Plumpton was abandoned as the course was waterlogged. At Ayr, two fair performances to mention. Firstly, Serious Challenge won the novice hurdle after making the long trip up from Fergal O’Brien’s base near Cheltenham. Johnny Burke did the steering and won by nine lengths from the big odds-on favourite from Ireland Bowensonfire. Blofeld on debut, won the concluding bumper for Rebecca Menzies ridden by William Maggs and looks above average to the Major. The Monday evening fayre at Wolverhampton saw Ian Williams train two winners, namely Marinakis and Maharajas Express
On Tuesday morning Constitution Hill had a racecourse gallop at Kempton and judging from press coverage afterwards things went well, and connections are delighted. Leicester had an all-chase card and the last two races were hunter chases. Both were won impressively, the first by Pyleigh Court ridden by Ella Herbison. The second by Benny’s King ridden by Heidi Palin. Wolverhampton was the evening meeting again and David Loughnane trained the first two winners on the card.
Wednesday saw the Godolphin owned Opera Ballo make it two from two in the Conditions race over a mile at Kempton under William Buick. The Charlie Appleby trained colt is quoted generally at 8/1 for the 2000 Guineas in May. The Major will not be rushing to avail himself of that. After 10mm of rain overnight Wincanton was abandoned while the other two jumps’ cards at Wetherby and Bangor went ahead with nothing much to report.
Thursday saw the introduction of a Kingman colt trained by William Haggas up at Newcastle. Regalian took the novice stakes by over three lengths under Tom Marquand but ran green in the closing stages. He will progress for sure. At Chelmsford six favourites won from seven races and Billy Loughnane rode two of them. Taunton saw Harry Kimber ride a double while Richard Patrick did the same at Ludlow.
Friday, we received two pieces of nice news. Jack Kennedy has stated he will be back and fir to ride at the Cheltenham Festival. Also, the Festival opener will this year be called the “Michael O’Sullivan” Supreme Novice Hurdle. On the track Philip Hobbs, Johnston White and Michael Nolan teamed up for a double at Newbury. Wonderful Eagle and Kikijo both handled the soft ground to win well. Kosac D’oudairies was a very good winner of the bumper at Ffos Las for Jamie Snowdon and Gavin Sheehan. At Lingfield the All-Weather Championship Trials Day offered good competitive racing. The Trial Sprint was won well by the Jack Channon trained Ferrous ridden by Tom Marquand.
Saturday and lots to report on and mention. First off out in Dubai at Meydan Charlie Appleby and William Buick had four winners at Emirates Super Saturday meeting. Kelso staged its showcase meeting of the season with great prize money and competitive fields. Grey Dawning for the Skelton’s took the Listed Premier Chase from Iroko in what was a match according to the betting. The Grade 2 Premier Novice Hurdle went to the Lucinda Russell trained Jet To Vegas owned by Jimmy Fyfe who has pumped plenty of money into the game over the years. Ridden by Derek Fox this looks like a nice type to the Major. In the feature Morebattle Hurdle Cracking Rhapsody followed up last years success carrying thirteen pounds more for trainer Ewan Whillans and jockey Craig Nicol. A lovely Scottish success story for the locals. Also, worth a line or two here was the introduction of a juvenile hurdler from the Harry Derham yard called Filibustering. He was very impressive under Paul O’Brien and won by eleven lengths although I am not sure about the strength of the opposition.
At Doncaster the Listed Mares Hurdle over three miles went to Irish raider World
Fortunes trained by Liam Kenny and ridden by Brian Hughes. Newbury saw one of the most remarkable races I have witnessed. The Greatwood Gold Cup was won by the Olly Murphy trained Booster Bob. Over this two-and-a-half-mile trip the winner could not keep up early and was tailed off at least twenty lengths adrift. Under Sean Bowen he came home strong up the straight to win going away. You have to watch it to believe it! Sam Brown won the veteran’s handicap chase after some recent good efforts for Anthony Honeyball. Tom George has had a quiet time of things lately, but he has a really good prospect in the form of Heron In The Park, who took the bumper easily.
The Grade 3 Flying Bolt Novices Chase at Navan was won comfortably by Champ Kiely, for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. The Grade 2 Webster Cup Chase threw up a huge shock when 50/1 chance Senecia stayed on bravely to see off El Fabiolo.
At Huntingdon on Sunday juvenile hurdler Aviemore followed up his win at Warwick in impressive style by twenty lengths for Harry Derham, Paul O’Brien and owners Highclere Thoroughbreds. In the finale we saw an equally impressive display from Mydaddypaddy, who took the bumper readily. The Dan Skelton trained gelding had eleven lengths to spare at the line under brother Harry Skelton.
Doncaster six race card was mediocre fayre but worth a mention was the bumper winner here too. At The Oche, making his debut, showed lots of resolve to win by ¾ of a length. This Nigel Twiston-Davies inmate was well back at double figures and returned 13/2 under James Turner.
Over at Leopardstown Thedevilscoachman earned a deserved success under Mark Walsh for trainer Noel Meade. Finally, the Dublin National was won by Brandt for trainer Cian Collins and jockey Tiernan Power Roach. Many congratulations!