Introduction
Eleven runners and a busy day at the sales, meant plenty of work this week at West Buckland. I was pleased with our two purchases at Ascot and have just done the declarations for Thursday, with no less than seven set to go to post.
Round Up of runners
De Little Engine kicked off the week in promising fashion, running out a strong third. He began by tracking the leaders and stayed there for much of the race. Coming off the final bend he went to squeeze through the inside of the leader, but briefly got held up, before finally breaking through to finish a gallant third. The seven pound claim helped his run to beat Swissal ¾ length, who beat us a narrow nose at Brighton recently.
Over to Chepstow, both War Drums and Emneshing were aiming for success. Emneshing missed the break and it cost him the race. War Drums was running first time after a break and he ran with promise to leave us confident for the future.
Saturday soon came round and Cry Wolf was back after a break and running with some additional syndicate members. Newbury was a sell out and Hannah Welch was booked to take the ride. It was his first run on the soft and he didn’t take to it well, backing off. He should come on for the run and hopefully come down a couple of pounds.
A little closer to home on the M4, Panatos and Roque were taking their chances at Bath. Panatos went first and on this occasion was ridden amongst the field. He was sent to chase the leader, but faltered in the last furlong to lose second towards the line and finish fourth of seven. Roque took the lead from the get go and settled well, to be ridden in the dying furlongs and headed by a fast trio in the last furlong to finish fourth of nine. We were hoping for more but two places wasn’t a terrible effort.
Tuesday saw a return to Brighton, with hopes of Born To Reason bidding to follow up on his last course success. He had an awful draw, but got lucky with his break and so was able to track the leader. The front runners slowed the pace on the penultimate bend, when we really needed an even pace, and so got tapped for toe on the downhill but fought back on the rise to be fourth. Ramblow also ran at Brighton later on, leading from the get go. She ran over her favoured mile and looked to have the run of the race, but she got swamped two out to finish seventh of eight in a blanket finish.
Kafeel also ran on Tuesday, finishing eighth of fourteen. He led from early on and turning in had the field sending distress flares. He weakened in the final furlong and he may have just needed the run, but he loves Kempton and am sure a return is on the cards.
Wednesday felt a little flat with a couple of lower efforts. Gendarme had an off day at Bath whilst at Worcester we just stepped Spring Steel up too much in grade and so our roll of the dice filed to pay off.
Ascot Sales
Cromwell (GB) 2016 Bl.G. BY Swiss Spirit (GB) EX Brooksby (GB)
A 3yo by Swift Spirit and a horse I am buzzing to get on the track. You may remember his rain breaking at Brighton when Ramblow was third, and arguably he was running a great race. I believe he is on a basement mark and would make an instant purchase for someone to stay in the yard.
Shellebeau (IRE) 2016 B.F. BY War Command (USA) EX Attracted To You (IRE)
A 3yo by War Command, currently occupies a mark of 65 on the flat. She was five lengths fifth off an opening mark of 74 and so would appear to be on a prominent mark. She only ran last four weeks ago, but is in need of some tummy tightening. Shellebeau is for sale to stay in the yard.
Statistical Summary
Jumps 19/20
Earnings - £22,612
Wins - 3
Flat 19
Earnings - £155,571
Wins - 23
Year 2019
Earnings - £213,838
Wins - 26
Team photo at Bath