Lovely weather today but to be very wet tonight and a weather warning for rain at Ayr where we are hoping to be racing with six runners tomorrow on ground that is currently soft. Plans may change but as things stand we kick off the afternoon with Jirko running in the 12.15; he made a very promising chasing debut at Kelso three weeks ago, should be fine on the ground if it isn’t too extreme and the track and trip should be perfect. 10 others runners might be the problem but he goes there with a decent chance – Bruce rides.
Jirko
Next up is L’Arme de Bonheur in the 12.45. He was disappointing on stable debut having nearly won his bumper, he just appeared a bit weak so testing conditions won’t be ideal but he’s been working very well and I’d like to think can leave his last run behind him if he handles the conditions. Quite a big “if” but he’s in good order, should benefit from the experience and we will learn if he can handle very soft – Bruce rides and 12 run.
L’Arme de Bonheur
Boolamore Classic reverts to hurdles in the 13.15. He won over course and distance in January on soft ground and ought to be OK on heavy if it goes that way, we will be putting the visor back on and doing our very best to repeat the trick. It’s not a bad race for the grade but he is back to his winning mark so should have a chance if he is on a going day – Bruce rides and 10 run.
Boolamore Classic
If the ground has turned heavy we will probably head home at this point but if it stays soft and isn’t too attritional we will have three more runners; Beat the Retreat being next up in the 14.15. He is hard to predict but had a warm up in a Charity Race at Wetherby a month ago so should be fit. He is a course winner over slightly shorter off a 1lb higher mark so is perfectly entitled to be involved at the business end of the race – Bruces rides and 8 run.
Beat The Retreat
Ozzy Cosmo drops in class in the 2nd division of this race at 14.45, he ran well for a long way over shorter here last time and shouldn’t mind the step back up in trip or the 12st on his back provided the ground is OK, 9 run and Patrick Wadge rides. This is definitely the stronger division with a good last time out winner and a horse making its debut for Gordon Elliot off a mark of 72. Crikey, I see the horse is also declared for Clonmel on Tuesday so hopefully it might go there instead.
Ozzy Cosmo
Finally L’Appel du Large could make his racecourse and stable debut in the 15.15; he really will need them to have missed the rain, he is a lovely young horse with the pedigree to match so we don’t want to run him in the wrong conditions first time out. Bruce rides and 9 run if he does take part.
L’Appel du Large
A debrief re this weekend when time allows, a logistical triumph for the Team even if there were no equine triumphs!