After another wet and windy week, the team are all eagerly anticipating the action at Newbury on Saturday, where we have two runners in two big races. Boothill and Altobelli are both capable of running strong races, so I hope luck is on their side!
Running in the Grade 2 Game Spirit is Boothill (14:40). He seems in really good form in himself, and we’ve been pleased with his schooling, having unfortunately come down at Kempton on his last start, but he was none the worse for that. We’re all very much looking forward to, hopefully, putting that behind us this weekend.
Altobelli is all set to run in the Betfair Hurdle (15:15). The conditions, luckily, are looking very much like they will suit him. He’s run two very good races at Ascot so far this season and we’re hoping that he can carry that form across into the Betfair Hurdle, which is always competitive, but we think he’s got a good chance.
Update on Love Envoi and Gidleigh Park
Having both run very good races at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day, I’m pleased to report that both have come out of their races well. It was fantastic to see Love Envoi running with her usual enthusiasm, and we were all very pleased with Gidleigh Park’s winning effort. There’s certainly more where that came from! Both are still on track for the Cheltenham Festival in March, where Love Envoi will be aiming for the Mares’ Hurdle. We’re undecided, as of yet, whether Gidleigh Park will run in the Baring Bingham or the Albert Bartlett and will make the decision closer to the time.
Caldwell Construction Dispersal
I wasn’t really surprised by Caldwell Potter’s price tag, with the hammer falling on €740,000 at the Caldwell Construction Dispersal sale. I actually thought he might have made more, in fact, considering the price paid for once-raced Point-to-Point winners nowadays! It’s obviously still a huge amount of money, though, but we can all be glad that that sort of investment has been put into the National Hunt game.
Have a great weekend,
Harry