Runners + THREE TO FOLLOW IS BACK!!

It may have taken Attain 23 runs to finally get his first win but I'm hoping the next one won't be too far away as he heads to Wolverhampton tomorrow with a great chance.
He won by six lengths at the track last weekend and the handicapper put him up 8lbs in the weights so he will need to put in another good performance but the victory seems to have done his confidence the world of good and he is bouncing at home.

Attain wins at Wolverhampton last weekend

 

Accompanying him to Dunstall Park will be Vastly. He too has found winning difficult but his run last time was a step in the right direction after having a back problem. He is quite a big and stuffy horse so I can imagine he will be a bit fitter this time too although we had done plenty with him before then. I had the choice between running him here or Southwell the next day but I'm glad I went for the first option as it doesn't look a great race. Our main question will be whether he needs a longer trip like this so maybe that will be the key to success.

Vastly (Ross)

 

Heading to the races on Tuesday will be another who ran an improved race last time in Previous Acclaim. She seems to handle Southwell's unique surface well so it makes sense to return there. The step up to a mile seemed to her liking last time too so hopefully all is in place for a good run. She is only small but tries her heart out and deserves to win soon.

When previously trained by Sir Michael Stoute, big things were expected of Meddling as her homework was very impressive but she never seemed to show similar form on the track. Her debut for us was a bit disappointing too but I think the seven furlongs that day was too short and she could do with further. This impression is supported by her breeder who emailed me after she ran to say that he too thought the filly would prefer a longer trip and they had tried telling Sir Stoute before with little response! Hopefully they're right and we will see on Friday as she tries 1m2f at Lingfield.

Meddling (Graham), Veeraya (Shelley) & No Such Number (Reno)

We're still waiting for the rain to stop to get No Such Number a run back over hurdles. He won on his debut over the sticks at the end of last year but hasn't had a chance to strut his stuff due to the soft ground ever since. It's not ideal but he may have to run on the all-weather again just to keep him ticking over. He doesn't seem to perform as well on the sand but it will be another run under his belt to keep him in top form for when the heavens dry up for a while.
Veeraya was a bit disappointing last time in fourth place after such a good debut for us but I think the race may have came a bit too soon and we're giving him a good break before he runs again on March 1st. He is a funny horse to train as he shows next to no ability on the gallops but can certainly run when he hits the track.




Handheld (Danny)

 

 

Avidly (Ross)

A couple of years ago we ran a 'Three to Follow' competition and it proved a great success with over 100 entries and plenty of entertainment over the year. It's probably time to do it again as now Ross is back he can sort it all out. So, here are the rules:

• You pick three of our horses to follow for the season March 1st - December 20th and each horse will earn points for finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any race.
• One horse must be chosen from POOL A (two-year & three year olds) whilst two horses are chosen from POOL B (older horses).
• All turf, all-weather & jumps races count so pick the horses that you think will earn you the most points throughout the year!
• Once you've chosen, email your 'Three to Follow' to Ross at rbirkett1989@hotmail.co.uk
• It's free to enter and there's a £100 prize to the winner so it would be stupid not to enter!

POOL A   PICK ONE
Duke of Diamonds, Opus Two, Captain Navarre, Previous Acclaim, Italia, Celestine Abbey, Mercy Me, Bushy Glade, Tolly McGuinness.

POOL B  PICK TWO
Honeymoon Express, Candesta, Silver Alliance, No Such Number, Sheila's Heart, Avidly, Meddling, Luhaif, Vastly, Automotive, Attain, The Ducking Stool, Bethan, Veeraya, Omega Omega, Amelia George, Handheld, Sadiigah, Tiger's Home.


GOOD LUCK!!!