Southwell races

The bad weather did little to dampen the spirits of the punters however it did result in racing being cancelled after the fourth race. But the majority of the racing was not anything particularly special.

The 2:45 had Azor Ahai with a slight lead to the chasing Artois and Azzeccagarbugli. There were many tracking horses including Directory, Tukhoom, Glory Of Paris and Angel Palanas. Samphire Coast and Makambe were towards the rear. Four furlongs out and Azor Ahai  lost the lead to Angel Palanas. Three furlongs out is where the positions in the field were under the most change. Headway was made by Makambe, Directory, Tukhoom and Glory Of Paris. Samphire Coast and Angel Palanas were pushed along. At two furlong out Directory was ridden to lead from Angel Palanas despite the effort made by Tukhoom. Makambe and Samphire Coast needed to be ridden along. In the final furlong Directory was driven out as was Tukhoom. Makambe and Samphire Coast merely kept on whilst the rest of the field weakened. Yet Directory was keeping on well not being caught by Tukhoom who didn't make any impression towards the finish. First was Directory by 1 1/4 lengths, second was Tukhoom by 1 1/2 lengths and third was Makambe by a short head.

In 3:20 there was no surprises with the outcome. Hareem Queen had a little lead, to the close up Moonraker, Foolaad and Samovar. There was a split between centre and stands' side rail. Moon Trouble chased the leaders but Tawny Port was held up. Two furlongs out had a change of pace, many being ridden along including Moon Trouble, Moonraker, Fooland and Samovar. Although headway was made by Tawny Port, Hareem Queen kept the lead. At one furlong out Tawny Port and Hareem Queen were ridden along. Samovar, Moonraker and Fooland were driven out. Moon Trouble quickly weakened. Entering the final furlong Hareem Queen was headed by Tawny Port. He went to win with ease by 1/2 length. Moonraker and Samovar were only keeping on at the same pace. The winner was Tawny Port, second was Hareem Queen by 1 1/2 lengths and third Samovar by 1/2 length.

This is my final blog for the year, hopefully next year will be filled with even more racing!

Carlisle races

The early change in ground had the ground riding a bit dead. There was some interesting outcomes of the day including the 25/1 winner in the first race. The horse to watch from the card was Avenue of Stars, who once had room had a lot of pace. It was clearly a day that if a horse was not prominent they would not win.

The fifth race had Strawman making all, chased by Bentley Wood, Lady Latte and Stag Horn. However Roman's Empress, Copperlight, Three Dragons and Notation were held up. At two furlongs out the whole field drifted towards the centre especially Strawman. Some of the field were pushed along including Stag Horn, Tree Dragons and Lady Latte while Notation made headway. One furlong out Bentley Wood was making effort to be competitive but the lead had not been disrupted from Strawman. Merely keeping on was Stag Horn, Notation and Black Star Dancing. In the final furlong there was no catching Strawman with Bentley Wood being one paced and Stag Horn couldn't reach the front. First Strawman by 1 1/2 length, second Bentley Wood by 6 lengths, third Stag Horn by a short head.

In the 4:30 Harvey Dent led followed by Alotabottle, Redarna, Nubough and Fuente. But Mikmak and Global Gift were held up, Rousayan was slowly into stride. Nubough, Redarna, Feunte and Global Gift were being ridden at two furlongs out. With one furlong to go Alotabottle took the lead heading Harvey Dent at the same time Global Gift attempted to chase. There was by this point a large gap between these three and the rest of the field. Yet in the final furlong Alotabottle drew clear whilst Global Gift made no impression. The winner was Alotabottle by 2 3/4 lengths, second Harvey Dent by 2 1/4 lengths and third Global Gift by 1/2 length.

I'm  not sure when my next blog will be due to moving this will effect my racing. Follow my twitter feed to keep up dated!

York Races

York races family fun day had something for people of all ages. With various activities from paw patrol to face paint and games and so much more. The pony races saw the stars of the future take to the stage. The races provided a competitive hard to call card. Platform Nineteen continues its winning streak having its four timer.

