The start of the turf season- Doncaster Lincoln Saturday and Sunday

The start of the flat turf season commenced with great racing and even better weather.
Saturday 
With three favourites winning on the day, it was definitely the day for the outsiders with some big wins including a 50/1 winner.
The second race, at 2:25, had a huge field which allowed Humbert to lead the with High Acclaim, Lord Of The Rock and King's Pavilion following close behind. Although on the other side of the track Kynren was close to the rail with Sand Chorus slightly more central. The race remained the same up till the three furlong marker when Humbert was pushed along with headway being made by High Acclaim, Lord Of The Rock and Taqdeer. At the two furlong marker Seduce Me and Kynren were ridden along. One furlong to go saw High Acclaim go to the front, heading Humbert along with the one paced Kynren, Lord Of The Rock and Pastime who all just managed to stay on. First place was the 50/1 winner High Acclaim by a neck to second place Humbert by 2 1/2 lengths, third was Kynren by a neck to fourth Lord Of The Rock.

The 4:10 had Gingersdunthelot soon leading, tracked by Izzer and the prominent Haats Off, Tizwotitiz and Arthur's Spirit  just sat close. At two to go head way was made when Izzer began to take charge of the race, headway was made by Broken Spear, Wasntexpectingthat and Haats Off yet Gingersdunthelot dropped off after making the pace.  With one furlong left Wasntexpectingthat and Lihou were both driven onwards but it was too late as Broken Spear and Izzer battled it out to the winning line both heading each other, but Izzer held on for the win by 3/4 of a length, to second Broken Spear who were well clear of third (1 1/4 lengths) Wasntexpectingthat.

Sunday 
There were 12 non-runners with the best weather of the weekend, and a favourite being placed in every race apart from one. The family fun day saw plenty of activities for all ages including; a pony race, face painting and an animal petting zoo.

In the early stages of the 3:00 the lead quickly switched from Rockies Spirit to Prevent, chased by Assimilie, Stealth and First Contact. Good headway was made by First Contact, Robsdelight and Pacific Fleet who had every chance at two to go as he was chasing the leader First Contact. However approaching the final furlong First Contact was ridden well clear and won by three lengths to the ever competitive Robsdelight in second and the going well Pacific Fleet in third by a neck.

The 4:10 had a small field of four horses. Across The Stars and Saigon City were the leading pair tracked by Great Hall and Royal Line, this did not change much for the whole race until Saigon City was ridden well clear one furlong out, the rest of the field not being able to keep up with the smooth travelling of Saigon City. Across The Stars and Royal Line chugged on at the same pace whilst Great Hall was hugely out paced. There was not catching Saigon City winning by 5 lengths, the second was Across The Stars by 3 1/4 lengths, third was Royal Line by 34 lengths and fourth was Great Hall.

Southwell Races- 22nd February

The bitterly cold wind put a bit of a negative slant on the day, with it being the day for outsiders, only two favourites winning and three were placed. The two most memorable races came reasonably late in the day at 3:45 and the 4:20.

In the 3:45 many of the horses were equal in the first furlong until Foolaad and Archimedes made headway just after the first furlong marker to lead the pack having Poyle Vinnie, Ascot Day and Erissimus Maximus give chase. The field didn't change much throughout the race everyone else trying really hard apart from Foolaad and Erissimus Maximus who sat smooth up to one furlong out, where Poyle Vinnie who had a struggle getting through the pack had to be switched at this point and when he got room under Luke Morris he could challenge. Foolaad who didn't find the race too difficult stayed on well along with Erissimus Maximus. Whilst there were a few one paced horses in the closing stages such as Archimedes and the disappointing Captain Lars who after chasing leaders 2 furlongs out eventually had nothing else to give after drifting to the far rail. This sprint was won by Foolaad by 1/2 a length, second was Poyle Vinnie who beat Erissimus Maximus to third by a neck. The rest of the field was a minimum 1 1/2 lengths back.

The penultimate race the 4:20 Tilly Devine and Simply Clever led swiftly, tracked by Avocet, Travis Bickle and Clayton Hall and the rest of the field was in the rear never really having an impact on the race. The placing was not altered much until the 3 furlong marker when Avocet had made easy headway soon to join Tilly Devine and Simply Clever although at this stage Travis Bickle was being pushed along. This joint lead was dismantled at 2 furlongs out as Avocet went clear and led (this stayed the same for the rest of the race) despite the horrendous meandering first to the left at one furlong marker and then to the right in the last, this did not affect his race and he went on to win. Simply Clever who was ridden out at two furlongs to go, this was the same for Leonard Thomas, eventually the rest of the field just gave up. The first place went to Avocet (a favourite) by six lengths to second place Tilly Devine who was eight lengths ahead of third, Simply Clever.

