Horse Racing News


	Hamilton Races
	16th July 2010 Lochiel who was ridden by Lee Topliss was running in the one mile and five furlong handicap stakes. There had been plenty of rain at Hamilton and the going was officially Good to Soft, however many of the jockeys reported that it was riding Soft. Lochiel was carrying top weight and due to the weight for age allowance was giving significant amounts of weight to horses with the same rating as him, which is a bit harsh. He was slowly away from the stalls, he does wear a hood when he is in the stalls and the jockey has to remove it at the correct time just as the stalls open, a precise operation. He was sitting nicely off the pace and moved into contention just as they were coming up the hill for the last couple of furlongs but just never was able to get to the leaders. Initially we thought that he was not really putting the required effort into his race and that a run over hurdles would help him but he is a bit stiff and sore in his shoulders since his run so perhaps that was what was bothering him, the vet will check him over.

	Perth Races, Sunday
	11th July 2010 Guerilla ridden by Alex Voy was running in the two mile handicap hurdle. The going was Good to Firm, although there had been some rain recently and on top of watered ground there was no jar in the going and plenty of grass on the track. Guerilla took his customary position on the outside of the field, he does not like to be in a crowd of horses, and was jumping well and travelling very nicely and looked to be well placed for a finish in the prize money but he seemed to blow up at the second last hurdle and finished down the field. He has missed a few bits of work since his last run and perhaps was just lacking in race fitness, he may also require a slightly longer trip now.

	Perth Races Sunday
	11th July 2010 Strobe was running in the three mile handicap hurdle and was ridden by Alex Voy. Having won at Market Rasen last time out over two miles and five furlongs we did not think that the trip would be a problem. Strobe got a great start and was able to lead from the start of the race, he was jumping brilliantly and travelling the best of any of the runners and still in front coming to the second last hurdle and looked to have the race in the bag, when he just seemed to run out of gas and for no apparent reason he went from first to last in a matter of strides. Nothing has come to light and he has shown no ill effects a bit of a mystery, but he lives to fight another day !!

	Ayr Races
	19th June 2010 Lochiel ridden by Paddy Macdonald ran in the one mile and five furlong handicap stakes. The going was Good to Firm but there had been plenty of water put on the track and the jockeys from the earlier races reported that if anything it was riding on the slow side. He was a touch slow out of the stalls, Paddy was still taking off his hood when the stalls opened so he was stuck at the back of the field for most of the race. He did make some good progress about two furlongs out but could never really find a gap when he needed one and when it did come his chance was gone. He finished in fifth place only beaten about eight lengths. He seems to have been a bit unlucky as the race was not really run to suit him, but even the racing post quote that he left the impression that he is just starting to knock at the door so it wont be long before his nose in front where it matters. He did come with a rather lofty handicap mark which has made things a bit difficult and I think he would ideally prefer a bit more cut in the ground but he is in such good heart at home and he really seems to be enjoying his racing and seems much more settled and calm in the preliminaries.

	Hexham Races
	12th June 2010 Flaming Heck ran in the two mile and four furlong handicap chase and was ridden by Alex Voy. He could not get to the front and he pulled himself up. He sulked enough said.

	Market Rasen
	11th June 2010 Strobe ridden by Alex Voy was running in the two mile and four furlong handicap hurdle and the going was Good. Alex always had Strobe in a prominent position and was always in the first three horses, although he is perhaps the most fluent of hurdlers he wastes no time in the air and coming out of the back straight for the final time Alex looked to be the most confident of the jockeys in the race and coming to the second last hurdle was a couple of lengths clear of the other horses and by the time he got to the last hurdle, barring accidents, the race was WON he was eight lengths clear by the time he passed the post and there may have been more in the tank if pushed !! This was a great WIN for everyone involved, especially Caroline who looks after him, as she had been saying that he was feeling as good as ever and that he was back to his best, it was also the first time that she had driven the horsebox - so guess who is driving next time !

	Hamilton Park Races
	9th June 2010 Lochiel ridden by Michael OConnell was running in the Lanark Silver Bell handicap stakes run over one mile and four furlongs. The going was Good to Firm, and thankfully there had been some recent rain that was able to take the sting out of the ground. He was able to jump out well from the stalls and was prominent in the very early stages of the race, he appeared to struggle coming down the hill and then was brought wide and was able to make some very impressive headway in the last couple of furlongs of the race and with a few extra strides would have certainly got into the winners enclosure, as it was he finished in a brilliant and fast finishing fifth place. While it was a much better run than his last race a York, not everything today went his way and with a bit of luck next time out he should be closer ! Paddy McDonald was not able to ride him today but Michael was given very clear instructions by his flat mate, Paddy, as to how to ride him and he certainly did nothing wrong.

