In the circumstances, I’m not surprised to see Davy Russell coming back to ride.
He’s a big part of the Cullentra team, and his decision would have been made a lot easier by the fact he’s only been retired for a few weeks. Hopefully he hasn’t put on too much weight!
It was good to get Since Day One’s head back in front last weekend. I felt he should have won the time before, and it was just his lack of concentration that cost him that day. We seem to have rectified that with the addition of cheekpieces, and though we were getting weight from the other two it was still a good performance. The second and the third are decent horses.
It didn’t look likely on Clear White Light at Doncaster on Tuesday, but it’s a long run-in there, a good furlong and a half from back of the last, so you never give up, and he stuck to it and stayed on best.
Wetherby
Five nice rides, kicking off with Ballybeg Boss (12:12pm). We like this guy, and he ran well to finish second in what looked like a hot bumper at Hereford last time. Wetherby should be more to his liking, so we’re pretty hopeful about his chances, but there are a good few horses in there with nice profiles and potential too.
Richmond Lake (1:22pm) jumped so badly left the last day, giving up ground all the way, so it’s good to get him back on a left-handed track. He’s out of novice company now which makes it a bit tougher, but hopefully he can put in a better performance.
I don’t know a huge amount about East Street (3:07pm). From what I’ve seen, he jumps and stays well, so fingers crossed.
Inkwell (3:42pm) makes her racecourse debut and has been pleasing us at home. She’s a nice filly that’s done everything Donald’s [McCain] asked her so far. We don’t know too much about the opposition, but she’s big and strong so I hope she can transfer her homework to the track.
Kelso
I never thought Barnabas Collins (1:00pm) would be starting life off in handicaps off a mark of 98. We’ve always liked him, but he hasn’t shown it on the track yet. He still looks pretty fairly handicapped on some of his bumper form and should go well if he puts his right foot forward.
I ride Thatsy (1:30pm) for Lizzie Quinlan, Sean’s wife. We’ve been friends for a long time and it’s always nice to ride for the yard. He looks well-handicapped on the best of his form, when previously based in Gordon Elliott’s, but this is his first run for nearly a year, so whatever he does he’ll improve on.
Galunggung (2:00pm) had a little issue and has had some time off but has been working nicely at home and is fit and ready to go now. He’s a nice horse and I think both track and trip will suit.
Beat Box (2:30pm) is up in class but is getting plenty of weight from his rivals as a result. He goes well in soft ground and arrives here off the back of a good win last time out under conditional jockey, Ed Austin.
Bavington Bob (3:00pm) is back down in slightly calmer waters. His first run at Perth came on ground too quick, and the next day was a bit of a no-show, so I’m still hopeful he can get things going again this season. He began off a mark of 113 last season and is now up to 135, so it’s still not easy, but this looks a fair race for him.