First Racing of 2018- Southwell races

Happy new year, hopefully this year will have some even better racing than the last. Despite it being bitterly cold and only six races the turn out was decent at Southwell Races with only one favourite winning, a few long shots won which made it difficult to pick a winner.

The 2:25 had Cosmelli leading from the off, tracked by Galileo's Spear, Storm King and Kensington Star. Cosmelli clearly ruled the race, choosing when to pick up the pace and when to have a breather round the bends which was great riding from Tom Eaves. The positions in the field didn't really change until three furlong out when he was pushed and joined by Epitaph (who had a few reminders at the start) and the favourite Snowy Winter. However, Epitaph at two to go had nothing more to give yet Snowy Winter managed to close some of the gap.  With one furlong to go Cosmelli kept going on strong to win by 6 lengths despite drifting across the track, second place by 1/2  a length was Epitaph who stayed on despite pressure from Snowy Winter who finished 5 lengths behind.

In the final race Break The Silence took keen hold for the first two furlongs of the race until Chaucer's Tale took the lead. The favourite, Mr Coco Bean, was towards the back of the field with Shearian, Scribner Creek and Sea Of Hope tracking the leading pair. When it came to three furlongs out Shearian began to make headway along with Mr Coco Bean. At two furlongs out Chaucer's Tale was ridden along, Break The Silence was also trying with Mr Coco Bean giving chase but at the 2 furlong marker Shearian began to steam ahead and kept on strongly under apprentice Ger O'Neill who had his first win for this year by two lengths. Second was Chaucer's Tale by 1 1/4 lengths and third Break The Silence by 2 1/4  keeping on at the same pace. The first three horses were well clear of the rest of the field.

Southwell Races

Only one favourite managed to win on the sunny yet mild day at Southwell races, it was a good day for Fran Berry who had a treble. Not such a nice day for Robert Winston who despite having a winner in the first narrowly winning by a nose, picked up an excessive use of whip ban for 2 days.

The 1:35 was a sprint with all runners very closely bunched, with Razin' Hell only having a short lead over the rest of the field. The real competition became apparent with one furlong to go when Tilly Trotter, Razing' Hell and Kickboxer began to draw forward of the other runners. Kickboxer who had been dwelling in the rear drifted quite badly. When it came to the finish  Declan Carroll trained Tilly Trotter easily pulled clear of the chasing Razin' Hell and the momentum gaining Kickboxer, who is one to definitely watch next time out. Crosse Fire unfortunately kept on at the same pace. With Tilly Trotter in first place by a head, the second saw a dead heat between Kickboxer and Razin' Hell with Crosse Fire in fourth.

In the 2:10 Claiming Stakes the tiny field of four runners, Samtu lead the pack closely followed by Gabrial's Star and tracked by Bertie Moon and Iniesta. This stayed the same until the four furlongs marker when Samtu was pushed along but in less than next furlong was headed by Gabrial's Star whilst the rest of the field were starting to make an effort. With one furlong to go it was evident who was going to win as Gabrial's Star kept extending his lead making it look simple and easy. The rest of the field was being driven but Gabrial's Star was not going to be caught. First was Gabriel's Star who was eased down, by four lengths, second Samtu by a head, third was Iniesta and fourth Bertie Moon. None of these horses were claimed.

This was my last blog for this year, hopefully next year there will be even more great racing. So, Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all.

Beverley Races

Great weather and additional pony races on the card made it a long day. It was also a day for favourites winning three races and being placed in 6.

In the 3:50 race Bosham led for 2 furlongs with Mininggold and Spirit Of Wedza tracking along with Sandra's Secret close up and Point Of Woods. Headway was made by Mininggold with Hilary J close behind, two furlong out however Sandra's Secret led. With one furlong to go Point Of Woods made a move up the field, Mininggold was ridden to chase Sandra's Secret. Point Of Woods, Grandad's World and Mininggold kept on well but Sandra's Secret weakened. First place was Mininggold by 1 1/4 lengths to second Sandra's Secret by 1/2 length and third was Point of Woods.