	Hexham Races
	5th June 2010 Guerilla was running in the three mile one furlong handicap chase, he was ridden by Alex Voy and the ground was Good to Firm but the track had been well watered over the last few days. Guerilladid not seem to enjoy being back over fences again and while he would have preferred the ground to have been softer I think that the combination of fences on quick going really did not suit him and Alex pulled him up before any harm was done. He has not run over fences for a while and we were keen to see if he would be able to mix fences and hurdles in future but he really did not seem to be happy over the larger obstacles and he will stick to hurdles from now on.

	Cartmel Races
	2nd June 2010 Flaming Heck ran in the two mile handicap chase and he was ridden by Alex Voy. There had been quite a bit of sunshine since the rain on Saturday and the ground had dried up a bit and this was the third meeting of the week so the ground had been opened up a little, however it was still on the easy side of Good. Flaming Heck has become something of a monkey as the years have gone by and we know when he is really well as he is really full of bounce and can still take off unexpectedly, and this is what he did before the race started, dumping his jockey and having a nice stretch of his legs, even when re-united with Alex he still was quite a handful ! He did start someway behind the field and this does not really suit him and although he was able to get close to the front he never got his head in front and over two miles they just really went a bit too quick for him and he sulked a little. He may go back to Hexham over two and a half miles next time out.

	Cartmel Races
	29th May 2010 The Sheepdipper ran in the two mile and one furlong handicap hurdle and was ridden by Alex Voy. Like much of the country yesterday afternoon Cartmel got plenty of rain and by the time the evening meeting got underway there had been quite a bit and the ground had changed to Good to Soft, from Good to Firm. The part of the track under the trees is always a bit softer than the rest of the track anyway. The Sheepdipper was a bit keen over the first couple of hurldes and then when he had settled into the race he found the ground just too soft and was unable to go when the pace quickened. This was the first racemeeting of the season for Cartmel, they are racing again on Monday and Wednesday this week, if you have never been you are missing out on a real treat, it is quite unlike any other track - and has the famous sticky toffee pudding shop in the village, thats why Alan always likes going there !!

	Perth Races - Sunday
	23rd May 2010 There were some very vicious and heavy rain showers at Perth early in the morning leaving parts of the racecourse underwater and the ground staff did a lot of work to get it clear by the time racing took place, the ground had gone from Good to Firm to Good to Soft, Soft in places. Strobe ran in the two mile four furlong handicap hurdle and was ridden by Alex Voy. He was running over hurdles again having had a couple of minor mishaps over fences the last twice he has run and he got a nasty gash on his last run so we were keen just to make sure that his confidence had not been affected by that. Alex jumped him off at the front of the field and together with another runner they did all the work up front and he was still in front and going well turning into the home straight on the final occasion, however he found the going on the final couple of furlongs just too soft for him and he was just unable to maintain the gallop. He finished a very encouraging fourth, he really seemed to enjoy his run.

	Musselburgh - flat
	18th May 2010 Agricultural was running in the one mile and a one furlong selling stakes, he was ridden by Paddy MacDonald and the going was Good to Firm. He slightly missed the break out of the stalls and was therefore always just a couple of lengths further off the pace than he would have ideally liked to be and just had to work a bit harder to hold his position. He was only just piped for fourth place having made some late progress on the outside of the field and Paddy thought that he would appreciate a step up in trip and some cut in the ground.

	York Races
	14th May 2010 Lochiel was running in the one mile and four furlong handicap stakes and he was ridden by Paddy McDonald. The going was Good to Firm and there had been quite a bit of criticism about the going after racing yesterday as many of the jockeys felt that it was much quicker than given. Again today there were a lot of non runners due to the state of the ground, many jockeys reporting that it was just Firm, which is not ideal for such a prestigious track. Lochiel behaved impeccably both in the preliminaries and also down at the stalls, he can be a bit of a monkey, but Paddy has ridden him many times and knows him well and he loaded well and settled in the stalls. He jumped out well but he just found the ground far to quick and he just would not let himself down and therefore he was not able to keep up with the early pace, which was pretty quick. He did make some progress about three furlongs out but was trying to get through weakening horses. Thankfully he was being ridden by someone who knows him well, as he realised that he was not happy on the fast ground he was not over hard on him, there will always be another day. He did not blow after the race at all and recovered very quickly, it was just frustrating that the ground was quicker than ideal.

