Week In Review
Revels Hill 3rd & Phoenix Way 5th at Ascot (Feb 18th)
We ran both in the same race, the market couldn’t separate them, and we certainly couldn’t separate them! There was only half a length between them on the day. Revels Hill was doing all his best work at the finish. We know he stays further, so all being well that is what he will get next time as he’s been entered in the Midlands National. As long as the ground is not too testing, he should see that trip out well. The opposite can be said of Phoenix Way. He travelled into the race well, but the 3 mile trip just stretches him. He won a valuable prize at the track over 2 miles 5 furlongs. That trip on a stiff track is ideal for him, however he’s run another solid race. We will probably target the Topham Chase at Aintree in April over the National fences.
Altobelli 1st at Carlisle (February 20th)
We made a rare trip to Carlisle searching for softer ground which we duly got. It was a good performance which made it a worthwhile journey. We didn’t set out to make the running, however he took a hold going into the first and once he jumped it he settled into a nice rhythm. Bryan went around in a nice tempo and couldn’t believe how far clear he was when he looked around. He won very impressively on the bridle. Quite what he beat we don’t know; however we were delighted to see him step forward from his last run. There is still room for improvement in the jumping department. He’s done plenty of schooling and he was sharper and much more focused on what he was doing. All being well we will step up in grade and target either the 2 mile or 2 ½ mile Grade 1 novice hurdles at the Grand National meeting at Aintree. He continues to be a very exciting prospect.
Hay There Mona 1st at Taunton (February 21st)
She relished the step up in trip. We were a little unsure whether a faster track like Taunton on a faster surface would suit, however all went according to plan. Ben Bromley gave her a lovely ride on his first winner back after his enforced lay-off. She’s won well in the end. We’ll aim to go back to Taunton for a similar race in a month’s time. Getting her to win though was very satisfying.
Weekend Preview
Friday
In Excelsis Deo 15:00 Warwick
We gave ourselves the option of the Pendil Novices’ Chase with him, but we have Boothill in that. We felt he had a bit to find on ratings, so we thought it made more sense to go the handicap route. He is 9lbs higher than when winning at Hereford on different ground conditions. However we are stepping him up in trip which hopefully will counter that. Obviously, we are taking on more experienced rivals, but there was a lot to like about what he did at Hereford, so hopefully he can continue to progress.
Hubble Trubble 17:15 Warwick
She makes her racecourse debut and is from a family we know well. As always with these bumper horses you just don’t know until you get on the course. She will need the experience and will be all the better for the run, however it’s a nice place to get her started.
Saturday
Boothill 14:25 Kempton
He’s been running very well over 2 miles, but we have to place him where he is going to be most competitive, finding the best opportunities for him. He’s already won at Kempton and with ground conditions in his favour we certainly thought it was worth a look. Hopefully it will open up some more options for him. If all goes according to plan on Saturday, we’d skip Cheltenham and go straight to Aintree. We have every confidence that he will see out this trip. He appeared to get outpaced in the Lightning Novices’ Chase but was staying on well at the end of the race. It’s never as straight forward as it looks, however on paper and on the ratings, he looks to have a great chance.
Dubrovnik Harry 15:07 Chepstow
He’s got an entry in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham but needs to finish in the first four to qualify. However, first and foremost we need to put a disappointing run behind us in the Lanzarote. It will be interesting to see him step up to 3 miles for the first time. He’s always struck us as a staying chaser, so you would like to think on this better ground, this trip should be well within his grasp. If we can get him back on track and Saturday goes to plan we’d have the option of the Pertemps Final at the Festival.
Beat The Bat 16:52 Chepstow
He was just touched off on his debut at Wincanton on Boxing Day having pulled 10 lengths clear of the 3rd. It was a very encouraging start to his career, so hopefully he can go one better on Saturday. We’d like to think he has progressed from that first run with the experience under his belt. He is a lovely horse in the making and we are hopeful he can gain compensation.
Have a great weekend.
Harry
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