Introduction
It’s always a great weak when we have a winner at our local track, and that’s precisely what Polo the Mumm has gone and done at Taunton. Diamond Reflection went close on the flat and How About It won another point to point at the weekend and so now qualifies for the TIMICO final at Cheltenham. Whilst reflecting now on the National, we were given an absolute treat in seeing the first horse since Red Rum to win back to back Grand Nationals.
Round Up of runners
Polo the Mumm was the first runner of the week and won in commanding style at Taunton. George Welch’s racing post quote couldn’t have summed it up better, “he can be a bit unpredictable but he was certainly on a going day this time around. He got into a nice rhythm with his jumping and that has seen him through.” The new equipment we have installed at the yard has worked a particular treat on both Polo and How About It and so it will be intriguing to see if the effect carries on future horses.
Diamond Reflection benefited from the 7 pound claim of Amelia Glass and so was able to put in a much stronger challenge. The Dennis’ are involved in both Diamond and Polo and so have had a much deserved good week. Diamond came through the pack towards the end of the race, the same tactic as used by the winner, though we didn’t quite get as quick a passage was through the traffic as they did. However I would not go as far to say that this denied us the win but maybe half a length and so it was a very good run.
Waqt wasn’t able to follow up on his previous run with another winner, but the first 9 finished within 3 lengths of each other in a near enough blanket finish. He finished 6th and was in the lead approaching the final furlong marker but ultimately the field were just able to get to him and he was swallowed up on the line. The Eagles Nest finished a further ¾ length behind Waqt to be 7th and so both being beaten by less than 3 lengths was nothing to be ashamed of.
How About It won the Mens Open at Andoversford on the Sunday and so qualified for the Timico final at Cheltenham. He beat Premier Portrait by ½ a length, who you may remember won the Taunton Hunter Chase last year. He jumped off with the field and took up the lead 3 fences from home and holding on gamely to secure the win. As I mentioned earlier he has really come on this year and now has a Point To Point rating of 111, which would feature in the top 10% of point to point horses in the UK.
News in Racing
Tiger Roll became the first horse to win back to back Grand Nationals since Red Rum, and has now secured a place in eternal history. He has won a further 4 Cheltenham festival races and has to surely now be considered one of the greats of the sport.
Statistical Summary
Jumps 18/19
Earnings - £92,808
Wins - 8
Top 4 finishes – 52/153 (33.99%)
Flat 19
Earnings - £66,452
Wins – 8
Top 4 finishes –33/87 (37.93%)
Total 2019
Earnings - £86,912
Wins - 9
Top 4 finishes – 47/138 (34.06%)
Polo the Mumm
How About It