Introduction
We have 2 very unlucky horses in the yard this week with both Kublai and Diamond Reflection losing by a neck and a head respectively. The first of the two walkers has started to go up and there were plenty of runners this week. However as great as this is, we sadly lost Millen this week and were desperately saddened after remembering some of the better days we have had with him.
Round Up of runners
As mentioned 9 runners this week, with 2 very close seconds and a fourth from Azari.
Our first runner Kublai, put in a sterling effort at Market Rasen. We decided to hold him up and he made game headway coming through the field in the last quarter of the race, his late surge continued to the run in where Tom Scudamore switched him to the left on the flat passing the second and running out of time to reach the winner, getting beat by a neck. He has been out of form for a while now with minor niggles, so it was great we were able to build upon the improvement at Newton Abbot last time and will hopefully come on again.
Azari improved upon his last run to be placed at Chester, finishing a gallant 4th. He travelled well enough and moved through the field well, though was just a bit tapped for toe at the end and so stayed on for the fourth place. This was 2 ½ furlongs further than his last run and it was good to see the effect of stepping him up in trip.
Thahab Ifraj ran a well enough race at Bath finishing 6th, beaten 3 lengths by the winner and a head for 5th. Thahab was slightly outpaced 3 furlongs from home, however he stayed on well towards the end and was closing despite this being the second longest flat trip he has run over and so may want longer, but we will see.
Diamond Reflection improved upon his last run when finishing third at Lingfield to be second at Bath, beaten a head. He ran well being held up and coming through late, however the winner got a slightly better pathway through at the end and even though Diamond was closing fast, it was just not quite enough. Hopefully the ratings will be kind to him and a clearer run to go one better.
A frustrating run for Cry Wolf at Newcastle, with a steadier pace being set denying his staying advantage to prevail at the end due to others having fresher legs. Despite only getting beaten 2 lengths, it was disappointing to finish so far down the field, but hopefully he will have an opportunity soon to improve upon this result.
News in racing
Reading the Racing Post earlier in the week, I was sad to read the death of Edredon Bleu, who won the Champion Chase and King George, a lovely horse and thrilling to watch.
On a rather different note, some of you may have seen some rather bizarre scenes in France this week. A horse managed to escape off the course and run over a road and bolting through a bar sending the customers sprawling, before then chasing them out of the establishment. Fortunately no one was hurt and the filly was caught, though it has taught me to never say never now!
Statistical Summary
Jumps 18/19
Earnings - £21, 685
Wins - 1
Top 4 finishes – 19/53 (35.85%)
Flat 18
Earnings - £100, 529
Wins – 13
Top 4 finishes – 52/153 (33.99%)