Cold and grey this afternoon after a bright and frosty start to the day. Time to catch breath after a good few days for the yard, Ned Tanner’s fine 2nd at Haydock on Saturday was followed by a day to treasure at the Jedforest point-to-point on Sunday with both Jess and Jesika riding their first winners.
Jess on Not the Chablis who added this first point-to-point win to his bumper, hurdle and chase wins and Jesika on Will Ramsay’s talented Diable de Sivola and both riding under the Jockey Start banner.
Jess and Not The Chablis
There should be more to come for both horses but I was simply delighted for both of them; they are two talented, hard-working girls who along with so many others play a vital role in the success of the yard as a whole – rarely have wins been so well deserved!
Jesika and Diable de Sivola
On to Ayr on Monday where we enjoyed an exciting double with Hombre de Guerra and Ginger Mail both recording career bests to win the two feature races. Earlier on the card Anamanda ran really well to be 2nd, perfectly happy with Burning it Up being 4th, Maillot Blanc was a little disappointing again in 5th – beaten too far but I have a little plan… In the final race Bluebell Glen rather spoilt the day by declining to go to the start, we took her back to the track yesterday and she behaved perfectly, grrr.
Hombre de Guerra with Sean and Jess who also led up Ned at Haydock on Saturday, a busy weekend
Yesterday we thought My Kiwi Girl ran a nice race to be 2nd, Gaillimh a Stor finished a very close 2nd – denied only by the 3lb rise given to him for filling the same slot last time. We were very happy with Orkney Blue finishing 4th in good company, Artic Mann unfortunately pulled up due to atrial fibrilation – he did the same thing in 2021 and has been a model of consistency since so hopefully we can sort this out again. Bel Amigo ran well for a long way but then stopped quickly – another puzzle for the trainer to solve.
Ginger Mail bringing up a double for the Team
On to Wetherby tomorrow where we have two runners on ground that should be soft looking at the forecast, one in each of the divisions of the staying handicap hurdle. First up is recent Ayr winner Boolamore Classic, he makes hard work of things but still had a bit up his sleeve that day so has a chance of defying his 5lb rise – Bruce rides and 12 run.
Boolamore Classic snoozing before his win at Ayr last time out
Tash Cookson has her first ride against the professionals on So Ladlylike in the 3.50; she won well on the horse last summer at Hexham and they are only 3lb higher tomorrow so she ought to play a part again if she handles the softer ground – bit of a question mark but no reason why she shouldn’t, 11 run.
So Ladylike