The first race had four horses in a row with a slight lead to Clan Royale, tracked by Alben Spirit, No Mercy, Ishvara and Lady Nectar. Unifier dwelt towards the rear and Leapers Wood had a tricky start before chasing the leaders. Halfway along the race headway was made by Unifier but  Willing To Please began to chase the leaders. With two furlongs to go Alben Spirit moved up the field with Sam's Call, Ishvara and Leapers Wood being ridden out. One furlong out Clan Royale was leading comfortably with Unifier beginning to challenge. Alben Spirit was close too. Unfortunately No Mercy's jockey Ben Curtis lost his whip effecting his running going into the final furlong. The rest of the field in the closing stages merely kept on whilst despite drifting Clan Royale held on well. Unifier just couldn't catch the leader. First was Clan Royale by a neck to second Unifier by 2 lengths. Third was Alben Spirit. The second was well worth an each way bet coming in at 66/1!

In the 2:55 Dakota Gold made the running, tracked by Danzeno, Yolo Again, Marnie James and Perfection. Rock On Baileys was towards the rear and Princes Des Sables raced wide on the stands rail. Marnie James and Rock On Baileys moved towards the front at two furlongs out as Perfection made an effort. But some of the field weakened. At one furlong out Dakota Gold was driven along but it was clear from here he would not be caught. Danzeno did try to challenge as did Marnie James. But eventually Perfection, Marnie James and Danzeo kept on at the same pace. The winner was Dakota Gold by 1 3/4 lengths to Danzeno by 1 3/4 lengths and third Marnie James by 3/4 lengths.

Southwell races

The glorious weather had the Nottinghamshire Sports Day theme very busy and the racecourse was full of people of all ages. There was fun for all the family. The eye catcher of the race meeting was Blowing Dixie. He made the 1m 4f look easy even in the heat. The two pony races before the first race, one of the jockeys Edward Vaughan is clearly destined to become an apprentice jockey and then go further.

The 3:00 had the horses very close together throughout. It was hard to see much separating Maystar, Augustus Caesar, Royal Context and Strong Power. Close up was One Bite and Order Of Merritt. There was the slightest lead to Maystar. Royal Context and Abbaleka made headway at two furlongs out while One Bite was ridden along. At one furlong to go  Augustus Caesar, Royal Context and Maystar were pushed along.  In the final furlong Maystar was narrowly headed by Augustus Caesar but Strong Power and Royal Context kept on at the same pace. However Maystar rallied again to take the lead in the closing stages. Augustus Caesar had no more to give. First Maystar by 3/4 lengths, second Augustus Caesar by a neck and third Strong Power by 1 1/2 lengths.

The fourth race had Warrior's Valley leading, tracked by Dark Shot,  Zylan, Samovar, Airglow and Ebitda. Fantasy Keeper and Crosse Fire were not far off the pace. Over two furlongs Warrior's Valley and Airglow needed to be ridden along but the dwelling Lomu made headway. At one furlong out Crosse Fire was ridden to lead with Fantasy Keeper challenging. Dark Shot was ridden at this point as was Warrior's Valley. Within the final furlong Lomu and Airglow had no more to give like most of the field. Warrior's Valley weakened, Dark Shot  and Fantasy Keeper were single paced. Unlike Crosse Fire who kept on strongly. The winner was Crosse Fire by 1 1/2 lengths, giving Scott Dixon a double on the day. Second was Fantasy Keeper by 1 3/4 lengths, third was Dark Shot by 1/2 length.

Catterick Races

The momentary power cut did not inhibit racing as power was reconnected before the first race. With a few horses misbehaving and tack breaking two jockeys were off, Phil Dennis (who was fine) and Ben Robinson (who went to hospital). I hope it's nothing too serious. A very in-form trainer is Tim Easterby and his horses need to be watched having a treble on the card and Duran Fentiman having a double. Two horses to watch are Kodimoor and Ahorsewithnoname.

The second race had Infinite Grace lead, closely followed by Exclusively, Good Night Mr Tom and Knightcap. Bob's Oss and Woven Quality were not that far off the pace. In the rear were Gold Venture and She's Easyontheeye. Two furlongs out headway was made by Knightcap, Good Night Mr Tom began to be compete for the lead from Exclusively. Bob's Oss, Woven Quality and Infinite Grace were all ridden along. At one furlong out Knightcap was ridden to lead. Bob's Oss and Good Night Mr Tom fought towards the finish both driven hard. But Exclusively, Woven Quality and Infinite Grace were weakening slowly. Knightcap went well clear of the rest of the field winning by 3 1/4 lengths while Bob's Oss narrowly went in front by 3/4 lengths for second. Third was Good Night Mr Tom by a short head.

