News Bulletin ...
Robert Alner has been at home now since April 2009 and is adapting well to his new routine. He is able to get about in the yard and schooling areas in his wheelchair and also has a specially adapted car in which he can sit alongside the driver so he can get out to watch the horses working on the gallops, so he is an active presence once again. He has a team of carers looking after him and it really is "business as normal".
Club Horses ... Entries
Douryna will run in a Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton on Thursday 11th March.
Club Horses ... Results!
Our First WINNER this season ...
Mibleu ran at Newton Abbot on Thursday 4th June - ridden by Kieran Burke - and won at 8-1 on firm ground and the race time was 3m 54.40s (fast by 0.60s). Mibleu was prominent throughout, always going nicely, and pulled out more than enough when required to claim victory. Everything was right for him here, he jumped superbly and Keiran gave him an excellent ride.
Our Second WINNER this season ...
Mibleu ran at Worcester on Wednesday 24th June - ridden once again by Kieran Burke - and won at 7-1. It was just the eight runners but this had a very open look to it, the pace was strong and the form should stand up. Mibleu was getting weight from all of his rivals and he followed up his Newton Abbot win in the manner of a horse who has got his act together, taking up the running going well and finding plenty when the runner-up came at him on the run-in. He could turn out under a penalty at Uttoxeter on Sunday and will be hard to stop in this mood. His trainers have a fine record with their handicap chasers at Worcester (80%).
Our Third WINNER this season ...
Baily Storm ran at Stratford on Tuesday 22nd September, ridden by Richard Johnson, and won by an impressive 7 lengths beating the favourite, a very promising mare who had made the trip over from Galway. This was his first run for Chasing Gold and for Tim Vaughan who only purchased him for us at the beginning of August, but Tim has managed to work his magic and Baily Storm performed brilliantly. It was a very exciting race and we are delighted with him.
Our Fourth WINNER this season ...
Baily Storm won at Fakenham on Friday 23rd October, ridden by Richard Johnson, winning by 5 lengths, SP 8-15 Fav. Baily Storm is a staying hurdler and will therefore now be stepped up in trip.
Our Fifth WINNER this season ...
Present M'Lord won at Exeter on Friday 4th December 2009, ridden by Daryl Jacob in the Devon Marathon over 4 miles in heavy ground and dense fog. Of the 11 runners only six finished in what turned out to be a real test of stamina. Daryl kept Present M'Lord handy throughout and with a circuit to go passed the stands in fifth, only to re-emerge from the fog a circuit later at the last fence a couple of lengths in front, and managed to maintain his lead to win by ¾ of a length.
Recent Results for the Club
Mibleu had a disappointing race at Worcester on Friday 25th September. It was a very competitive race but if he hadn't tried to take the fourth last fence by its roots he would have gone quite close. Keiran Burke had held him up at the back of the field and he was gaining ground down the back straight jumping well until he made the mistake which knocked the stuffing out of him. The ground was not as fast as we had expected, they had obviously watered and in places it was quite soft. However, he ate up on Friday night and has come out of the race well and we will look for another opportunity soon.
Baily Storm gave a disappointing performance at Plumpton on Monday 19th October when he finished 2nd at 1-4 favourite in a 5 runner race. The problem, as is often the case in races where there are few runners, was that none of the others wanted to make the pace so our jockey was forced to do so and Baily Storm did not like being in front. He is an out and out stayer and the plan was to go off quickly in front and blunt the speed and fitness of the others making it a test of stamina. Unfortunately the plan did not work out and Baily Storm was headed 2 out. Tim Vaughan is looking for another Novice Hurdle race for him to run in about 2 weeks time.
Present M'Lord ran well at Exeter on Tuesday 3rd November, finishing 3rd and beaten only 1½ lengths, ridden by Daryl Jacob. He jumped well but made a slight error at the third last which may have cost him the race. However, he came out of the race well and we look forward to his next race.
Briery Star ran in a 2 mile 110 yard handicap chase, at Hexham on Friday 6th November, finishing 5th. She looked a picture, ran a decent race and jumped very well making only one mistake and was only beaten 6½ lengths staying on. The Racing Post commented: "Briery Star travelled nicely throughout the race and jumped well on this chasing bow. She should come on a deal for the run". The locals at Hexham obviously liked her a lot and backed her down to 5-1 fav. She has come out of the race well, eaten up and is bucking and squealing and Tim Walford will look for another race soon and will probably step her up to 2½ miles.
Douryna ran in a Mares Novices Hurdle at Exeter on Tuesday 10th November ridden by Daryl Jacob. She ran a good race and Daryl was delighted with her, and thought her the winner turning into the home straight but she failed to quicken with the pace and finished 6th of 11. Nevertheless this was an encouraging run being her first over hurdles and she will come on for it.
Turnworth ran in a Beginners Chase at Exeter on Tuesday 10th November ridden by Daryl Jacob. This was his first run under rules in a hotly contested race and he finished 8th of 11 but travelled and jumped well throughout.
Baily Storm ran in the Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Sunday 15th November ridden by Dean Coleman. We were concerned that the ground was too soft for him but he ran well and kept up with the pace but as the jockey pushed him on 2 out he fell. He is fine after his race but will now have a few weeks rest as he has had a long racing campaign (since March 2009). He hope to see him back early January 2010.
Briery Star ran a disappointing race at Carlisle on Sunday 29th November finishing 8th of 12 in a 2 mile 4 furlong Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle. The going was heavy and it was obvious that she hated the conditions. She is better off running in chases and Tim Walford is looking for a suitable race.
Present M'Lord ran a disappointing race at Lingfield Park on 25th January, finishing 5th of 10 in a 3 mile Handicap Chase. We know his preferred distance is 4 miles but felt that the heavy ground would play its part. He jumped well throughout but had far too much ground to make up at the finish and although finishing better than anything else, could not get to the leaders.
Douryna ran a promising race at Wincanton on Thursday 4th February, finishing 4th and staying on well. She jumped well throughout and jockey and trainer were very pleased with her performance.
Briery Star ran a disastrous race on Wednesday 17th February at Leicester having to be pulled up after the first circuit. Tim Walford was as disappointed as we all were and was at a loss to explain the run. The horse had worked really well at home both on the gallops and in her schooling over fences. The day after the race Tim was able to tell me that the horse had bled from the nose during the night which explains her inability to race at Leicester. We have therefore decided to return the horse to the breeder that owns her and we will look for a replacement. It is disappointing that she failed to make the grade, but that's racing.
Turnworth continued his education at Taunton on Tuesday 23rd February on unsuitable ground, jumping well throughout, finishing 3rd of 4. He will run again soon.
Douryna jumped well throughout finishing 5th of 14 and she will now be able to run in handicaps.
Turnworth ran at Leicester on 2nd March, finishing 4th of five in a Beginners Chase. The ground was heavy, which he hated, but he jumped well and we were pleased with his performance.
Present M'Lord, back at Exeter, his favourite track, ran a superb race jumping well throughout only to be beaten once again by Teeming Rain in the Devon National on Tuesday 9th March. He is the members' favourite horse who always puts in an outstanding display and rarely finishes out of the prize money. He is a credit to his trainer.