Haydock tomorrow, Elvis, Up Helly & Happy Christmas!

A quiet afternoon but another storm on its way so our horses destined for Haydock tomorrow have just arrived at the track.  The ground is likely to be soft/heavy which shouldn’t be a bother for our two runners and we start with My Kiwi Girl in the Listed Mares Novice Hurdle at 12.55.

Whilst it might appear a little ambitious stepping straight into Listed company on the back of a 4th in a novice at Ayr we have a lot of belief in this talented and exuberant mare and she shouldn’t be out of place assuming she improves for the step up in trip and the softer ground – 5 run and Kevin Brogan rides; mildly concerned as to how she will fare away from home for the night but reports are that she is tucking in!

Time for lunch then we run Half Track in the 3.15; we have been very pleased with his progress since returning from injury and he ought to be well treated off 10lb lower than his pre injury peak, there is no indication to me that his ability is in any way diminished and I’d expect him to rate higher again in time, the step up to 3 miles should be in his favour so we just need him to eat up tonight and he ought to play a part – 11 run and Sean rides.

A mixed time of it last weekend; at Doncaster Elvis Mail struck into himself quite badly, I imagine quite early on in the race which would explain his lacklustre performance.  He was very fortunate to be able to drop in to Eugenio’s on the way home to be stitched up as the racecourse vets weren’t very helpful, one could say they were irresponsible.  Not ideal.

Elsewhere last weekend the ground at Newcastle was too firm for Master Bricklayer and Boolamore Classic then on Sunday Ballyfort had some serious steering issues at Carlisle, left handed next for him, luckily the weekend was rescued by another galant performance from the evergreen Gipsy Lee Rose finishing 2nd.  Over at Alnwick our two Jockey Start riders – Jess and Jesika – had great spins on Not the Chablis (6th of 13) and Diable de Sivola (led to four out then carried out by a loose horse).

And I have mixed feelings in announcing the retirement of another of our stable stars, Up Helly Aa King.  He’s been an absolute star for the Team and will always have a special place in our hearts.  He was actually in the form of his life after his recent Haydock run, appeared to have improved for it and was raring to go however he wasn’t quite himself on Monday morning and we found a minor problem that will take a little while to heal.

Given that he will be 14yo in a fortnight it was an easy decision to retire him.  He won 6 races and £93k from his 35 starts and gave us many wonderful days including when 4th in the £100k Veterans Final at Sandown, winning at Doncaster/Ayr/Carlisle and latterly as a 13yo at Kelso in April giving 4 years plus to a competitive field of high class handicappers despite his saddle slipping.  Well done Up Helly!

 

After Haydock tomorrow our next runners will be at Kelso on the 29th – Happy Christmas everyone and thank you for reading this nonsense and following Kinneston.