The 3:00 Super Florence led with Santafiora, Spirit Of Zebedee, Night Law and Carlovian all tracking. Midfield were Mr Greenlight, Point of Woods and B Fifty Two was towards the back. At the half way marker the lead was taken over by Night Law. At two furlong to go there was movement up the field by many including B Fifty Two, Mr Greenlight, Santafiora and Spirit Of Zebedee. Carlovian was being pushed along. One furlong out Night Law was ahead. Spirit Of Zebedee, B Fifty Two and Mr Greenlight chased. Some were one paced including Santafiora and Point Of Woods. The closing stages made it clear that there would be no catching of Night Law by 3/4 length, second B Fifty Two by 1 3/4 length and third Spirit Of Zebedee by a neck.

I'm also looking forward to the Ebor meeting, let's see what Enable and others can bring!

Thirsk races

The change in ground meant that there were a few horses withdrawn but this did not put a dampener on the family fun day. There was a variety of activities including animal petting, donkey rides and face painting. There additionally was a storm which resulted in a flag start. Also there was some shocks with the first race being won by a 22/1 outsider, Lady Erimus.

The 2:20 had Baltic State leading, chased by Balancing Act, Araifjan and Kilham. Midfield was Sendacard. Many of the field dwelt. The leader was uncontested until two furlongs out, Balancing Act, Music Therapist, Kilham and Sendacard were pushed along. In the final stages Balancing Act took the lead, there was however a battle between Sendacard and Baltic State for second position. Arafjan, Music Therapist and Kilham all had no more to give, plodding slightly. Balancing Act kept on well to win by 3/4 length, second Sendacard by 1 length, third was Baltic State by 2 lengths.

The fifth race had Three Saints Bay in the lead, chased by Raydiance with The Broghie Man and Dan's Dream in midfield. The backmarker was Remarkable. Raydiance was being ridden along at three furlongs out. With two furlongs to go Dan's Dream was pushed up the field while Three Saints Bay, Remarkable and The Broghie Man were all ridden. At one furlong out Dan's Dream challenged the leader Three Saints Bay. Raydiance became one paced and merely kept on. Remarkable and The Broghie Man made no impact on the race. Three Saints Bay driften towards the rail side, this couldn't even stop him going on well to win. Dan's Dream had no more to give. First was Three Saints Bay by 1 1/4 lengths, second Dan's Dream by 1 3/4 lengths and third was Raydiance.

I'm unsure as to when my next blog will be follow my twitter to find out!

Nottingham Races

There was a change in going from soft to heavy in places, therefore a few horses were withdrawn. Richard Kingscote had a quick fire double winning the first and second race. It clearly was a day for the favourites winning 5 out of the 7 races. A horse to watch for the future is Platform Nineteen as it won impressively.

The 3:25 had Mr Strutter lead for one furlong before a strong pace was set by Loose Chippings. Classic Charm was soon prominent, Carey Street, Showboating and Hitman were held up. Bruyere, Dawn Breaking and Bristol Missile were slowly away. At one stage Loose Chippings went 12 lengths clear and he was stretching the field. Three furlongs out Bruyere made headway but Loose Chippings had been headed and Vixen Weakened. Classic Charm took the lead from Loose Chippings. At two furlongs out Carey Street was outpaced, others such as Showboating and Dawn Breaking were ridden along. Mr Strutter chased Classic Charm. One furlong out Classic Charm had gone well clear yet Bruyere, Mr Strutter and Showboating were chasing. Most of the other field weakened. In the final stages there was no catching Classic Charm. With not enough from Bruyere, Showboating and Carey Street to compete. First was Classic Charm by 7 lengths, second was Bruyere by 2 lengths, third was Carey Street by 3/4 length.

The sixth race had Kodiac Express withdrawn at the start because of poor behaviour. Show Palace led, Choosey chased and Gnaad didn't run straight but eventually chased. Requited was slowly into stride. This lead was taken by Requited over three furlongs out, this was not long lasting as the pace was picked up again by Show Palace with one furlong to go. Gnaad ran well and continued chasing. Choosey was never really involved dropping further back. Despite some wandering Show Palace won by 1/2 length to second Gnaad by 5 lengths, third Requited by 3 1/2 lengths.

Good luck to all the smaller trainers going for glory at Glorious Goodwood! Especially Declan Carroll who came so close with the same horse last year.