In the 5:00 race there was a Richard Fahey field day. Society Red made all tracking was Appointed, Euro Nightmare and Bear Valley. The positions didn't change much until two furlong out when Society Red was pushed out, The Statesman and Montataire had to make up ground with Appointed right behind Society Red. In the final furlong Society Red was well and truly being chased by The Statesman and Appointed. At one stage Appointed looking like she was going to go on and win, yet Society Red under a great ride by James Sullivan held on well towards the finish by a neck to second The Statesman by 1 1/4 lengths and third Appointed. All the other horses followed closely behind.

The final race was an apprentice race in which there was plenty of potential for future jockeys. Many of the riders were women suggesting that more women will be venturing into racing. The winner was Ivors Involvement ridden and trained by the female duo, Rhiain Ingram and Tina Jackson.

Ripon Races- Family Day

The family fun day had plenty of activities for children ranging from face painting and balloon animals to having a go on the Equisizer. The mild weather caused it to be a great day and one for the favourites with four out of seven races won by favourites. There were doubles on the card for PJ McDonald and Silvestre de Sousa.

The first race had two horses fighting for the lead. Hippeia and Alaskan Beauty with Perfect Thought
were prominent, Elation and Clubbable were held up. Halfway through the race headway was made by Elation, with two furlongs to go Hippeia was headed by the improving Clubbable and then lead Perfect Thought, but with one to go Elation ran on well. Perfect Thought only kept on as did Clubbable. Elation was the winner under Silvestre De Sousa by 1/2 length to Perfect Thought in second and third Clubbable by one length.

There was a selling stakes at 2:45, yet the winner was not bought in the auction and no other horses were claimed.

In the 3:45 race Captain Dion was fast away to take the lead followed by Sir Billy Wright and Jaywalker but was tracked by the 11/4 favourite Bossipop (after recent good form and win just a week ago at Pontefract).  At two furlongs out the lead began to change from Captain Dion who was  headed by Jaywalker whilst Red Pike and Sir Billy Wright were both pushed along. Avon Breeze who was slow out of the gates and throughout the race having been wide or out back at two furlongs  began to move up the field. With one furlong to go she closed on the leaders, but now Bossipop was being pushed along and at one point looked likely to win as he made headway of the rest of the field. However Avon Breeze (the in-foal mare) made astonishing progress in the last 50 yards and went on to win by 1 length to Bossipop who was just unlucky on the day, third was Jaywalker by a nose who just lost second place.
Before the race Signore Piccolo ran freely down to the start trying its hardest to have Paul Mulrennan off, which in the end he did making him a non runner. Snap Shots refused to race after planting himself in the stalls.

Look out for my update on Ladies' Day at Ponte races.

Beverley Races- family fun day

The going being good to soft resulted in a fair few non runners (8 to be exact). The Bark de Triomphe, a race for dogs owned by jockeys with two heats the first 3 dogs from each went to the final was a great success. Danielle Mooney's dog, Beau, was the winner.

In the second race Bridey's Lettuce was ridden clear followed closely by Cool Music, Moon Over Rio and Heaven Scent. The whole race was controlled by Bridey's Lettuce no others managed to get close. With two furlongs to go headway was made by Petrify who had previously dwelt, Cool Music,  and Taste The Wine. Moon Over Rio and Heaven Scent both weakened. In the final furlong Bridey's Lettuce drifted left whilst Cool Music kept on at the same pace and Petrify carried on well, Bridey's Lettuce was unstoppable going on to win by six lengths, second was Cool Music by 1/2 length, third was Petrify. This race was a selling handicap and the winner was auctioned off, bought by Adam Pogson for £7.5K.

The 3:45 race had Windforpower misbehaving in the parade ring having Ben Robinson off and running free down to the start before he was caught and put in the stalls. Tarboosh was quick away along with Robben Rainbow, tracked by the leader Foxy Boy. With two furlongs out Foxy Boy and Kody Ridge was ridden along, Musharrif moved up the field. There was challenge at one furlong out to Foxy Boy who was eventually headed by Windforpower and Tarboosh. Unfortunately Windforpower kept on at the same pace with nothing else to give but Tarboosh just quickened away eventually winning by 3 1/3 lengths, second Windforpower by 3/4 to Foxy Boy for third.

Thanks to Ben Curtis for selfie.