A fine day, much better after a very wet and windy weekend. A welcome winner at Ayr yesterday with Beat the Retreat jumping for fun to win in gritty style and defy my concerns re the ground. Elsewhere on the card Jirko made a bold bid to make all but ended up an excellent 2nd, more to come from him, L’Arme de Bonheur ran a much better race prior to tiring in the home straight and Boolamore Classic ran very well until appearing to not quite stay the 3 miles – not for the first time so back in trip for him next.
Beat the Retreat (left), a memorable first winner for the Donnelys and the Highland Hustlers Syndicate
On to Haydock tomorrow where we have two important runners, both at the Veteran stage but both hopefully retaining all their ability. I am hoping the ground will be on the soft side of good to soft and the softer the better for Theme Tune in the 12.38. He won the 2022 renewal of this race and has been lightly raced since, he has finally slipped back to that sort of handicap mark so I would like to think will put up a bold show to reward Brian & Katie Castle’s patience – 8 run and Murray Dodd rides.
Theme Tune
The 14.08 has been the plan for Elvis Mail for a few weeks and he seems to be going there in good order, his training has all gone to plan and he should have come on for his run over hurdles at Ayr a month ago. Slight problem is the weight he is set to carry in that he has 12st and is set to give weight away all round, a big ask but I’d just love him to run well, ground / trip / track all fine and 5 run with Bruce riding.
Elvis Mail