JUMPS racing takes a mini-summer break with Uttoxeter the last meeting on Sunday until racing returns at Market Rasen on 17th August.
While we did not quite add to our winners tally in the last few days, Chemical Warfare came closest with another good run to be second at Uttoxeter on Friday.
Ocean Heights was our sole flat representative in recent days and he ran his best race on turf to be third at Sandown. He was flat out early doors over 1m2f but stayed on well up the hill to be third. Jockey Rossa Ryan was pleased with his effort and recommended a step back up in trip again next time. He is likely to run over hurdles again as well in due course.
With no jumps racing in the coming days, we won’t have many runners this week but Rebel Angel runs on the flat at Leicester on Wednesday. She returns to 1m4f after staying on well over a shorter trip at Chepstow last time and just only missing out on the placings, in a four way photo for third place!
Oceanline has an entry at Glorious Goodwood on Friday in the opening staying handicap on the card. He has run well in both starts on the flat this summer and looks worth a try at this extended distance of 2m4f. Our only other runner this week could be on the other side of the English Channel once again.
Heure De Gloire may board the ferry to France to run at a little track in the North-West of France called Senonnes on Saturday. There is a similar race to last time at Dieppe where she finished third and we would love to be able to pick up some more prize money again. The entry for the race does look quite ‘hot’ so we will have a look at other runners before deciding whether to travel. Our jockey from last time, Nathan Howie, has unfortunately broken his leg so we will have a different jockey on board, should we run.
Sirekoff was a recent purchase from the Goffs UK Doncaster Sale last week and he is looking for an owner. He is a five-year-old son of Sholokhov who has finished second in two maiden hurdles in Ireland. He was recommended to me by former trainer Shark Hanlon who said he will win races!
He jumps well and has a rating of 112 over hurdles. There is a race for him at Newton Abbot when racing resumes and so you will get instant action if you would like to own him! He has settled in well since arriving, goes nicely up the gallops and has a good attitude. He is good value at £15,000 so please get in touch for more details.
The great summer of sporting action continues with the Olympics in Paris over the weekend. Many congratulations to the British Eventing team on their team gold medal and in particular Laura Collet on her individual bronze. I do enjoy watching all the different sports and it was again brilliant to see Tom Daly win another medal, a silver in the 10m diving on Monday morning with new partner Noah Williams.
It is his fifth Olympics and fifth medal and he does feel like one of our own coming from Devon! There is plenty to look forward to in the coming days and on the racecourse, there is of course Glorious Goodwood and the Galway Festival to enjoy alongside this as well!
Racing column written by Dave Pipe