ALEX DUNN RACING WEEKLY REPORT (29th November – 5th December)

Introduction

With the rain finally deciding to make its long overdue reappearance, its looks as if winter jumps racing may finally be in full flow. That said Chasing Headlights ran a cracking race at Taunton finish second to the inform Bonza Girl and we had 2 more runners on the flat. However, in the pointing sphere Blackwater Bramble absolutely romped up at Larkhill, winning his second race in as many starts.

Round Up of runners

Chasing Headlights ran a blinder at Taunton, going well most of the way in midfield before making progress 3 out and looming dangerously coming to the last but just did not quite have enough toe to get ahead of the winner. This was his third placed effort in a row, though he has now received a four pound rise but hopefully he shall continue in this vein of form.

Maraakib and Cool Macavity ran in an earlier race at Taunton, finishing down the field. It was great to have runners at the local track, though the cut in the ground didn’t really suit either of them.

Diamond Reflection and Chorus of lies both ran good races at Kempton and Lingfield, with both finishing at the higher end of midfield. Both of them ran similar races in midfield and staying on towards the end.

Blackwater Bramble has kept the ball rolling with his second winner in as many runs, this time at Larkhill. His time was the fastest of the day yet again, winning by an impressive 20 lengths. He was quickly dropped in due to the hard pace of the race, taking up the lead 5 out and coasting home with a handsome lead. He will have a little break now and come out again firing in the New Year to try and make it 3 out of 3.

Jumps seasons Christmas break

Now that the Christmas period has arrived, I thought I might explain the Christmas period in racing. During the 23rd, 24th and 25ty December there is a brief paus in the season that allows us to celebrate the Christmas period that said there will be some heroic workers here on Christmas day. Boxing Day is one of the biggest days racing of the year, with no less than 7 jumps fixtures and 1 flat fixture, the highlight of the day being the King George VI. Hopefully everyone will have a good break and then make the most of these upcoming fixtures.

News in Racing

Thursdays chase card at Leicester has been abandoned making it a hurdles only card. They have suffered hugely, missing a third of their usual rain fall according to some reports and so meaning that in some parts the ground is firm and others it is softer. Hopefully the rainfall problem may now sort itself out.

Statistical Summary

Jumps 18/19

Earnings - £41,328

Wins - 3

Top 4 finishes – 28/84 (33.33%)

Flat 18

Earnings - £110,727

Wins – 14

Top 4 finishes – 57/182 (31.32%)

ALEX DUNN RACING WEEKLY REPORT (22nd– 28th November)

Introduction

What an exciting week, Thahab Ifraj goes and wins at a staggering 66/1, whilst Cry Wolf takes his third win of the season bringing the total yard prize money this season across both codes to £150,000. Taunton comes around again next week and we have got lots of entries there for Thursday, hopefully we can see as many of you there as possible!

Round Up of runners

Fortune seems to have favoured Thahab Ifraj, whilst being denied a run at Chelmsford he squeezed into a 0-135 at Wincanton, winning at a huge 66/1. Adam gave him a great ride and the race was run at a steady pace on the ground he loves, allowing him to get into the race which he has been denied on previous runs. He took the lead 2 out and held on well to the last. The handicapper has not been the kindest to this horse and he was put up a harsh 3 pounds for his Stratford second, but on Thursday it all worked out without the need for any headgear.

Cry Wolf, the only runner on the flat this week, made it 2 winners this week with a great effort at Wolverhampton. This is the shortest trip he has run over for us and it was a small concern, however Cry Wolf did not share this thought. He appreciated having a clean run for the first time in a while sweeping wide and was able to make use of his trademark staying prowess. He has been with us 5 months now, only finishing outside the top 4 once and picking up 8 top 4 finishes, 3 of those wins.

Tactical Manoeuvre and Hill Fort both ran in the first race at Exeter on Sunday, with Tactics finishing the better of the 2. He was ridden towards the rear on the inner and made progress steadily from midway in the race, with the field well strung out turning coming into the last bend. He stayed on better than the horses around him, to finish 5thof the 17 runner field. He has improved much for his first run at Taunton, though is still having to carry top weight, hopefully the handicapper will be kind to Tactics and give him the drop he deserves. Hill Fort on the other hand was having his seasonal debut and will come on for the run, we will see how he comes out of the race before planning his next venture.

Envole Toi made his yard debut over fences and took to them well. We decided to hold him up this time, and it looked to work though up the run in though he just tired a little coming to 2 out. That being said this was a very good race, with the winner winning a class 3 last time out and the 2nd 3rd 4th and 5th placed horses all winning class 4 races on their last runs, so we were in very good company.

Statistical Summary

Jumps 18/19

Earnings - £40,202

Wins - 3

Top 4 finishes – 27/81 (33.33%)

Flat 18

Earnings - £110,127

Wins – 14

Top 4 finishes – 57/180 (31.67%)

ALEX DUNN RACING WEEKLY REPORT (15th– 21st November)

Introduction

Lots of runners this week, with no less than 6 being sent out on Thursday to 3 different course and some pleasing progress with most horses. The stables continue to go up now at a relentless pace and we are starting to welcome more horses back from Worcestershire who have arrived well into their fitness levels. Even better though, was for us to have our first point to point winner of the season at the opening meeting with Blackwater Bramble.

