StableTalk: “We never had any intention of running at the Festival because we always wanted to come here.”
My horses have run well this week but it was great to cap off the Festival with a winner today as Superb Story ran terrifically well to take the County Hurdle. We were thrilled with his performance and it nice to finally have a winner at this meeting.
Saturday
In the opening race at Kempton I run a horse called Fouburg, who finished second to Who Dares Wins on his debut at Ludlow. He didn’t run so well last time at Doncaster, but it was a funny race. Our horse was too keen. I’ve done lots with him since. He jumps well. It’s quite a strong novices’ hurdle but I needed to get him out sooner rather than later to give him some practice. It looks like quite a few of these are going to have the edge on ratings but he’ll be a nice horse in the long term.
Notnowsam runs in the novice chase on his return to action. He’s been off all winter because of the bad ground. It’s quite a competitive little handicap, but he has been in good form. I don’t see the track being a problem, it’s just whether the handicapper has got hold of him or not. He’s very consistent and, after a little break, he should be competitive.
I declared three for the Silver Plate, but only Abricot De L’Oasis got in. This is probably his perfect chance on decent ground, which is what he wants. You have to remember there are a few in here who had every intention of being competitive at Cheltenham, but did not get into their race. We never had any intention of running at the Festival because we always wanted to come here. We’re the last one in which is some sort of miracle, so he will take his chance. He didn’t stay the trip last time.
I’m looking forward to running Pumped Up Kicks on Good ground. She hates bad ground and I made a couple of errors running her on it when I shouldn’t have in the autumn. She is well at home, she’s got the Good ground and the track is not going to be a problem. I think she has got a good chance.
Sunday
Tommy Rapper runs in the National Hunt flat race at Ffos Las. We quite like him. He finished second on his debut. He’s been working well enough to suggest he’ll run well. I think he is going to be very competitive.
Dan
Fancy any of Dan’s horses to land the spoils this weekend? Then head to Coral and back his runners with us!
