News Bulletin ...
It was with great sadness that Robert and Sally Alner announced their retirement from training with effect from 31st August 2010. Chasing Gold was formed in 2006 in association with Robert and Sally, and indeed we run in Robert's colours. We have enjoyed great success with them over the past few years, with many winners and lots of excitement. They have always made us feel very welcome at Locketts Farm, and we wish them every happiness in their retirement.
We therefore have had to find alternative trainers for Present M'Lord, Douryna and Mibleu. Present M'Lord joined Nick Williams in June 2010 so that he can settle in to his new surroundings before serious work starts in August. Mibleu and Douryna are both going to Colin Tizzard together with our new horse, Jumps Road, during August 2010.
Club Horses ... Entries
Mibleu will be entered to run at Newton Abbot on 10th August
Club Horses ... Results! (in date order, most recent first)
Mibleu ran at Worcester on Tuesday 27th July, finishing 5th. Unfortunately the ground was against him, it was classed as "good" but was softer and the jockey, Keiran Burke, said it raced as "dead" ground. During the race Mibleu slipped approaching a couple of fences which knocked his confidence, and he made a howler at the water jump and nearly lost his jockey. He tried his best and made his normal surge through the field but was not able to reach the leader.
Mibleu ran a great race at Stratford on Sunday 11th July in The Stratford Summer Cup (Class 2), one of the big races of the summer, ridden by Keiran Burke. It was a big ask against quality horses over a longer trip but he jumped really well and two from home we thought he might win. He stayed on well and took 2nd place, beaten 6 lengths. We are delighted with his performance.
Mibleu ran a good race at Uttoxeter on Sunday 27th June, just four days after his win at Worcester. He carried a 7 lb penalty for the win and put up a good performance, taking up the lead two from home, but the extra weight found him out and he managed a creditable 4th. He jumped perfectly throughout on a very hot day with temperatures topping 28oC.
4th WIN OF THE SEASON - Mibleu also ran at Worcester on Wednesday 23rd June, ridden by Keiran Burke. Mibleu was held up at the back of the field for the first half of the race, but with six fences to go Keiran could hold him no longer and he surged into third place before taking the lead 3 out and after jumping the final fence Keiran repeatedly looked back to see if any of the opposition were in sight! He finished the race 0.2 seconds slower than last year when we broke the track record. It was a superb performance from horse, jockey and trainer.
3rd WIN OF THE SEASON - Baily Storm ran at Worcester on Wednesday 23rd June, ridden by Daryl Jacob, in a very competitive 2 mile 7 furlong Novice Chase. Daryl kept him tucked in third but took up the lead two from home and stayed on well to win by 14 lengths. Another fantastic performance.
2nd WIN OF THE SEASON - Baily Storm ran at Hexham on Saturday 5th June, ridden by Daryl Jacob, in a 5 horse Novice Chase over 2 miles 4½ furlongs. He jumped well and kept up with the leader but the pace was slow which did not suit him. He took up the lead but idled in front, giving a chance to the horse in second. It was a close finish, but he battled it out and just did enough to take first.
Mibleu ran disappointingly at Newton Abbot on Thursday 3rd June. He looked a picture in the paddock beforehand and won the best turned out prize, and during the race was apparently going very well, held up as usual, and made significant progress on the second circuit. He was jumping well and moved into third place looking like the winner, but all of a sudden the petrol ran out. Keiran Burke, the jockey, could give no explanation but between the ditch and the water in the back straight he went out like a light and struggled to jump the penultimate fence so Keiran pulled him up to look after him. The Alner’s were also surprised because they thought the horse was nicely primed. He ate up last night, but not this morning so maybe something is wrong. He will be blood tested and we will let the back man look at him and check him out.
Viking Gold made her hurdling debut at Newton Abbot on Monday 17th May, ridden by Daryl Jacob. Daryl managed to get her into the race but as she jumped a hurdle on the second circuit she was knocked from left and right and obviously didn't enjoy the experience as she folded soon afterwards. She finished the race tailed off, but Daryl was not wholly displeased with her and believes she will be better suited to chasing next season.
1st WIN OF THE SEASON - Baily Storm, ridden for the first time by Daryl Jacob, won a 2 mile Novice Chase at Stratford on Sunday 16th May. This was his first time in a chase and he ran a fantastic race. There were only three runners, but he was up against tough opposition from Mumbles Pier and Classic Swain, ridden by AP McCoy. Mumbles Pier fell two out, badly hampering Baily Storm, and leaving Classic Swain with a four length lead, but at the last fence our boy had made up the ground and they were in the air together. Baily Storm was ridden out to win by a head. This was a tremendous achievement and terrifically exciting to watch.
Mibleu ran an excellent race at Worcester on Sunday 9th May, ridden by Keiran Burke and finishing 2nd at 25-1. This was his first run for 226 days and we certainly expected he would need the run, but he ran better than expected and managed to hold on to 2nd place.
Viking Gold ran a disappointing race in a Bumper at Towcester on Monday 26th April, ridden by Dean Coleman and finishing 6th but not settling throughout the race. We plan to run her in a hurdle race to see if the obstacles help her concentration.
Turnworth ran an excellent race at Southwell, ridden by Daryl Jacob, finishing 2nd and beaten just one length. Horse and jockey did extremely well to stay in the race after horses fell directly in front of them at two consecutive fences, but that probably cost them the race as they badly hampered him. We were delighted with his run - he jumped well throughout - and we are sure he will soon be winning races for us.
Present M'Lord ran in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday 17th April, ridden by Kieran Burke and it was an exciting day out for club members that made the trip. There were 30 runners at the start, but only seven finished and sadly our boy was pulled up on the final circuit. He did not get a good start which did not help, but jumped well throughout, and managed to dodge between the fallers but was never able to catch up. He came home safely but will be roughed off now as there are no more marathon trips this season. He has had an excellent season, winning the Devon Marathon in December and finishing 2nd in the Devon National in March, so we are delighted with his performance overall.
Douryna also ran on Easter Monday, 5th April, in a 2 mile 5 furlong hurdle race at Plumpton, ridden by Rob Walford. Unfortunately the heavy ground that she would have preferred had dried out considerably to good, good to soft in places, but she ran well and finished 3rd, just missing out on 2nd place. We feel she will really come into her own when she goes chasing.
Viking Gold made her racecourse debut at Fakenham on Easter Monday, 5th April 2010, where she ran in a Mares NH Flat race over 2 miles ridden by Tom Scudamore. She behaved herself impeccably before the race, staying calm and generally behaved like a pro. The ground was good, which she handled well, but the track is very tight and possibly didn't suit her. She finished about 8th but we were not too disappointed as she seemed to enjoy herself and will come on well for the run. Also, she is not bred for this distance but will be better suited by 2½ to 3 miles. We hope to see her back soon in a hurdle race.