My apologies for not updating the blog in recent weeks. My mother fell ill in mid-November and subsequently passed away so I have been pre-occupied with family matters.
I hope to be at Kelso on December 29th and get back into the swing of things nito the New Year.
The Horses To Follow list has done quite well to date and below is a summary of performances and prospects:
BAL DE RIO – L – Ran into a decent one in Slanelough at
Carlisle. The only prominent finisher yet to win from ‘that race’ at Kelso and
is entered at Sedgefield on Boxing Day on a pretty reasonable mark of 115.
BEYOND THE CLOUDS – w4/6, w2/5 – Won at Kelso in a race
which has thrown up multiple winners and then sluiced up from a 132 rated
animal at Musselburgh. Looks all over a Graded class novice hurdler that I
suspect will be kept to better ground.
BIGIRONONHISHIP – L – Faded to a stand still on the run in
over 3m 2f at Carlisle with no report of an ailment, so presumably his stamina
gave out in testing going.
BIG RIVER – w11/5, L – Put in a sound performance on Kelso
debut, but suffered a fibrillating heart on his next outing at Haydock.
Presumably recovered after treatment by the vets at the excellent Easter Bush
facility as he is entered at Kelso on the 29th December.
CELTIC FLAMES – L, L,
w5/2, L – Made a very promising chasing debut when winning at Hexham,
but was well below that form at Newcastle. The latter course can throw up some
odd results and I’d give this one another chance.
CLOUDY DREAM – L, L ,L – Three very creditable second places
on the face of it, but carried his head at an odd angle when running at Cheltenham.
Quoted in the betting for races at various distances at Cheltenham.
COCKLE BAY – Not yet run
FAGAN – L – Put in his place by Black Corton at Cheltenham which
was disappointing.
FLY RORY FLY – Yet to appear for his new stable
JONNIESOFA – w 11/4 – Picked up where he left of two seasons
ago when jumping like a veteran to win at Carlisle on chasing debut. Entered at
Wetherby and Kelso in Christmas week. A very promising novice chaser.
JUST MINDED – L, L – Ran as if there was a problem on last outing
and a watching brief is advised at the moment.
LADY SAMBACK – Entered once but withdrawn due to the state
of the ground.
PLANET NINE – L, L – A bit one paced over 2m 4f to date but
has ability and should step up on this form in time, maybe over three miles.
SIMONE – L – Unlucky to run into a decent mare at
Musselburgh, bearing in mind this department is generally weakly contested up
here. That said, the effort was step up on Perth form and this one should win
soon. Entered at Doncaster and Kelso on December 29th.
SOME REIGN – L, w1/2, L – Another graduate of ‘that contest’
at Kelso. Won well next time before blotting his copybook when refusing to race
at Musselburgh recently.
TESTIFY – w11/4, w5/2 – Two decent efforts over fences to
date, particularly given that it could be argued he’s run over a distance short
of his best. Has beaten decent opponents on both occasions and the McCain
stable look to have a very decent novice chaser on their hands.
THOMOND – Yet to appear for his new stable.
TOTAL ASSETS – L – Decent enough effort in a competitive Class
3 chase at Catterick last time and capable of winning a race or two in the coming
months against less stiff opposition. Entered at Kelso on December 29th.
WAITING PATIENTLY – w4/5 – Very impressive at Carlisle on
seasonal debut and arguably the best northerner chaser ahead of stablemate
Cloudy Dream.
WEYMSS POINT – L, w7/1, L – Won well at Wetherby and not
disgraced under a penalty when third there next time.
Record to date
RUNS 30
WINS 10 (33%)
RETURNS 32.07
A good win percentage though prices maybe a little
disappointing. Still we are in profit and 33% wins is better than I might have
expected.
