Ocean Applause -  11th December 2014

Kempton Park             Daily Sven-to-1 specials at Betvictor handicap
1m             8 runners
Jockey: Danny Brock               Trainer: J.Ryan
Weight   8-7

Ocean applause s the most prolific of my current crop of flat horses, he ran 3 times in a week earlier this year. This was his first run since the end of October and I was stunned to get him as a rank outsider at 66/1. He came out of the stalls towards the back of the field and always seemed to be struggling to keep up with the pace. But he got a run as they swung into the straight with 3 furlongs to go and showed a good turn of pace. He was never going to catch the leader but 1/2 a furlong from home, I thought he was going to snatch a place. But 2 flying finishers on the outside just pipped him and he came in a creditable 5th.

Last Supper - 6th December 2014

Aintree         Betfred 'Fun & Friendly' Novices' Hurdle
2M 1F         7 runners
Jockey:  Joe Colliver        Trainer:  J.Bethell
Weight:  10-11

One of my novice hurdlers who when I first viewed her, won at an extraordinary 80/1. Her last run was respectable and indeed, so was this. She was quite simply out-paced here in a race won by a very good-looking filly. They went off at a fast clip from the tape, favourite Ballybolley led throughout and from the start, broke clear with a couple of horses a few lengths back. There was then another few lengths back to Last Supper. Every time she got close to the second and third horse, they seemed to pull away again. She ended up in 4th, about 10 lengths back, but kept going throughout and didn't disgrace herself.

Jewellery - 2nd December 2014

Southwell       32Red Handicap Chase
2M 4F     7 runners
Jockey:  Denis O'Regan      Trainer: V.Dartnall
Weight:  11-7

Once again Jewellery led from the start although this is the first time I've seen her run without Paul John onboard. Again, she jumped well and set a reaonable pace. When the pace was quickened with half a mile to go, she just didn't have the change of pace required. She ran on gamely enough but was never in the final shake up and ended up in 4th place.

Rude and crude - 1st December 2014

Plumpton          Plumptonracecourse.co.uk Intermediate Open NH flat race
2M 2F         8 runners
Jockey:    Charlie Deutsch       Trainer:  Mrs L Hill
Weight:  11-9

2 weeks after seeing this horse live, he ran in another bumper on the same course. Carrying a penalty of 7lb higher than all the other horses, he once again had an odds on favourite to contend with. I seem to pick horses that lead from the front and as he did 2 weeks ago, Rude and Crude set the pace. A fairly steady pace, he significantly picked up the pace half a mile from home.  The favourite was left in his wake and although a few tried to go with him, it was only 'Tambura' that kept up. Rude and Crude get his gallop up the whole trip and was eventually beaten by just over a length into second place. Another brave front running performance, maybe the weight did in for him, I look forward to seeing his next move.

Midnight Appeal - 29th November 2014

Newbury    Bet365.com Handicap Chase (For the Fulke Walwyn Trophy)
2M 6F         12 runners
Jockey: Tom Bellamy            Trainer:  Alan King
Weight:  11-11

For the last couple of weeks I've been trying to find an experienced chaser to follow. After several failed auditions, I've settled on this Bay gelding. I watched it run at Haydock last weekend where he came 3rd and decided to make my decision after this run. He was in touch with the leaders all the way round running just off the pace. Got himself into a lovely position with 1/2 a mile to go and although 'Phone Home' was getting away from them, he was in a great position to challenge for the places. He didn't find the extra gear required and came 4th after being passed by 'Baby shine' and 'Bertie Boru' who finished like an express train to get the win. Looks an interesting horse to follow but having set off at 7/1 here, couldn't quite make the frame.

Maybe Plenty - 19th November 2014

Warwick      racinguk.com Mares' Novices' hurdle
2m 5f        7 runners
Jockey: G.Sheehan          Trainer: Giles Smyly
Weight 10-12

I watched this mare a few weeks ago with a view to her possibly joining my stable as I was after another novice hurdler. She ran well and came 3rd at a whopping 66/1.  So this is the first time I've backed her and just my luck, she went off at a surprisingly low 2/1 Fav.
This turned out to be a stress free run. She jumped into the lead at the tape and was never headed. A steady pace at the start, jockey Gavin Sheehan noticeably upped the temp with a circuit to go. With 3/4 of a mile to go, horses started dropping off the pace and she was left with only 'Triumph Davis' and 'Mistress Mole' for company. They dropped one by one as Maybe Plenty was swifter through the air and away from the landing. She did clout the last but barely broke stride and ended up winning by a very comfortable 12 lengths.
I look forward to seeing where she goes next.

Jewellery - 18th November 2014

Fakenham       At the races mares handicap chase
3m 110 yards      4 runners
Jockey: Paul John       Trainer: Victor Dartnall
Weight: 12-3

I look at Jewellery as my stable leader. This is about the 6th time I've seen her run and she never gives you a poor performance. Quite a small horse but she jumps for fun, jumps dead straight at every fence and rarely seems to make a mistake.
She had been severely knocked up in the weights following a couple of wins on the bounce and was top weight here. Conditional jockey Paul John, who rides her beautifully was claiming 7 lbs.
Jewellery is a front runner and went bowling off from the start here. She led by about a dozen lengths at one point which is not unusual. She's a game filly and doesn't wilt when challenged by other horses. However, the faourite 'Southway star' was too good for her on this occasion. She took the lead about half a mile out and Jewellery was unable to quicken. In the end she was beaten by about 15 lengths and by a good horse but kept her form to come a creditable second.

Rude and crude - 17th November 2014

Plumpton -  SW catering standard open NH flat race
2M 2F - 6 runners
Jockey: D.Bass     Trainer: Mrs L Hill

Going: Heavy

I was lucky enough to visit Plumpton yesterday and was on the look out for a new horse to add to my stable. I didn't have a horse in the 'bumper' category and chose this one as it allegedly went on heavy ground. To be honest, heavy wasn't the word. I walked across the track between races and you literally sank in the mud. It was hard going and the majority of the horses were almost at a standstill when they finished.
Rude and crude was up against the odds on favourite 'Sadler's gold'.
Rude and crude made the running from the start and set a healthy if unspectacular gallop. Slowly, horses dropped off the pace and it became apparent half a mile from the end that the odd's on favourite just wasn't going on the ground. Robert's star put up a challenge but Rude and crude kept going gamely on the ground to win by 7 lengths.
Will be an interesting addition to my stable.