Holiday
It was lovely to have two weeks off and enjoy some of the weather but that’s plenty long enough and I’m ready to get back to the day job now. I’ve kept busy with the horses at home and a bit of riding out but there’s no substitute for race riding and I look to have a few good chances at Perth.
Perth Saturday
And The New is the first ride of the day for me in the handicap chase (2.35pm). He ran well the last day when he stepped up in trip and in truth it probably wasn’t ideal that I made the running. He jumped so quick over the first couple that we ended up passing the others and going on. He paid for that at the end of the race though. There’s a couple of confirmed front runners in this so we’ll be able to drop in and hopefully give it a better showing. Laura [Morgan] always seems to have her horses in good form and I’m hopeful of the rides I have for her tomorrow.
Finisk River goes in the 2m4f handicap hurdle (3.05pm) and is Donald [McCain]’s only runner on the card. He won at Bangor the last day and obviously has the ability. In his early career he was just getting beat in handicaps off a much higher mark so coming down in the ratings and being Donald’s only runner could be an indication of a strong run.
Friary Rock had his first run over fences the last day and was a good winner at this track. He steps up to three miles for this handicap chase (3.40pm) and he really wasn’t stopping the last day, so you’d like to think he’ll handle the step up and goes with every chance.
Socialist Agenda in the two-mile hurdle (4.15pm) isn’t a horse I know a lot about as I’ve never ridden him. But he’s won a couple of bumpers and beat me in the County Hurdle trial at Musselburgh back in February when I was on Fiveandtwenty. He clearly has plenty of ability and it’s his first run since the Scottish Champion Hurdle so hopefully he’ll run a big race.
I’ve ridden Lake Shore Drive twice before, finishing second the first day then winning the last day. He goes in the three-mile hurdle (4.50pm) and I think he was value for more than the winning margin suggests at Perth the last day. I think he’ll be one of my better rides tomorrow.
I was really impressed with Illusion Of Time the last day when winning under a penalty. He has another penalty to concede in this bumper (5.25pm) but I couldn’t actually pull him up after the line the last day which is a really good sign. I know the trainer holds him in high regard. Reopposing is the fourth from that last race who was five lengths behind, but I think he’s smart enough to overcome the extra weight, even though it is difficult to win these bumpers under a penalty. I think Laura [Morgan] may have found a good opportunity here.
