked up nicely for me, the ground and a good even gallop really suited him today, he hasn't ran that well his last few runs but today it was good to get back to winning ways.'
The horse owned by Heart of the south racing who's colours  you see in both racing disciplines may have to wait for next season to see their three time winner back out on the track.
Trainer Phillip Hide mentioning,' he was really good today but we will probably look after him and bring him back next season. He has won three for us this year, to be fair at the beginning of the season i would not have thought that of him, he is a soft ground  horse that will possible win more next season.

Dragons Voice (near side) strides out to take The Marstons Handicap from Amy Murphy's Ghalib

The final two races saw a split division in the six furlong Prince Luitpold amateur riders handicap.
The current Prince Luitpold at Windsor for the afternoons racing saw two strong amateur races the first division being taken by Nutini ridden by Stuart Walker who has twenty four wins under his belt  from one hundred and three rides.

Nutini 

 The second division being taken by Arcanista ridden by Miles Harris on his first winner from only three rides

Arcanista

The 11/10 favorite ridden by Stuart Walker Nutini ran well clear from a furlong out, trained by Malcolm Saunders the four year old on his inaugural win from fourteen starts looked well suited by the distance and 11 st 4 lbs to carry. 'He stays every yard of the distance and could probably go further.'
The trainer mentioning that he got this horse from Ireland and had probably had a disturbed journey over. 'He has taken his time to get right again and  at home dos'nt really show you that much on the gallops, he dos'nt give you the impression of being a  sprinter but Steve Drowne got off him last time at a mile and said try him over shorter, so here we are and it's worked.'
The money was on this gelding for sure and proved right for the punters, maybe not so much of  good opening price next time but a horse that may just now have found his calling.

Division two of the Amateurs sprint Miles Harris on Arcanista had his filly drifting right towards the line after taking up the race inside the final furlong to deny Stuart Walker his double, the previous races winning jockey three lengths back in second on  Cruise tothelimit.
The four year old filly on her first win from twenty eight starts off at 6/1 gave the owner/rider his first win from three rides , the trainer from Newmarket Chris Dwyer notching up his eighty first training victory.
The eighteen year old at James Tate's yard mentioned,' I have done my time at the British racing school, then worked in jump yards after, Neil Mulholland's and Seamus Mullins's before coming to Newmarket, but it was great to get a win off my own mare it makes all the hard work pay off. I wasn't playing it safe on her today that's for sure a wins a win at this stage,'

'Steve Drowne got off him last time at a mile and said try him over shorter, so here we are and it's worked.'

'It was great to gt a win off my own mare it makes all the hard work pay off'

A few more meetings to come from the figure of eight track in the Royal county as the last stein is downed.
Blogs can be seen with other meetings from Windsor at

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OKTOBERFEST PART 2 A SATURDAY SEVEN AT FONTWELL

Six races down from the previous day, seven quality races still to come to celebrate Fontwell parks Oktoberfest two day national hunt meeting.
Saturday brings in the families, though not the sunshine from the previous days meeting, the weather is well behaved for  meeting not only with quality racing on the cards but mascots charity racing, fancy dress and music all to keep the punters well entertained throughout the afternoon.

The opener,a three mile one furlong twelve runner handicap saw the field hit off at a good pace. Jockeys coming back reporting that the ground is good jumping ground allowing the horses to let down and run.
Jamie Moore in driving form at a track he likes booted home 11/1 shot Ilewindeiilah for the Lambourn based Charlie Mann yard.

'

 A lot of credit has to go to Gary (Moore) and Charlie (Mann)  in getting her right again

The favorite from the Paul Henderson team Mount Vesuvius back seven lengths in third the jockey of the winner mentioned,' Dad trained (Gary Moore) her last season, she won at Uttoxeter and then the wheels came off a little with her, Charlie has her now and has got her just right again, a change of scenery has done her good. Tom Segrue (the owner)let me keep the ride on her and to be fair she has done it well.'
The owners mentioned that the nine year old mare has had her injury problems,' A lot of credit has to go to Gary (Moore) and Charlie (Mann)  in getting her right again, i bred this one and today's win was not really that much of a surprise, we wanted this type of ground and got it today.'

Ilewindeiilah 

Off bottom weight of 10 st 2 lbs the mare may have to see what penalty she gets for a competitive win, but one to keep note of for sure.

An eight runner two mile three furlongs handicap novices chase was next to offer favorite backers a chance to get on the well priced 4/1 shot Accord from the Stow-on-the-Wold yard of David Bridgewater. The seven year old on his first win from five starts stayed on well under the ride of Tom Scudamore. 'He showed plenty of guts from the last to be fair, i though we may get caught with a turn of pace coming around the home bend but he is such a straight forward type of horse he battled out coming up the hill.'

