It’s been a very busy past couple of weeks. I’ve hit 60 winners over a month quicker than I did last year and things are going really well.
Donald’s [McCain] horses are running great, and he’s got such a strong yard this year. It’s a very exciting position to be in, and I wouldn’t swap it for anything else.
Presentandcounting won as well as he should have done as a 1/50 favourite in the week. He’s come out of the race well and will hopefully stay on track to run in the novice hurdle final at Worcester on 23rd of September – that’s always been the plan.
Cartmel – Saturday
Thankfully, the rain has come too! The racecourses, trainers, farmers and everybody else needed some rain. Hopefully we get a bit more as we head through September, so we see some nice, safe jumping ground up and down the country.
I kick off Saturday at Cartmel with Rich Dream in the Maiden Hurdle (2:50), and he looks like one of my best chances on the card.
He’s rated 75 on the Flat and he’s been schooling well over hurdles. He seems to have been enjoying his jumping at home and should go well, albeit he’s up against some slightly more experienced rivals.
I’ve then got Bon Retour in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (3:25). She seemed to have lost her form and I haven’t ridden her for a little while, so I’m not sure what to expect. Fingers crossed she can bounce back.
Captain Ivan is up against some higher-rated horses in the Peter Beaumont Memorial EBF Novices’ Chase (4:00), but he’s a sound jumper for a novice and should go well.
He unseated Adam Wedge two starts back, but I think that was more of a case of spooking at something and just jinking on landing, rather than the way he jumps, so I’m hopeful of a good round. Laura’s [Morgan] horses are in good form too which is a positive.
I’m back on Raecius Felix in the Molson Coors Handicap Chase (4:34) having not ridden him in his last starts. He was second over course and distance last time out and you’d have to think he’s got a good each-way chance.
Seemingly So (5:05) would be one of my strongest chances on the day.
I was second on her the last day at Perth and, as mentioned, Laura’s horses are in good old shape. Any improvement on that run and we’ll hopefully be right in the thick of it.
I round out the day with Kerosine Light in the Cartmel Cup Handicap Hurdle (5:40).
In fairness to him, he’s a winner of three races this year but was disqualified the last day round Cartmel due to interference.
The drop back in trip shouldn’t be an issue at all, and I actually think he could be a bit better at this shorter distance.
Finally, I’d like to congratulate Mark Johnston on hitting 5,000 winners. It’s a phenomenal amount of winners – certainly I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get to that number – and you just have to admire that kind of success.
