It has turned cold and wet this afternoon and good to be in the office after a busy and productive morning on the gallops.  No joy at Carlisle yesterday but both horses ran well enough to finish 4th; Hombre couldn’t have been expected to do any better, Dubai Days possibly could but he put in a couple of scrappy jumps at an important time in the race and he was only beaten 3 lengths for 2nd with the winner looking very well treated on old form.

Platin Moon

On to Ayr tomorrow where the ground has just turned heavy in places with more rain forecast.  We have an exciting book of runners including several newcomers, not at all sure whether the ground will suit them but might as well find out.  First up is Platin Moon in the 1.45, he steps up in trip on what will be the softest ground he has encountered and I am hopeful both will be in his favour.  He’s a big strong horse and should run well – 14 run and Bruce rides.

Coconut Splash

We are then double handed in the 2.20 with Coconut Splash (Kit) and Theme Tune (Bruce), both should be fine on the ground.  Coconut Splash is a formerly high class performer that we acquired a year ago, this will be his first run for the yard and his first in a handicap hurdle having not run over the smaller obstacles since January 2020 – that’s a long time ago and it may be that he is really a chaser but we will learn a lot tomorrow in what is a competitive looking race. Theme Tune will be very at home in the conditions but I think needs three miles plus to be at his most competitive – hopefully this will set him up for a good season having been frustrated by the ground last time round.  12 run.

Theme Tune

We are also double handed in the last two races and first of those is the novice hurdle at 3.20 with Cavalier du Luy (Bruce) and Whathaveyou (Sean).  Cavalier won his last point to point in Ireland and his form had a timely boost at Gowran Park on Saturday, the big question mark for me is whether as a 4yo running again mostly 5yo’s and 6yo’s he will be strong enough to handle the ground.  He certainly appears to have plenty of ability from what we see at home so will be interesting to see what he can do, albeit that we won’t be too hard on him first time out given the conditions.

Cavalier du Luy

Whathaveyou is very much an unknown quantity; his May 2024 Perth bumper run can be ignored, training him has been a challenge and Amy has done a wonderful job to bring him to where he is now, he seems very much in the zone and hopefully will stay that way in his race.  Again I am sure he has plenty of ability, should be ok on the ground, my guess is he will want further in due course. 15 run.

Whathaveyou

Finally in the Amateur & Conditionals Bumper at 3.50 we run Kingsman Mail (Jesika – first ride against professionals) and TakeyoutotheIsland (Dom).  Kingsman is a sibling to Elvis, Ginger and Lester so has big shoes to fill.  He came over from France last summer as a very backward 4yo and has taken plenty of time but the penny is dropping and tomorrow is very much the next stage in that process – hopefully he and Jesika will look after each other!

Kingsman Mail

TakeyouttotheIsland came over from Ireland late spring 2024 having been in pre training and unfortunately injured himself when turned out to grass.  After going for a racecourse gallop at Musselburgh in February he suffered another setback but I am pleased to say it has been plain sailing this time round since he came in at the beginning of July.  He seems to have plenty of ability from what we see at home though the ground is a big question mark.  A hard race to read with so many newcomers, the Irish raider looks like it will be hot favourite and is likely to tear off in front – will it stay there?  11 run.

Takeyoutotheisland