Round Up of runners

Tactical Manoeuvre and Getadollar ran in the first race of the Taunton trio, finishing sixth and third respectively. Getadollar was given a confident ride under the fast emerging Rex Dingle, and looked a dangerous threat on the last bend. She never managed to get her head alongside the leading 2 but stayed on gamely and finished comfortably in front of the fourth placed horse. She is improving all the time and hopefully her win will come in the not so distant future. 

Cool Macavity looked a revitalised horse under Hannah Welch, and raced well much of the way. He stayed on at the end, but couldn’t quite get to fourth on the run in, that said he ran with vigour and the combination will probably resume this partnership at the next Taunton meeting.

Azari and Cry Wolf both ran in the 6 o’clock at Kempton, both running good races. Azari was racing well and looking ominous in the home straight before being taken out Encryption, resulting in a 2 day ban for Jamie Spencer, pleasing as it was for the stewards to side with us it can never bring back the run for Azari. Cry Wolf on the other hand had a good run up the inner but unfortunately due to the lack in pace in parts during the race was not able to make use of his usual race deciding stamina. Both horses returned safe and we will look to run again soon.

Chorus of Lies returned after a 119 day break and a decent race to finish midfield. He was found out a little at the end but showed improvement and will come on for his first run.

Foxy Lass ran a far better race at Chepstow on Wednesday in a hurdle, despite being a little naughty at the start. She jumped well enough and even though towards the rear was staying on well, passing several horses in the latter stages and maybe a little unlucky not to pass a few more on the run in.

In a different sphere of racing, Blackwater Bramble made it a winning start to our 2018/2019 point to point season. Blackwater was ridden prominently throughout the race before being briefly headed 2 out, fighting back bravely to get up on the line to win by a short head. It was also John’s first winner for me as a jockey, and I hope we go on to partner many more together.

Point to Pointing

My first experiences of racing came in point to points, first as a rider and then a trainer before progressing to the professional scene. This year we are going to be running a handful of horses in point to points, mainly as a family affair with John taking the rides. John will also soon be taking over the point to point yard after we have moved into the new stables, taking his early steps of a training career. Point to pointing for us has always been for fun and shall remain so, with it being a great opportunity to support some of our local communities.

News in Racing

Chelmsford was plunged into darkness mid race recently, causing quite a stir. Chelmsford is roughly a 7 hour round trip from West Buckland, luckily Thahab Ifraj was the only horse on the box as we usually send multiple runners there. Thahab has no other entries as well as the cost to get there, though I believe the course will help with that, and so we will have to wait a week before another chance to run.

Statistical Summary

Jumps 18/19

Earnings - £31,504

Wins - 2

Top 4 finishes – 26/77 (33.77%)

Flat 18

Earnings - £104, 596

Wins – 13

Top 4 finishes – 56/179 (31.28%)

ALEX DUNN RACING WEEKLY REPORT (8th-14th November)

Introduction

A much quieter week this time round, with just 3 runners over jumps, making it even busier in the yard due to an increase in horses being prepped for upcoming runs. Meanwhile the stables are going up very quickly now and we are taking advantage of the recently softened to do some much needed grass schooling.

Round Up of runners

Polo the Mumm looked in complete control when turning in at Fontwell and we were all feeling very confident. Alas it was not meant to be with the extended trip finding him out in the last couple of furlongs, resulting in him slipping to fourth. He has come on leaps and bounds since joining us barely 2 months ago and we knew we were pushing our luck over this trip, though we had to try when looking at the declarations. I am hopeful that in not much time at all, good things will start to happen for Polo again.

Corruption made her seasonal debut at Aintree in a very competitive bumper. Her career very much lies in the future, though we must take these baby steps to first get her there. Despite finishing sixth, she travelled with the pace and was only done for toe on the turn in and continues to stay on despite this. Time should hopefully take the greenness out of her and allow us to progress to hurdles which is the main aim for this mare.

Sandro Botticelli ran a much better race, in a very good novice hurdle at Exeter. He ran well and was tidy at his hurdles, bar the third last, and so was a good confidence booster. It was a 15 runner field and so was respectable to finish 7th beating half of the field.

Schooling

We schooled three on the grass this week over the chase fences: Blackwater Bramble; Hill Fort and Envole Toi. All of them schooled absolutely foot perfect and so we cannot hope for anything better at home, now it is up to horse and jockey to reproduce this on the track.

News in Racing

Conditional jockey Evan Daley had a close call at Navan, Ireland when he was almost run over whilst jogging round the track. Daly was going for a jog, which is usual practice for jockeys to lose a pound or two and get an idea of how the track is looking before racing. However because he had his headphones in, he could not hear the horses behind though luckily everyone managed to bypass unscathed. The stewards gave him a caution and sent Daly on his way, hopefully a little wearier with his recent experiences.

Statistical Summary

Jumps 18/19

Earnings - £30,241

Wins - 2

Top 4 finishes – 25/71 (35.21%)

Flat 18

Earnings - £104, 274

Wins – 13

Top 4 finishes – 55/175 (31.43%)

Sandro Botticelli