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
CAL'S UP TO TOP SPEED
John Anthony keeps close watch on the top ranking track fliers
ACTION REPLAY
Graham Buddry recalls the exploits of legendary hurdler Large Action
SHADOW IN THE LIMELIGHT
lan Heitman follows the fortunes of next year’s leading Classic prospects
GONE WILDE
Rolf Johnson fears the effects of a thoroughbred market bubble’
DIGGING OUT THE JUMPERS
The former Sky Racing frontman is all geared up for the change of codes and clothing
MORE AMO FOR RALPH
Dave Youngman shares the joy and gossip from the Newmarket gallops
GO COSMIC NEXT YEAR
Andy Ayres shares his pick of punting prospects from the autumn action
NICO'S CAREER LEAP TO GLORY
Nick Townsend talks to Nico de Boinville about his life-changing choices
ALL SET FOR FRESH START
Karl Hedley is on the spot for the new season action across Ireland
DAN'S GRAND BID DAWNING
Paul Ferguson tracks a route for Skeltons from Carlisle to Aintree