Jump Jockeys Nunthorpe
My own take from the race is that we went too quick. My lad was a frontrunner and Scu’s [Tom Scudamore] horse was a frontrunner as well, and we were a length clear of the other side for the first half of the race but we were just picked off.
York was really good to us on the day. They provided us all with a private box and lunch which a few of us brought our families along for, so it was a great day out if nothing else and as jockeys we rarely get to enjoy a day at the races.
Galway
Many moons ago I was lucky enough to ride a winner at the Galway Festival as a ten-pound claimer, but the less said about how long ago that was the better. In the two big races at Galway this week it usually pays to follow Willie Mullins as he seems to target those.
It’s a very unique track at Galway and they put on some big prizes which attracts the fields and the good horses, so good luck to them.
Goodwood
It’s obviously the Goodwood festival this week too and I’ve mentioned before in my blog how I love to watch high-class Flat racing, so I’ll definitely be watching where I can. There are some really top-draw races throughout the week and I’m looking forward to seeing Baaeed in the Sussex Stakes, although it’s a shame Coroebus was ruled out earlier in the week.
Order Of Australia is a very good horse though who could serve it up to Baaeed, but I do think he has a touch of the Frankel class about him. He’s a talented lad and it doesn’t look like he has many flaws.
Perth
A lot has been made about the field sizes at Perth this week, but I’m not sure what people expect if there’s not the horses there to run. I don’t know what the reason is in truth, it’s a tricky one.
Some courses just do better than others and I’m a big fan of Perth as a track, so I don’t know what’s going on with it, too much summer racing perhaps?
Perth, Wednesday
I’m picking up a few rides at Perth from Adam Wedge who’s currently injured, and on Wednesday the first of those is First Angel in the 2m handicap chase (1.35pm).
He was third at Southwell just a couple of weeks ago over two and a half miles and looked dangerous turning in so he might be dropping back to two miles because he didn’t see it out. I’ve ridden a few of these in the race and I wouldn’t swap any for him to be honest.
Lake Shore Drive goes in the 3m handicap hurdle (2.10pm) and was second at Sedgefield in a falsely run race a couple of starts back. The last day I actually got up and beat him on a filly called Present Storm. He’s been knocking on the door and been running well so I’d hope he has a chance.
In the 2m4f handicap chase (2.45pm) I ride And The New. He’s run well on his two starts over fences so far and wasn’t beaten overly far the last day, and he shapes like two and a half miles suits him well. Gordon Elliott’s in the race [Everybreathyoutake] is favourite because, well it’s Gordon Elliott. The form of their horse doesn’t look any stronger than our form though, so I’d be quite hopeful we can have a good day.
Seemingly So is my mount in the 3m handicap chase (3.55pm) and he won at Market Rasen over 2m5f a few runs ago before falling at Perth the next day.
His last run was a hurdle race where they didn’t jump any obstacles and I always feel when these jump races are run like Flat races they do end up in funny results, so I’d scratch that. I would say I’m more hopeful than confident with this lad.
Illusion Of Time is my last ride of the day in the 2m bumper (4.30pm). He’s a really well-bred horse by Sea The Stars and was picked up quite cheaply in the sales by Laura Morgan. She gave him a bit of time and he looked a nice horse when he ran and won at Stratford.
He has to concede the penalty for that win which is always tough for a young horse in bumpers, but he’d have learned plenty for the experience. I know Laura likes this horse, and she certainly knows the time of day, so here’s hoping.