	Perth & York Races
	13th May 2010 It was considerably colder at Perth on Thursday, it was pretty hard to believe that it is May, it felt much more like November. Both runners today were ridden by Alex Voy. The Sheepdipper was running in the three mile intermediate hurdle, although there were only six runners it was a very strong contest. The Sheepdipper has really grown up over the winter, as he used to get very wound up before his races but has really settled well, he was a bit keen in the early stages of the race but he jumped nicely and did settle into a nice rhythm, however he was a bit tapped for toe when the pace increased but he finished in fifth place. Shan Valley was making her racecourse debut in the two mile national hunt flat race. There were some pretty badly behaved horses in the parade ring and a bucking bronco who got loose on the way to the start, but Shan Valley was brilliantly well behaved, especially when all around her were playing up. Alex had her towards the front of the field, and she settled really well and got into a nice rhythm throughout. There was a bit of bumping in behind her, so she was well placed to keep out of trouble. She was always in the leading group and they pulled clear around the home turn. Alex let her drift over to the stands rails to allow her a clear passage home and also the rail would help to keep her straight over the final furlongs when she was tiring. She stayed on nicely to finish in fifth place, as really encouraging start from a truly genuine mare, who is only four but gave her all and was pretty tired afterwards. She was really given a lovely ride. We also had a runner at York, which only 250 miles away looked as if it was on the other side of the world from Perth, glorious sunshine and very green grass, the going was Good, Good to Firm. Strobe was running in the two mile and two furlong handicap stakes, he was ridden by Barry McHugh. He jumped out of the stalls well and led the field at a good pace from early on until they turned into the home straight and then he was bumped about a bit and then he was out of contention and he faded.

	Perth Races
	12th May 2010 We had one runner on a warm and sunny evening at Perth, where the going was Good, Good to Firm in places. Flaming Heck was running in the two mile handicap chase, he was ridden by Alex Voy. While he does generally run on softer ground, Alan walked the track on Tuesday and found that it was surprisingly softer than anticipated and he felt it was perfect for Flaming Heck to take his chance. Alex who now knows him so well gave him a very good ride, he again jumped well throughout the race and going down the back straight Alex pulled him out wide and he suddenly came back on the bridle and coming to the third last fence there were five horses in contention. However he was just did not have the finishing burst of speed that some of the other horses had on the quick ground. It may be now that on this sort of ground he needs a bit longer, but he really tried hard and enjoyed his race.

	Race For Life
	9th May 2010 WE DID IT! We did it, and truth be told we also quite enjoyed it some of us anyway. We all finished it a pretty good time of less than twenty six minutes, and we were all in the top forty home, and out of one thousand and nine hundred runners that was not a bad effort. Had we started a bit closer to the front we might have been even nearer the front, perhaps next year. It was a tremendous event, and with so many people involved all of who have the same goal, to try to beat this dreadful disease and we were only glad to be a part of that effort. We have raised an amazing figure, over £4000 and donations are still coming in, our online page will accept donations until the 27th June and after this date we will let you know the total that we have raised. Many thanks to so many of you for your fantastic generosity.

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	Newcastle Races
	26th April 2010 Agricultural was running in the one mile and two furlong handicap race and was ridden by Mick Murphy. He also is a horse who is looking really well at present and he won the Best Turned Out Award. He was steadied at the start of the race and was ridden with plenty of patience and turning for home he made a move on the outside of the field but just could not quite get to the leaders. He may have one more run before having a well deserved summer holiday, as he has been in training for a while and appreciates a bit of cut in the ground.

	Perth Races
	22nd April 2010 The Sheepdipper ran in the two mile maiden hurdle and he was ridden by Alex Voy. The Sheepdipper was also having his first run after his winter holiday and really needs a stronger test of stamina but this was the only race available for him at this meeting. As he needs further in distance he was always going flat out and struggling to lay up with the pace but he jumped really well and he did get up with the leaders coming up the home straight but lacked the finishing kick that some of the speedier horses had. The most pleasing aspect of his run was his behaviour before the race, he can get pretty wound up and can be hard to saddle and lead up in the parade ring but today he was a real gent, I hope that he has grown up and is now enjoying his racing. He will run again at the next Perth meeting.

