1 January 2019
We are finally at the end of 2018 and what a year it has been. Looking back at last spring when we ‘enjoyed’ plenty of snow and slow ground well into April followed by the long, hot summer of quick ground. When they are watering to maintain good as they were at Doncaster in December tells you how dry the Summer and Autumn were. It has played havoc with running plans and we will wait and see what the weather throws at us in 2019!
Fly Home Harry kicked off the year in great style for our Racing Club and may well return to Huntingdon in the same race, off the same mark. It was good to finally get Shanroe In Milan into the winners enclosure after many placed efforts.
Ballydine was impressive in the Master’s Chase at Sandown in February, beating the enigmatic Loose Chips who finished a gallant third. Louse Talk won two novice hurdles at Warwick and Carlisle, whilst Just Don’t Ask won twice in the snow at Ayr and Uttoxeter. Castafiore won well at Uttoxeter over hurdles in February and finished the year off with a win over fences at Wincanton.
Pete The Feat hit the headlines with one of the most memorable receptions after winning at Sandown under a great ride by Johnny. Just Your Type looks to be a decent soft ground staying chaser and he completed a double on the day with Pete. Leith Hill Lad enjoyed the better ground to win at Kempton.
April arrived and as we prepped Pendra for a National run, Bentelimar broke our Aintree duck with an emphatic win of the Red Rum Chase, that is a day not to be forgotten for a while! Leith Hill Lad won a second chase at Exeter and Jet Set lived up to her promise by winning at Huntingdon. Bestwork won his sixth race of the season at Kempton, proving to be our final winner of the 2017/18 season.
May is a peaceful month after the busy end of season, however brother and sister Nightline and Nightfly both got their heads in front for their owner-breeder, Mrs Flory. Nightline won over 3 miles and Nightfly over 2 miles!
Way Out West is not the most straightforward horse but in June he finally put everything together to win at Southwell.
July started extremely well with a double at Cartmel courtesy of Kilfinichen Bay and Hammersly Lake, plenty of sticky toffee puddings to go round! Bestwork placed a poor performance firmly behind him to win the revived race of the Worcester Grand Annual Handicap Chase in great fashion and we collected our prizes from HRH Princess Anne. I never would have thought it 2 years ago that he would be winning such a valuable race, but Bestwork loves to surprise you! Aunty Ann may be little but she is tough and consistent, she won well at Uttoxeter at the end of July and Jordan gave her a fantastic ride to win again at Wincanton in October.
There was no end to the heat wave in August, however Midnight Shot won well at Cartmel and followed up in October with success at Fakenham.
September soon arrived with our Open Afternoon and Hammersly Lake winning again at Perth. Cardigan Bay put in an eye catching performance to win her bumper at Fontwell and Treackle Tart won well over fences at Worcester. There was a sad note as September drew to a close as we lost Bentelimar, leaving a massive hole in the yard just as the season was about to get going
With courses continue to bemoan the drought, we took advantage of the better ground with Ortenzia to win on her chasing debut at Bangor. Vivas won his first of three Novice Handicap Chases this Autumn and Winter at Fontwell. Scented Lily won decisively at Market Rasen when stepped up in trip and Vivas won his second chase at Plumpton. Monty’s Award had the Fixed Brush final mapped out for him for a while and it is great when a plan comes together, as it did when he won at Worcester.
November saw Nightfly win a second chase of the season and the enigmatic Loose Chips return to the winners enclosure in the Pete The Feat Veterans Qualifier at Sandown. Kilfinichen Bay won his second race of the season at Sedgefield.
Vivas kickstarted December with a fantastic win at Doncaster. Diger Daudaie won on his second start over hurdles and a double on Boxing Day courtesy of Willie Boy and Castafiore proved the perfect Christmas present! Our final winner of 2018 was the lovely Treackle Tart who put on a fantastic performance to win at Doncaster.
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12/01/2018 |
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