Flying high

My talented young apprentice Adam Beschizza had another flight this week, this time to Pisa. Where he is competing in the Young Jockeys Challenge, a series of races for young riders across the globe. This will be his first rides since his winter break in November, then he's back for a book of rides at Kempton on Wednesday where he is reunited with Bavarica, the mare who gave him his first winner and was also his first ride at this venue. The ultra-consistent mare is finding it hard to win with her handicap mark being so high, last year she won 3 races and is now running off an all time high mark.

We we're unlucky last week not to score with out runners on Friday night at Wolverhampton. Khajaaly put up another sterling effort to finish 2nd when not getting his ideal conditions with a slow pace in which he pulled to hard, and Premier League who is running consistently of late could not reel in Attrition, although Vertumnus did them both on the line. But I can't complain if they are in good heart and running to the line. Entrance also didn't get the run of the race at Kempton on Wednesday, they went very quick (only a second outside the course record) and she doesn't have a very high cruising speed, but will find a race when the handicapper is kind to her. Night Orbit is becoming very frustrating following his lack-lustre performance at Doncaster the same day. Usually he is a game front runner, jumping with zest but he just sulked and was never travelling. He is getting on a bit and knows a little too much about they game these days, considering how well he works at home (nothing can get him off the bridle!).

My son Ross will be arriving home tomorrow following a 4 month stint in Dubai for the winter working for Gill Duffield and Meydan T.V. Hopefully this experience bodes well for him in the future, although he is dying to come home and ride some thoroughbreds instead of the small, buzzy Arabian horses!

A final plead to anyone who has not yet voted. Following Mattie Batchelor's never-say-die ride on Baggsy at Towcester in November, he has been nominated for Jumps Ride Of The Year at the prestigious, annual racing awards The Lesters. You can send your vote via e-mail at thelesters@racingpost.com putting the jockeys name in the subject heading. Also, with a possible chance of a Lester award in their hands in Mr Beschizza who has been nominated for apprentice of the year, although this is not a public vote.