	Perth Races
	21st April 2010 Guerilla ran in the three mile amateur riders handicap hurdle, he was ridden by Gillon Crow. Guerilla was running for the first time back from his winter holiday and although he probably needed the run he really looks amazing and has condition and muscle on him like never before, rightly he won the Best Turned out award. This was his first attempt at three miles and Gillon dropped him out early on in the race to allow him time to get into the race and kept him on the outside of the field just to stop him from switching off, he jumped really nicely and travelled well and made a move up with the leaders coming to the second last hurdle but then just ran out of steam by the last hurdle but still ran a great race. For a horse that would need the run he put in a great effort and Gillon thought that the trip did not pose any problems and was really pleased by the effort put in by Guerilla

	Kelso Races
	11th April 2010 We had three runners on what was a lovely warm day, the going had dried up a little but was officially Good to Soft, Good in places. The jockeys after the first couple of races reported that it was riding a bit dead but there was a good covering of grass on the track. Lochore who was ridden by Paddy Aspell was running in the two mile and six furlong novice hurdle. He is a smashing big horse who is just beginning to get the hang of racing and after being a bit keen early on in the race he settled well and made a lot of ground late on in the race staying on strongly up the long run in to catch the eye of the racecourse commentator. He jumps so nicely and in a big field of novice horses it was important that Paddy get him into a nice rhythm early on in the race and he kept him wide of the field so he could see his hurdles. He has earned himself a nice holiday and he will be a horse to look forward to next season. Mark Bradburne took a nasty fall at the first hurdle in the race and was taken off to hospital, we wish him a speedy recovery. Primrose Time ridden by Brian Harding was running in the three mile and one furlong handicap chase. This was her first run over three miles but with the ground a bit better than she has encountered this season we were keen to see how she would see out the longer trip. Brian had her in a perfect position on the outside of the field and she was in about third place and jumping like an old pro, however, with a circuit still to race the ditch on the side of the track caught her out and she took a heavy fall. Thankfully she was able to get to her feet and galloped off after the field she even jumped the next fence before Peter Buchannan caught her and brought her back, she has got a nasty cut on her lip and looks as a bit battered but lives to fight another day. Unfortunately Brian has broken his arm, a clean break and we wish him all the best for a speedy recovery. Having just spoken to him he said that he was having a great ride on her and that she was a dream ride, and jumping for fun sods law. She was still travelling so well and although it was far too early to say what would have happened at the business end of the race but we are still none the wiser about the three miles. Having watched the race several times I still cant say why she fell, there just wasnt a stride there and she had to guess. She has just gone out in the field and bucking and kicking quite happily. Sunnyside who was to have been ridden in the bumper by Mark Bradburne but was replaced by Paddy Aspell. This was his fourth run in a bumper and this was by far the most competitive race that he had contested and the going was quicker than he had encountered so while hoping for a good run there were a lot of good horses in the field. Paddy had him handy throughout the race, he can be a bit strong in the early stages and just needs settling in behind others. About four furlongs out he found himself at the front and although pressed by others he kept pulling a bit more out, he was headed by one horse who pulled a few lengths clear up the run in but Sunnyside was the only horse to give him a race and was beaten about seven lengths, with another twenty or so back to the third horse. This was another really solid race from a very exciting prospect for the long term future he deserves a nice holiday now.

	Musselburgh Races
	4th April 2010 While Ben, Sophie, Tom and I stayed at home to see what the Easter Bunny had left us, Agricultural went to Musselburgh. He was running in the one mile and four furlong maiden race, he was ridden by Barry McHugh and the going was Good to Soft. He put up a nice solid performance and was able to get competitive turning into the home straight, he swung into third place making good ground, and he could not quite maintain that position to the finish. He will be much better suited in handicap races, as at this time of year maiden races on the flat are very competitive.

	Hexham Races
	3rd April 2010 Flaming Heck, ridden by Alex Voy ran in the two mile handicap chase on Saturday. The going was Soft, Heavy in places but was changed to Heavy after the first race. It must have been pretty hard work for the horses in the long distance races as they were all finishing very tired. Flaming Heck was having his first run for a while as he had a nasty cut before Christmas and then was like everything else held up with the snow and ice. He got a bit squashed early on in the race, which did not suit him as he likes to see where he is going and he has probably lost a bit of his speed for two miles and is better suited these days to two and a half. He jumped nicely and finished, in his own time but will have come on plenty for the run, the older he gets the more canny he is at home. He may go back to Hexham in a couple of weeks time.




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