Lincoln meeting Day 1- Saturday 30th March 2019

The surprisingly gorgeous weather resulted in a wonderful day at the races for the start of the season. Four of the winners were favourites and there were some very close finishes but also some easy wins like Auxerre in the 3:35. Unfortunately there was a faller in the Brocklesby, Anna Fallow, thoughts are with all the connections.

The third race had Hells Babe leading the race tracked by Gabrial, Red Starlight and Sharja Bridge. Circus Couture was held up but in touch with the rest of the field. Headway was made three furlongs out by Sharja Bridge with Circus Couture who was switched right. The leader Hells Babe only was questioned two furlongs out by Red Starlight as she began to lead but was quickly joined by Sharja Bridge who lay down a challenge. At the same time Gabrial was squashed and had to be switched, eventually managing to get a clear run alongside Remarkable. However Sharja Bridge kept on stronger than Red Starlight and managed to beat Red Starlight by 2 lengths. Gabrial kept on for third in the final furlong by 3 3/4 lengths with the rest of the field not too far behind.

The 3:35 the Unibet Lincoln had three non-runners due to a change in the going. The leader was Auxerre with Silver Quartz and Masham Star close up. The chasers were Raydiance, Humbert and Saltonstall. But due to the size of the field many horses ended being hampered in their running, switching for more room which included Beringer and Breden. When other horses were struggling Auxerre went well clear from early on avoiding getting boxed or stopped. In the final furlong more horses began to challenge including Kynren, Beringer, Ripp Org and Breden. Auxerre was chased by Kynren who towards the end did not have enough strength to challenge. Auxerre kept on unquestionably winning by 2 1/4 lengths. Second was Kynren and a dead heat for third between Beringer and Breden who were clear of fifth by a length. Perhaps if Beringer and Breden had clearer runs then maybe they would have been even closer. Auxerre undoubtably has a bright racing future due to his form and ease of win. Definitely one to watch this season.

Musselburgh Races

My first visit to Musselburgh races had some horses winning very easily without much effort from the jockeys on How Bizarre and Smart Illusion. It was not a day for the favourites as only one won. Due to the ground being different to when the horses were declared there were eight non-runners which often reduced the small fields further.

The second race had Smart Illusion in the front closely followed by Fighting Spirit and Aghast, chase was given by Melgate Majeure, with My Ukulele held up. The clear pace was set by Smart Illusion easily keeping the rest of the field behind him. Over three furlong out Fighting Spirit and House Deposit were being ridden along. Two furlongs to go and Aghast was no longer challenging Smart Illusion although Melgate Majeure was then struggling. Pesci was being pushed along. With one furlong to go My Ukulele made headway but there was no catching Smart Illusion who by this point had gone well clear, Melgate Majeure was very one paced in the closing stages and House Deposit could not keep up  with the pace made by the first three after being hindered. First went to the easy winning Smart Illusion by 1 3/4 lengths, second was My Ukulele who unfortunately just struggled to keep up holding on to his place by a neck and third was Melgate Majeure.

The 4:55 had Mr Shelby leading, tracked by Newgate Sioux, Windforpower and Pavers Pride, however Thornaby Princess was not too far off the pace. Kibaar caused numerous problems for Tom Eaves as he had to go down to the start early and then was very slowly away. At two furlongs to go Mr Shelby was still in the lead but Thornaby Princess was being driven forward. With one furlong to go there was a new leader in the form of Pavers Pride, Newgate Sioux was also holding on well and headway was made by Kibaar. In the final stages of the race Pavers Pride had to be pushed as Mr Shelby rallied again whilst Newgate Sioux and Thornaby Princess stayed on with the one pace.  Kibaar due to the issues in the early parts of the race was never able to make a challenge on the leaders. Going towards the line it wasn't clear which of the battling horses had got the win either Mr Shelby or Pavers Pride and it had to go to a photo finish where Pavers Pride won by a short head to second Mr Shelby and third Newgate Sioux by 1 1/4 lengths.

I'm not sure when my next blog update will be, but if you keep an eye on my twitter you'll be able to find out.

Southwell Races

The bank holiday raceday had a pretty good crowd and a double for jockey Charlie Bennett, yet it was not a day for the favourites as only two won with plenty of big prices coming in.

