No badge for Newmarket

Unfortunately we didn't get lucky, lucky, lucky at Newmarket's Kylie Minogue night last Friday but I was pleased with how they all ran and we learnt plenty for next time. I wasn't as happy with the racecourse itself as they seemed reluctant to let even the owners in on what was a sell-out night. Usually owners are allocated a set amount of badges and are then allowed to buy any additional ones at half-price, no matter what the raceday. However, Newmarket refused to do this which left some owners, who pay thousands of pounds a year to have horses in training, unable to see their horses do what they are meant to - run. Plenty of others were in a similar situation and the matter was taken up with Newmarket Racecourses' MD Amy Starkey so hopefully this kind of embarrassment for the course won't happen again. Holding music nights to attract new racegoers is all well and good but it shouldn't be to the detriment of those who keep the sport going.

Rant out of the way, let's move on to the week ahead.
Kicking off on Tuesday, we're heading down to Brighton. Honeymoon Express has been struggling to find her form for a while now but as a result she has dropped in the weights and now gets into 0-60 handicaps. I think this level is what she will be able to be competitive at again. She is in good form but I just have some reservations about her ability to handle the track. It's a unique place and you don't know how you'll go until you run there.
The same could be said for Dark Diamond who accompanies her. He's a well-balanced horse though who went round the sharp bend at Salisbury last time like he was on rails so I think he'll be alright. He too has dropped to a good mark and the trip looks to be ideal for him.

Dark Diamond (Caitlin)

Bethan has been a really consistent mare since returning from a winter break and she looks to continue her run at Wolverhampton on Friday. She finished second over the course and distance two starts back and seems to be very happy at home. Her optimum conditions are soft ground on the turf but with all the dry weather, rain is hard to come by so we're running on the dirt to keep her ticking over.

Bethan (Megan)

Silver Alliance went up six pounds in the handicap for his Brighton romp and I feel the handicapper could have been a lot harsher. He is on a career-high mark though so needs to up his game but he showed last time that he certainly has plenty of ability on his day. I was planning to send him to Chester but there looks to be a better opportunity at Windsor on Saturday. He is a bit of a law unto himself so I couldn't tell you what he will do!

Veeraya (Adam) & Silver Alliance (Ross)

Go On Gal has got two runs under her belt now and has improved with each run so I'll give her another at Windsor on Sunday. She will be in her element when the juvenile handicaps start in August and we will get a handicap mark after this run so then she will be in business.

I'm delighted to say that Vastly is finally ready for a run after his list of injuries. He could have gone to Leicester on Tuesday but the ground would be a bit too firm and I couldn't risk his legs on that kind of surface. We'll have to be a bit more patient with him to wait for the right day but he is going great at home and seems to have come back an improved horse. He is still lightly raced for his age and won the lat time we saw him so there should be more to come.

Vastly (Adam)

Another horse we've had to be patient with is Duke of Diamonds. Now three-years old, he is starting to get the hang of things and I've penciled him in for his debut on July 1st. He is still very immature mentally so the experience will do him plenty of good.

Duke Of Diamonds (Mark; centre)

The foals play around

THREE TO FOLLOW UPDATE

Steve Moore 14
Ros Cousens 13
Megan Digby Baker 12
John Birkett 12
Malc Shields 11
Mark Rimmer 11
Julie Feilden 9
Geoff Roberts 7
Barbara Walton 7
Gordon Hill 7
Shelley Birkett 7
Adam Beschizza 7
Jim Stevens 7
Poppy Feilden 6
Brian Reilly 6
Eddie Partridge 6
Jonathan Kinge 6
Rita Aspland 6
Sam Feilden 6
Steve Springford 6
Ryan Moore 6
Julia Feilden 6
Liz Moore 6
Dave Morris 6
Paula Smith 6
Jason Coote 6
Sophie Collington 6
Steve Clarke 6
Chris Shirran 6
Phil Collington 6
Rachael Shucksmith 6
Rob Weston 6
Dave Barnett 6
Allan Forster 3
Bill Burgess 3
Linda Wright 3
Stephen Broadley 3
Martyn Clark 3
Trevor Fuller 3
Dominic Lisle 3
Barry Hine 3
Lee Cousens 1
Tina 1

Carol Bushnell 1

PLUS 29 OTHERS ON ZERO POINTS