Good form continues

The good run of form for the yard continued last week with two third places from just two runners. Bushy Glade ran well above her 33/1 odds at Yarmouth to finish in the money and she shouldn't be too long waiting for a win as this was her first try in a handicap.

Hopefully we can get some more good results this week with a handful of runners heading to the track.
On Monday, Opus Too and Celestine Abbey go to Windsor in search of some more racecourse experience. Opus has had just the one career run to date but he showed plenty of promise when getting the hang of things late on. He's bound to find life easier in handicaps after three runs but he can certainly hold his own in maiden company.
Likewise, Celestine Abbey will probably be seen to best effect in handicaps but there definitely is a good maiden run in her. She wasn't disgraced at Sandown last time and another good show should be on the cards.

Opus Too (Danny) & Automotive (Ross)

Honeymoon Express (Shelley) & Celestine Abbey (Ryan)

 

With a better chance of winning on Wednesday is Automotive at Sandown. It's true that he seems to run better in amateur races as all his three career wins to date have come in them but he has run well in normal races plenty of times so there's no reason why he shouldn't win one. He finished third last time under Ryan Moore but the ground was probably a bit too firm for him on that occasion so he may not have shown his true ability. He can have an off day now again but I'm hopeful of a big run.

Not a meeting goes by at Yarmouth without a runner from our yard and we're back there on Thursday. The Ducking Stool recorded her sixth course win last time over 1m6f but there isn't a race over that distance there this week so she's got to step down in trip. It shouldn't be too much of an inconvenience and she always gives her best.
Honeymoon Express was a bit disappointing last time but maybe the ground was too soft for her. She has been improving in her runs before then so if she can get back on track, another placing could be on the cards.
Also entered beside the seaside is Bethan. She has finished 3rd on her last three runs at the track and is desperate for soft ground to improve. If it stays dry, no doubt she'll be placed again but if it rains, I really think she'll win.

Avidly has been enjoying a few weeks in the field to freshen up after a pretty long campaign and she's back now refreshed for action once again. She's only cantering at the minute and it'll be a couple more weeks before she is galloping again.

Avidly (Reno)

 

The Tattersalls July Sale has always been a happy hunting ground for us to buy new horses in the past and, although value was hard to come by, I managed to pick up a lovely filly called Don't. Formerly trained by Luca Cumani, she won first time out as a two-year old but has run poorly in two starts since when running far too keen. She obviously has the ability to win so it's just a case of getting her head right again and keeping her happy. She has been bought to run in the colours of one of my longest-standing owners, Dick Creese.

Don't

 

There are also another pair of new faces as two yearling fillies arrived from Ireland. The darker coloured filly is by Holy Roman Emperor and from a family we know well, being a half-sister to our good mare Emma's Gift as well as prolific winner Ocean Legend. All of the family win races so here's hoping she can continue the tradition when hitting the track next year.
The other filly is by exciting first-season sire Approve. Her family are also prolific winners and I'm delighted to be able to offer shares in her for the price of £2000 per 10%. She looks an early type and hopefully can run as good as she looks! Full details are on the website: www.juliafeildenracing.com under 'Horses for Sale'.

Appprove & Holy Roman Emperor yearling fillies

 

In the last few weeks this part of the blog has been dedicated to the riding exploits of our apprentice Shelley Birkett and she continued her lucky run with the biggest win of her career at Newmarket yesterday. Although unable to claim her allowance in Listed races, she showed she is more than up to the job by steering Noble Protector to a cosy win. Thanks must go to her trainer Stuart Kittow and also her owners for allowing Shelley the opportunity to shine on a bigger stage.

Noble Protector & Shelley cruise home at Newmarket