The second race had Four Wheel Drive taking charge of the race, closely followed by Requited, Epona and Champagne Mondays. However, Baldwin missed the break. At three furlongs out the lead went to Requited. At two furlongs out Four Wheel Drive and Champagne Monday were being ridden along although Epona was making movement up field. It was clear that Requited was not going to be caught as he kept extending the lead and the rest of the field were swiftly left behind. Requited came first by 2 3/4 lengths to second Four Wheel Drive by a head to third Epona.  If Baldwin had a better start to the race I think he would possibly have been placed as he made up plenty of ground.

In the penultimate race there was close competition for the lead between Limerick Lord and Thunderbell with Seaforth, Finsbury Park, Vicky Cristina and Bee Machine sitting just behind the pace. Limerick Lord managed to get a slight lead over four furlongs out, this did not last long as three furlongs out Bee Machine, Vicky Cristina and Gilmer made headway. At two furlongs the wide running Sunstorm was moving up the field, many of the field were beginning to get tired including Limerick Lord, Vicky Cristina and Ideal Angel. At one furlong out Bee Machine was still plugging on leading easily, whereas Sunstorm and Limerick Lord were being ridden strongly, many of the rest of the field were one paced compared to the three front running horses. First was Bee Machine by 1 1/2 lengths to second Sunstorm by 2 lengths and third Limerick Lord.

Next race meeting I will be blogging on is Musselburgh on Thursday and hopefully by the time the next meeting at Chepstow is planned it will go ahead if they can get the turf sorted out.

Redcar Races

The Gin and Gentleman evening saw best dressed man and couple competitions being very popular. There was also a double for the duo of Hollie Doyle and Archie Watson. Sadly there was an incident in the 6:30 with the jockey Phil Makin, getting injured as the horse Eyecatcher suffered a fatal injury breaking his leg unseating Phil and resulting in him being taken to hospital. There is a slight confusion over injuries but it is clear Phil has broken a bone in his neck, the whole racing community is wishing him a speedy recovery.

The second race had Haadhir leading the race chased by The Big House and The Grey Zebedee. Fognini who struggled due to stumbling at the start but managed to track the leaders four furlongs out. At two furlongs to go Liquid Lunch made headway and SDH Dream Team and Slieve Donard were pushed along. At one furlong to go Fognini was ridden to lead whilst Liquid Lunch began to challenge, Haadhir was headed yet movement up field was made by SDH Dream Team while a lot of field didn't have enough pace to keep up. In the end Fognini won as the pressure from Liquid Lunch kept him on, winning by a neck to Liquid Lunch and third Haadhir by 3 1/4 lengths.

The 6:00 had the lead constantly switching from horse to horse making it difficult to see who was at the front. Initailly it was Flo Jo's Girl, followed by Swiss Lady and Concello. Kermouster and Freed From Desire were prominent. With four to go Freed From Desire lead, this swapped to Concello at two furlongs to go. At this stage other horses were being headed like Freed From Desire, Donnago and Swiss Lady. With one furlong to go Northern Lyte picked up pace making swift headway compared to the drifting Concello and Mecca's Gift tried to give chase although it was too late. First was Concello by 1 1/4 lengths to second Northern Lyte by 1 1/2 lengths and third Mecca's Gift.

There also needs to be a mention for the Declan Carroll racing team and jockey Ger O'Neill who undoubtedly had his best ride ever on Titus in the Sky Bet Handicap at York. The future for this jockey, trainer and horse is looking very promising.

Carlisle Races

The weather with lots of showers resulted in a disappointing turn out for the races yet, it was not a day for the favourites with only two winning. There was also a double for jockey Kevin Stott.

The 3:50 showed a horse to keep an eye on as it won with so much ease. Rock Hill was the leader, and Zizum was wide but close up next to Rickyroadboy although Final Go tracked leaders near the in touch Sir Derrick. The rest of the runners didn't have much in them, but two furlongs out Rickyroadboy and Wensley were ridden out. The lead at one furlong to go changed to Zizum briefly as Sir Derrick got hindered in his running. However Fard and Danehill Desert were making head way, Final Go was very keen and going to the final furlong managed to get the lead. This horse throughout the race was not under any pressure with jockey Sam James willing to just sit behind the leaders and went on to win without much trouble by 1 1/2 lengths to Danehill Desert who kept on with Fard in third by a short head.

