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Kinneston2024-12-19T10:51:46+00:00

Abandonments galore & five runners at Ayr tomorrow (we hope!)

Cold and gentle snow here this morning, not settling.  Tricky times weather wise and Musselburgh controversially abandoned after 5 inspections on Friday; it is subjective, the racecourse management thought it was raceable as did the trainers involved, others thought otherwise – the dissenters won, if it had been up to the management they would have raced.  The situation today wasn’t a lot better with Plumpton being called off at 10.30 having been called on at 8.30 and Chepstow abandoning after the second race.  I’m definitely in the “give the meeting every chance” camp but there does come a point; there needs to be a central fund ring-fenced to compensate owners, trainers and jockeys for expenses incurred and there also needs to be a robust and well financed replacement fixture scheme put in place.  Given the imbalance of the financial implications of late decisions the former should be funded by the racecourses, ideally on a mutual rather than specific basis. Replacement fixtures need to be funded centrally on the basis of the needs of the horses/trainers/owners rather than trying to find slots where bookmakers will pay for them.

On to Ayr tomorrow where, haha, there is a 7am inspection and if it passes the ground will be soft/heavy.  We have five declared runners starting with the enigmatic Boolamore Classic in the 1.00pm, he has plenty of ability but mentally is somewhat behind the curve.  Hopefully the penny will drop before long and he will emerge a very well handicapped horse, perhaps it will be tomorrow!  A first time visor may assist as may Bruce who takes the ride  – 9 run.

Boolamore Classic

Travail d’Orfevre runs in the 2.00pm, he seems in cracking form and his 3rd in the Borders National would give him a good chance, particularly of the ground is wet rather than holding – Bruce rides and 6 run.

Travail D’Orfevre

Ballyfort returns to hurdles in the 3.10pm after a rather wayward display over fences last time at Carlisle.  We’ve tweaked a few things with him since then and the hood & tongue tie go back on tomorrow, he looks well handicapped now based on his course and distance novice form and any sort of repeat of that would see him involved so long as the steering is working!  Bruce rides and 10 run.

Ballyfort

Finally we run two lovely youngsters in the bumper at 3.45, Eagles Cairn (Jamie Hamilton) and Lester Mail (Bruce).  Eagles Cairn has taken a while to come to hand and I’m still not really sure how fit he is, Lester Mail should be fit but having just turned 4yo I wonder if he will prove strong enough to cope with the testing conditions.  It is the first day away from home for both horses so hopefully they will learn a lot and be more street wise next time – 14 run.

Eagle’s Cairn

Lester Mail

January 5th, 2025|

Hombre wins at Ayr, on to Musselburgh tomorrow perhaps

Cold and frosty today, touch and go as to whether racing would be on at Ayr this afternoon but luckily it was and we had a good day with Hombre winning in fine style and Gaillimh A Stor just being beaten into second.

Hombre wins at Ayr

On to Musselburgh tomorrow which is subject to an 8am inspection, we will probably end up with two runners on ground that should be good to soft. Skiddaw runs in the 2:27, his course and distance form received a timely boost yesterday so we will be hoping he goes well with a change of tactics a possibility. 10 run and Bruce rides.

Skiddaw… In new colours tomorrow

Elvis Mail’s full brother makes his racecourse debut in the bumper at 3:27, he receives a handy weight allowance but hasn’t been away from home yet and tomorrow will be about education as much as anything. 8 run and Bruce rides.

Lester Mail

January 2nd, 2025|

A busy day at Ayr tomorrow with 8 runners

Dreadful weather at Musselburgh today with driving sleet making the conditions very testing. Platin Moon ran too free but will have learnt a lot, Anamanda didn’t get home over the three miles on softer ground and Ginger Mail ran well and was still playing a part when badly hampered by a faller at the last. 

On to Ayr tomorrow (if the meeting survives the frost) where we have 8 declared runners.

Scarlet Jet runs in the 12:10, the form of his Carlisle race has worked out well and he should progress again tomorrow. 14 run and Bruce rides.

Jirko runs in the 12:40, hopefully he can run another nice race but will be suited by further in time. 10 run and Bruce rides.

Hombre De Guerra runs in the 1:10, he made a lovely debut over fences at Carlisle last time out and a repeat of that could see him involved at the business end. 6 run and Sean rides

Beat The Retreat runs in the 1:40 over a course and distance that suits him well and he ran well last time out at Musselburgh, but this is a very busy race – 20 run and Dom rides.

Ozzy Cosmo runs in the 2:50, he made a satisfying debut over fences at Kelso and should be suited by the drop back in trip. 7 run and Bruce rides.

Wakool runs in the 3:25, he has lost his way somewhat but should love the trip, track and ground. He is gradually dropping down the handicap and we are giving him further assistance tomorrow by using Dom’s 10lb claim.

Theme Tune also runs in the 3:25, he has been off for a long time and tomorrow is really about finding out where we are with him. Bruce rides.

Gaillimh A Stor is our third runner in the 3:25 having been pulled out at Kelso at the last moment. He ran well last time out and ought to give a good account if he stays the extended trip – Danny rides.

January 1st, 2025|
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