Summer is well and truly behind us and with the softening ground its all systems go! As some of you may know I am now writing (in my spare time!) a weekly column in the Racing and Football Outlook where I will be discussing the previous weeks runners, entries and general goings on at Woodway Farm – there is always an entertaining story or two to tell. It has been a while since my last post so lots to catch up on........
Giant O Murchu ran on the 5th October in the 2mile handicap hurdle at Towcester. With fast going there was guaranteed to be a lot of pace. Harry Skelton had him well settled and dropped him into the race picking up the early leaders coming up the hill. In a hands and heels finish he secured a 5 length victory. The drop back in trip to 2miles and the furious pace both worked to his advantage, this was a great confidence boost for the horse that we can hopefully work on. The next day we took new recruit, Brough Academy, to Worcester for the 2mile novice hurdle. Brough Academy was from the Joanna Morgan yard in Ireland and was found for owner Frank Caudwell by Anthony Bromley and David Minton having won and been placed in bumpers. He jumped well and showed a very professional attitude during the race and came 2nd by 1 1/2 lengths to the useful Elsafeer (winner since). We were very pleased with this run and he'll have a step up in trip for his next outing.
On 15th we took yard favourite Shammy Buskins to Cheltenham's showcase meeting for the 3 mile novice hurdle. This looked to be a stiff task for Shammy and at 40/1 in a field of 9 I wouldnt have advised anyone have their house on him! He did however run a brilliant race and styed on well from 2 out to finish a very good 3rd (if only they had 4 mile novice hurdles!). This was a great run with the added bonus of picking up some good place prize money.
Mzuri Bay ran at Plumpton on 17th following up from a disappointing run in a handicap at Uttoxeter on the 2nd. It was decided after that run that cheek pieces and a longer trip were needed. The plan was to front run with him in what was a quite competitive 3mile 1 handicap hurdle, we hoped this would encourage him to travel better and give him a better view of his hurdles. This all seemed to go to plan and when the unfortunate Inner Steele fell at the last the race looked at our mercy. Despite putting in much better performance he just got collared close to the line by Only Witness however this was a much improved effort and a step in the right direction.
Following up from a good run at Towcester, Giant O Murchu was entered in the
After a great run at Cheltenham it was decided by owner and trainer to give Shammy Buskins another run. A 3mile 1 novice hurdle at Warwick (a course close to home for owner Phil Morgan to travel to) on good to firm ground looked ideal. With a field of only 4, tactics were left to jockey Andrew Thornton to decide as the race unfolded. With no troubles at the start and jumping away well he travelled nicely until looking to get slightly outpaced 4 out. Andrew knows the horse well though and this did not worry him, he gave him time and by 2 out looked well in contention and went onto win strongly by 1/2 length. There was a very happy owner ready to greet Shammy in the winners enclosure, he'll now have a well earned winter break.
On 3rd November Turtle Thomas had his first outing after his mid-summer break. He ran off top weight in the 0-120 over 2mile 5 at Towcester. Unfortunately he was never really travelling and stayed on only to make 5th. Connections were slightly disappointed with this run and think that 3mile over fences maybe in order for his next run.
Amirico joined us from the Venetia Willams yard and had his first run from Woodway Farm on 5th at Sandown in the conditional jockey 2 1/2 mile hurdle. He went off a well supported favourite in favourable conditions. Connections decided a mid div position with a view of his hurdles would be the tactics, creeping into the race late on. However, despite being bonfire night there were little fireworks from Amirico who didnt jump half aswell as he does at home and always looked a little under pressure finished a disappointing 11th out of 18. There are no real excuses for his performance and hopefully he will improve on his next run.
Frontier Dancer was another horse new to us who came from Nigel Twiston Davies yard. He had been showing good form and class on the gallops and schooling and from what we knew about him it was decided to run in the 0-130 hurdle over 3mile at Ffos Las. It was a competitive event and he travelled well throughout, jockey David Bass had instructions to ride him to get the trip. Turning in 3 out he looked to be to the winner but a slight mistake at the last gave the fast finishing Caddie Master a good chance. However, he stuck his neck out and battled gamely for a short head win. This was a very pleasing performance from Frontier Dancer but the race gained more publicity for the second placed horse whose jockey, AP McCoy, gained his first suspension under the new whip rules which have been highly controversial since being introduced by the BHA.
On Tuesday 8th King Ozzy ran in the 2mile hurdle at Huntingdon after a below-par run in a 2 1/2 mile chase. The hope was the drop in trip and back over hurdles would allow him to be nearer the pace but on rain softened he was well in till 2 out and then faded to finish 6th. He will now have a winter break to avoid the softening ground and have a wind operation.
On Saturday 12th we are taking Universal Soldier to Uttoxeter, he is in great form and has grown into his large frame over the summer so are hoping for a good run from him.
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