Accord (left) battles up to the line  with second placed horse Free Stone Hill from the Dan Skelton yard.

In the paddock this one looks a very nice type indeed, and chasing seems to be his curtain call. From a yard that had had it's good spread of quality horse in it's time, it would be no surprise to see this one pick up a handy race somewhere over the coming months and one surely to underline in the form books.

Accord (left)  Free Stone Hill (right).

The feature race of the afternoon the £15000 Winner Group handicap Hurdle was again taken by the favorite. 5/2 shot Dashing Oscar from the Harry Fry yard and ridden by Noel Fehily who made all of the two miles three furlongs only really jumping well enough from two out to stay on well to beat Diable De Sivola by three lengths.

' He has grown a lot since i last saw him and is a really fast little jumper, that wasn't a bad sort of race really, it's encouraging for Fontwell to put on a handicap with a decent prize to it, but look this horse has done it well and has deserved his win for sure.'
The seven year old Irish bred now on four wins from ten runs certainly looks the hurdling type. Nimble and quick and certainly a pick for the Seaborough yard for Fry who trained his 150th winner of his career a month back.



One to watch, dependent on the competition next time out, and also it will possible depend on his penalty, but one certainly to note.

Dashing Oscar

The two miles one furlong handicap chase saw mixed fortunes for the Oxford based trainer Lawney Hill. Twenty four hours back at the course she just missed out as Velvet Cognac was taken on the line in the conditional jockeys chase. Twenty fours hours on and a mile less in distance Oliver's Hill off bottom weight of 10 st 2 lbs took the two miles one furlong Handicap chase by and impressive eight lengths from Pearls legend.
Ridden by Aiden Coleman the eight year old showed a quick impressive form of jumping the bigger obstacles, pulling away two fences out and going on again over the last.

'I have used Aiden from the start,' mentioned the trainer. 'He has given him a lovely ride, everything has suited him here today and the low weight has also has helped. We hardly ride him at home, just loose school him, when he dose that he jumps well above the wings of the fences, but to be sure he is a quirky horse but today i was really impressed by him.'
The jockey mentioned,' he has improved since his run at Stratford last month and has jumped really well today and has made use of the 10 st 2 lbs mark.'
The jockey who quoted he really enjoys riding the figure of eight of Fontwell was impressed by the improvement of the horse and would be one to note. It will be interesting what mark the gelding goes off next time out, not really over raced during this bout he could be one if off a low mark that could step up again. One to watch i'd say.

Velvet Cognac

The Marston's Kaltenberg novices hurdle over two miles three furlongs saw a healthy thirteen novices go to post.
Alan King present at Fontwell for the afternoon saddled 7-1 shot Chosen Path for Wayne Hutchinson to go to post on to take a nine length victory from Gunfleet from the Emma Levelle yard

Chosen Path

'He is only a four year old but has done that well really,'' Mentioned  Hutchinson.' He has  ran the race like a big baby really having a look at everything so should come on for the run really.' Covered up until four out the Irish bred debutante though as the jockey mentioned ran green quickened and pulled away from his field nicely, ' He probably ran a little earlier than we would usually do 'mentioned the trainer,'but with the ground being good at the moment it's nice to get them started, we have always liked him and here at Fontwell the sharpness of the track will teach the horse to race, this one could possibly have a big future.' Praise indeed from Alan King who wouldn't be in too much of  a rush for the four year old. ' We will find a little race for him in a few weeks time with not too much of a penalty and go from there.'
So, we have been told Chosen Path, this could be one for the note books over the coming months, the interest will be what path dose the trainer take.

We have always liked him and here at Fontwell the sharpness of the track will teach the horse to race.

The penultimate race of the day and the last of the races over obstacles was a two mile five handicap chase for Conditional riders. Eight runners to post and it was David Bridgewater who saddled Accord to win the opening race over the fences, put faith in young Callum McKinnes on board Orchestrated to fiddle a tune to the sound of a double for the afternoon.

Callum McKinnes on board Orchestrated with trainer David Bridgewater along side

The six year old grey on his inaugural victory from nine starts also made  it special for the young jockey only the day before having his first ride over fences, now on his second in the winners enclosure.
'Its not the easiest course to ride to be fare as you have to keep up where you are on the track. But i walked the course again this morning just to get my bearings.' The prodigy of the British racing school the young jockey mentioned,' I only rode ponies until i went to the school, got on a racehorse though wow this is great and have never looked back, i went to Tom George;s yard first then into David Bridgewaters about two years ago.'
I think there is one place we can leave this race, with a quote from a jockey on his maiden win. 'The buzz of riding my first winner is amazing.'