The 4:55 had Motahassen leading the whole way, with Dwight D and Bahkit prominent and being tracked by Sioux Frontier and Mr Coco Bean. The whole field was close with not much between them. Yet Motahassen did not have his lead challenged but swapped to the standside rail with two furlongs to go, Dwight D, Mr Coco Bean and Snookered were being ridden strongly to keep in touch,  most of the field closing around the leading few. With one furlong to go Motahassen was now being ridden along and driven again, Dwight D was challenging and battling for the lead. Snookered and Mr Coco Bean were merely staying on and Bahkit and Sioux Frontier had no more to give. As the challenge from Dwight D became stronger, Motahassen just went clear and kept on well winning by 2 lengths to Dwight D, second by 3/4 of a length to third Snookered who finished 4 lengths clear of the rest of the field. This gave a well deserved winner to the trainer Declan Carroll who has been continuously knocking on the door with numerous seconds in the past couple of weeks.

Next blog update will be on Saturday's racing at Redcar.

Thirsk races

Family fun day at Thirsk races had plenty going on with a variety of activities for all ages including face painting, bouncy castle and pony rides but it was also a day for the favourites. With a double for trainer Keith Dalgleish. 

There was drama in the second race as the results were reversed after an stewards inquiry. Strip Search swiftly lead closely behind him was Farol, Frosted Lass and Fuente. Get The Rhythm was tracking the leaders and this was much the same for the first four furlongs until the lead was taken by Fuente. The race began to develop over the last couple of furlongs, at two furlongs out Frosted Lass, Musical Sky were pushed along as Farol lost its place. With one furlong to go Get The Rhythm took up to challenge for the lead with Fuente. Frosted Lass and George's Law were ridden along. In the last furlong all the attention was on Fuente and Get The Rhythm as Fuente drifted into Get The Rhythm, they bumped multiple times and they managed to get the best out of each other. Originally Fuente won by a nose until the stewards enquiry in which they announced that the positions would be reversed as Fuente disrupted the running of Get The Rhythm. Third was Frosted Lass 6 lengths behind who just struggled to keep up with the front pace. 

In the 4:35 Box and Cox was leading the race narrowly to Shawaamekh, followed by Juthoor and Star Shield. Out paced from early on was Fire To The Reign and Red Allure who missed the break slightly. Over two furlongs out Shawaamekh went to the front, with Seek The Moon and Red Allure already being pushed along. This was unchanged for the best part. With two furlongs to go when Juthooor began to give chase but Star Shield and Thunderbolt Rocks were both struggling for room to make progress. But at one furlong to go Juthoor was driven to lead and Shawaamekh was headed, when Star Shield was switched he had a better run but was only singled paced. Thunderbolt Rocks due to his difficult position only managed to get a run at the end, unfortunately there was no chance of him reaching the leaders. Juthoor kept on to beat Shawaamekh by 1 1/2 lengths and he had given his all. Third was Star Shield by 5 lengths.

Pontefract Races

Ladies Day at Pontefract Races had the course being packed with plenty of people many vying to be presented with either the best dressed man, lady or have the best hat. The threatening stormy weather had the happiness of the day hanging in the balance.

The second race saw Watchmyeverymove briefly lead before Ventura Ocean took it, being chased by Bugler Bob, Watchmyeverymove and Coolagh Magic. This was much the same for the whole race. Up to two furlongs out Aghast, Coolagh Magic and Swiss Connection were ridden along struggling with the pace. With one furlong to go Ventura Ocean was driven well clear despite it being obvious from three furlong out that it would go onto win with a slight challenge at one furlong out from Bugler Bob. Rail side racing saw Watchmyeverymove outpaced. It appeared that much of the field soon weakened, compared to the strong going Ventura Ocean that went on to win by 1 1/2 lengths to second Bugler Bob by four lengths to third Watchmyeverymove.

In the 3:50 it was an outsider that came in to win which shocked plenty on course. Grandee was leading narrowly to Mukhayyam who was tracking alongside Tor. The two at the back were Reverend Jacobs, the favourite, and Bolder Bob. There was progress made by Bolder Bob at five furlongs to go whereas Star Of The East made it look difficult work. At two to go Bolder Bob began to chase Mukhayyam and Tor and Reverend Jacobs were being ridden harshly to try keep up. Bolder Bob quickly began to challenge Mukhayyam and Tor, causing close competition between them. The lead within the final 50 yards changed multiple times between the three horses making it difficult to call, resulting in  a photo finish. First was Bolder Bob by a nose to second Mukhayyam, third Tor by a head. After fourth place the distance between the horses increased greatly.  Bolder Bob was a huge outsider at 16/1.