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.
Denne historien er fra December 2023-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
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Denne historien er fra December 2023-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
LOOKING BRIGHT FOR IRISH STARS
Karl Hedley reports as jumps challengers pile on the heat across the water
WELL SET TO STEP AHEAD
Ben Morgan has ten warming prospects to follow in the coming weeks
CUE FOR MANY A CELEBRATION
Graham Buddry recalls the life and times of jumps legend Cue Card
KID KAN DOO FOR NICHOLLS
Paul Jacobs casts a close eye over leading picks for this month's big races
TWISTER RUNS MASTER CLASS
John Anthony watches Nigel Twiston-Davies' star catch time judges' eye
NO LEAVES ON LINE TO SLOW THESE FLYERS
Simon Nott enjoys a West Country Weekend catching up with ring pals
EXPECTATIONS SOAR AT RIDGE
Nick Townsend talks to rising Newmarket training star James Owen
KID KAN DOO FOR NICHOLLS
Paul Jacobs casts a close eye over leading picks for this month's big races
NORMA'S COLOURS ARE FLYING PROUD
Robert Cooper sees Percy Willis and Kaadam grace white and green spots and red cap
CHIANTI FLOWS AS NEW LION GROWLS
Prior to the National Hunt season 'proper' getting underway at Chepstow the question on many people's lips was whether or not Willie Mullins would target a second consecutive British trainers' title.