Orchestrated (left) upsides second placed horse Fly Home Harry

The final race of the afternoon a two mile one furlong national hunt flat race finished the two day festival in a blaze of glory. Court Liability from the Harry Whittington yard stayed on well and ran a positive race under Harry Bannister beating second and third placed horses with a necks distance between them. The favorite at 9/4 Solomon Grey in second place.

Baddesley Knight Solomon Grey in second place. Court Liability,

 The grey in the middle, the winner to his left battled hard  for Bannister up to the line. To be fair having seen a few National hunt flat races over the years at Fontwell, this one i would say is up there as one of the most competitive races at this type I've seen.
'He will come on a lot for that,' mentioned the jockey. 'He battled well up to the line and is a nice sort with a future i feel if he keeps going in the  right way.'
One again for the national hunt note books i'd say, the course well versed into putting in one or two rather good novices over the years from these bumpers.

With music to come at the East Sussex track the more was to the merry,  good pointers in a lot of areas for the national hunt aficionados . More is yet to come

More UMP PA PA  to come in the shape of Royal Windsor's Oktober festival as the last few Monday race meeting goes ahead for a few more time.

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OKTOBER BEST FOR FONTWELL PARKS DUAL MEETING

The opening race of Oktoberfest the James Todd & Co Juvenile Hurdle 

With the seasons and leaves turning as summer waves it's goodbye, heads start turning away from the flat season to concentrate more on the jumpers.
A two day festival of thirteen good quality national hunt races is what's on offer at Fontwell park as they play host to their Oktoberfest meeting.
Six races on offer for the first day, the opener an interesting little juvenile hurdle over the two miles one furlong. Nine runners to post, the Gary Moore trained three year old Sussex Ranger coming home the eight length winner making all of the running from the Alan King 11/8 favorite Kozier.

Sussex Ranger  and Jamie Moore

His jockey Jamie Moore mentioned, 'I've watched this one on the flat quite a bit, as a two year old you would not have been wrong getting excited about winning a bumper on him, dad ( Gary Moore) got him quite cheap really as he was bit of a box walker, he has gone out there today looking about him like it was his first time. He schools pretty well at home, but he is a nice big sort that will come on from that run.'
The trainer also pleased with his lot lately with a 13% strike rate of winners mentioned,' I thought he would run a good race today in that class of event, the French horse from the Nicholls yard was  my only worry (Risk and Roll) i suppose we will have to find him a same type race without taking on too much of a penalty next time,but i'm pleased with him today for sure.'
A master of finding the right type of race for the right type of horse this one may be one to note next time out, Juveniles from the Moore stable finding form at present. More like if conditions suit back here or Plumpton may be a port of call for this Tongdean Partnership three year old.

'He schools pretty well at home, but he is a nice big sort that will come on from that run.'

The first chase of the day, a six runner two mile five  Novices chase saw a good few horses come past the line that would have to be penned in the form book.
Paul Nicholls saddled the  4/6 favorite Adrien Du Pont, Sam Twiston-Davies in the saddle for this five year olds first time over fences. ' He came here today to learn his craft, i said to Paul if we get beat we get beat, but he had a good attitude in the race today and his jumping though not the finished article yet was good. He will get tougher days in races than this for sure but it was a good start for him today.' Last seen at Fontwell in the Game Spirit hurdle in February, that day pulling up, the gelding worked his race well coming through the field to take the race by four lengths from second place Pickamix and third placed horse Mister Whitaker, two horses again that should be watched depending on the  on-going form of the Nicholls winner.

'I was a little bit worried that we were going too soon with him really today, but we had to see what he was about really, and these types of races/courses give them a chance to see where we are at and give them experience. He we will come on from that run for sure.' Mentioned the trainer.
The horse showed pure class and is one to watch, Wincanton could be his next outing in  a rising stars race, races that the trainer has had success in the past.
If  as quoted there is only one way to go with the winner notes also should be taken of the second and third placed horse. The Charlie Mann trained Pickamix and Mick Channon trained Mister Whitaker, both look promising types, the Ditchat master certainly liking the winner it may show good form for the runners up,

Mister Whitaker

Pickamix

Pickamix and Harry Bannister lead over the eventual winner of the Novice chase Adrie Du Pont

The two mile one furlong handicap hurdle saw thirteen very useful looking types go to post, the 3/1 favorite from the Richard Newland stables  Caid Du Lin defied his top weight of 12 st 1 lbs  to take up the race from two out, striding out under the steerage of double winning jockey Sam Twiston- Davies who mentioned. ' He ran well enough at Market Rasen last week, just getting knocked back after he started to make a run. So it was good to get him here today, work on his confidence on good ground.'

