A carefully planned early finish at work during Winter months normally ties in with a race meeting at my local track, Ludlow, and I managed to sneak off there again at the start of my punting month.
I enjoy being able to stand, in my own peace of mind, on the side of the parade ring and take everything in. It’s amazing what you can pick up from just watching and listening from that position and although I wouldn’t confess to being a natural horseman, I’ve picked up enough down the years to understand what a ‘fit’ horse looks like and more importantly what ‘confident’ connections look like.
I was keen on a couple unexposed novices going into the day and if you were to tell me before the first race that none of them were to win I would have offered you long odds.
Norman Fletcher seemed to have a penalty kick in the opening novice hurdle but Henry Daly unleashed promising novice Wyenot and he showed a good bit of stamina to power past Nigel Twiston-Davies charge late on.
After that I certainly expected the well-supported, expensive Itack Blue to do the business in Division 2. However, he ran like a horse who has severe wind problems as he bombed out on his first start AFTER a wind op.
Baby Sage very nearly made it on my ten-to-follow list this year but just missed out, however, I didn’t expect her to miss out here. Unfortunately, she unshipped at the first and strong market vibes meant very little in the end.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2023-Ausgabe von Racing Ahead.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2023-Ausgabe von Racing Ahead.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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Tragedy Hits Racing Family - Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters
Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters. I will be far from alone in recent days in being overcome by emotions ranging from utter disbelief to revulsion upon hearing of the unspeakable acts perpetrated upon John Hunt's family, resulting in the death of his wife Carol and daughters, Hannah and Louise.
AUDIENCE IS ERUPTING
John Anthony reveals the latest top speedsters after another Glorious Goodwood
HORSE OF A LIFETIME
Graham Buddry pays fresh tribute to track legend Sea The Stars - surely one of the greatest ever
IT'S TIME TO TAKE STOCK
Paul Jacobs looks forward to seeing some big on-track questions answered
PLAYING TO THE WHISTLE
lan Heitman flies about to keep pace with a rush of two-year-old Flat action
WINNING JOY ON A BUDGET
Richard Eagle takes a trip to Windsor to check out peoples' route into the port of kings
GIFT HORSES AND FRENCH LESSONS
Robert Cooper finds 'retirement' is keeping him busy
FEUD GETS THE PARTY ROLLING
Karl Hedley savours the Galway Festival action and picks out the summer highlights at Ballybrit
ROCKING THE MONEY BAGS
Simon Nott reveals his recent experiences from trips to Brighton and Ascot
FLYING EVE'S BORN TO WIN
Nick Townsend talks to in-form trainer Eve Johnson Houghton