Suffering seconditis

After such a great season with plenty of different horses surprising us and winning, it's no surprise that luck has turned on us a bit. That's not to say things have gone dramatically down hill, far from it, but we are currently suffering with a bit of 'seconditis'.
First it was Handheld being mugged at Newmarket a few weeks ago and now it is Tiger's Home and Attain who both found one too good at Wolverhampton recently. I suppose finishing second is better than finishing last so the horses must still be in great order but it is a bit frustrating to keep hitting the woodwork!

Hopefully we can get win number 19 on the board this week with a few good chances.
First up is Hamble on Wednesday at Lingfield. After winning at Newmarket in the summer, he has struggled a bit since but remains in good order and is not too exposed on the all-weather so there could be more to come. The trip and track should suit him so hopefully he can grind it out from the front.

Believe In Me has a couple of entries and will run on Wednesday too providing she isn't balloted out but if she is, she'll head to Kempton on Thursday. She had a few problems over the summer so didn't run but made a promising comeback over too far last time. She's improved a lot for the run and the drop to one mile will be ideal. She may just surprise us if things go right.

As already mentioned, Attain was mugged at Wolverhampton last week but it was good to know he can handle the track's deep surface so we're heading back to the course with him again this Friday. He's still a maiden after 18 runs but there's nothing wrong with his attitude and he'll win one very shortly.

Bestfootforward keeps getting balloted out of races and it's very frustrating as she is ready to win again. She's in at Lingfield on Saturday and will go close if getting a run.

No Such Number is going hurdling at the start of next month and he had another session over the sticks on Friday. He was a lot more professional this time and got nice and low at the jumps. He'll have another refresher just before he runs and hopefully he can do well at the game.

No Such Number (Trevor Whelan)

We had a visit from two old friends today as Richard Perham came to see us aboard Spirit of Sharjah. After Spirit of Sharjah retired from racing in August, Richard agreed to have him as a pony and the pair seem very happy with each other in their new life. Richard used to ride Spirit when he was racing so it's good that he knows him and I think Richard enjoys the distraction of riding him after a hectic day working as a jockey coach at the British Racing School. I'm pleased to report neither of them have put on too much weight since leaving the yard!

Richard Perham & Spirit of Sharjah

 

Last weekend our apprentice jockey Shelley Birkett rode in Abu Dhabi in an international apprentice riders' race and she did well to finish sixth despite the horse not being the fittest. She didn't come back with much of a tan but had plenty of fun and is freshened up for the winter action. Unfortunately she didn't bring any rich Arab owners back to the yard though!

Shelley in 4th place with a circuit to go at Abu Dhabi