Caid Du Lin on his way to winning the James Todd&Co Ltd Handicap hurdle upsides for company Coeur Tantre

The grey beating the Irish contender in Summer Storm from the John 'the Shark' Hanlon yard who had bought a number of runners to the two day meet by four and a half lengths showed promise as he was giving over a stone in weight to the placed horse, and maybe one to note picking up now a nice looking class three handicap, all the while gaining experience and strength.

 Caid Du Lin winning jockey San Twiston- Davies on a double for the afternoon 

The feature race of a quality days racing was the two mile five furlong handicap chase, with a total prize fund of £18500.
Eight runners to post in a highly contested event, not only on paper but on racing also, the pace a strong one and taken on by the eventual victor in the Jonjo O'Neil trained Go Conquer owned by paul & Clare Rooney.
Aiden Coleman in the saddle again a jockey on his way to a double for the afternoon took on the race but left enough to get home on the 4/1 shot, beating the 2/1 favorite in Paul Nicholls As De Me.

'This horse must be one of the best jumpers i have ever ridden,; mentioned the jockey. 'He was of good quality last season but he seems to have improved since then. He jumps so well you can give him breathers in between fences knowing he makes lengths when jumping. I have to say i was disappointed in the Topham last year at Aintree i really fancied him for that, he just got behind one at the Canal Turn that went wide and made a mistake and that was it race over for him. But he is exceptional really for a handicapper like him to jump so well from start to finish.'

High praise indeed from a jockey that has sat on a few good ones in his time i'd say. So, what about the national this season. The jockey would not be drawn to that one so early on. 'He needs to settle a little more to get a national trip, we need to look at something a little closer than that to be sure, wherever he goes i'm happy to ride him anyway.'

Go Conquer 'This horse must be one of the best jumpers i have ever ridden,; mentioned the jockey

Could this be a talking horse for the worlds most watched horse race in April, time will tell. But a firm underline should be noted in this top class jumper, who knows have we seen the Grand National winner already? and it's only the start of the winter game, time will tell.

The penultimate race on day one of this superb two day festival was a race for the conditional jockeys, a handicap chase over the longer distance of the day three miles two furlongs.
Seven to post for again a race that did not spare the gas, the jockeys up front setting a strong pace from tapes up.
Colin Tizzard sent to post the 13/8 favorite in Wizards Bridge ridden by 3 lbs claimer Mitchell Bastyen, and you would not be wrong in thinking that two out the favorite would of been beaten as William Featherstone on board Shockingtimes took up the running with what looked plenty in hand four out.
A mistake three from home saw the leader part company, leaving Lawney Hill's Velvet Cognac all but the victor up to the line, Bastyen pulling out a last gasp finish to get the eight year old to take his sixth race in twenty eight starts.
'I knew i had something underneath me coming around the home turn despite looking the beaten favorite, he had a bit of a rough time of it going around but he stuck to it and battled brave coming up the hill.'

Colin Tizzard sent to post the 13/8 favorite in Wizards Bridge ridden by 3 lbs claimer Mitchell Bastyen

Note should be taken by the unfortunate Velvet Cognac from the Lawney Hill yard who jumped well prominently throughout jockey Charlie Deutsch backing his luck as Shockingtimes faltered, but more was to come over the next twenty four hours for the Oxfordshire trainer, as a hard luck story on one day turns itself about the following day.

The final race of an encouraging afternoon to what was to come over the two day meet was the three miles two furlongs James Todd Handicap hurdle.
Trainer Colin Tizzard just getting over a win in the previous race saddle 7/1 shot Buckhorn Timothy to take on six other competitors over the distance to take a length and a quarter victory from Young Dillon and Sam Twiston- Davis hungry for a treble back in second. Third placed horse and favorite  Scoop the Pot at 11/8 and length further back.

Buckhorn Timothy Harry Cobden takes the Jame Todd Hanicap Hurdle, Young Dillon takes the last with him, Scoop the Pot back in third.

'I'm delighted for the connections really, they have been really patient with him. He had a little injury at the beginning of last season that has seen him sidelined, i didn't want to commit too early but when asked he has ran on well for me.' mention Harry Cobden the man in the saddle.
A competitive handicap for the time of year Scoop the Pot back in third from the Philip Hobbs yard and owned y J.P McManus must be a horse to note, also Doing Fine from the Neil Mulholland yard a head further back in fourth a horse staying on well in the Bet 365 Gold Cup back in April, shows the winner of the race should be taken seriously. The yard of Colin Tizzard in good form at present, Harry mentioning,'I ride out there every Wednesday. And the horses are fit that's for sure and at the moment running well, let's hope i can ride a few more like this one.'

Buckhorn Timothy 

With six races down and a good mood at the track much is to be looked forward for another seven races on the card the following day, with plenty of  Weibweirst and Schweinshaxe on offer, plenty to look forward to with the blogs from

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