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ANOTHER ODYSSEY
1st & 10th October
Another Odyssey had always been a horse that galloped far better than what he had shown on the track; so it wasn’t a total surprise to see him win 2 on the bounce. Becky Smith who is now two from two for us this year gave him a beautiful ride to get the roll stared. We were all in agreeance that he should be dropped out and be given a chance to gain confidence around Wolverhampton, a track which often suits horses being held up. He cantered round behind them and never looked like getting beaten, almost winning on the bridle.
It was only a few days later that Benoit took the reins and again dropped in, this time off a slowish pace; Another Odyssey slightly pulled for his head, showing his well being. The outcome was the same and he certainly looks a horse on the improve. We will bid for the hat trick before heading to the HIT sale, where I’d expect him to be in high demand from the jumps boys, amongst others. Congratulations to his Owners Emma Banks, Alan Cooper and Mike Lilley who have all been tremendous friends and supporters of the yard.
CARIAD
1st October
Cariad got back to winning ways under champion apprentice Benoit de la Sayette. She jumped and travelled smoothly, a little closer to the pace this time and never looked in any trouble when Benoit pushed the button turning for home. She picked up in the style of a filly who is well treated and I’ve no doubt she can pick up where she left off early next year. She heads off for a winter break where I’d expect her to mature physically and mentally. She’s a tall filly with plenty of scope and its possible she may get a little further next year. Congratulations to Ed Williams who has enjoyed a successful season on the track overall.
PRYDWEN
24th September
Prydwen enjoyed the ground at Haydock and got a confident ride from Sean Levey. He was dropped out and made up the ground smoothly to win comfortably by the time the line arrived. Prydwen had been particularly unlucky in his last two starts. At Lingfield, he was caught too far back and at Southwell he was blocked every which way up the home straight. He had no excuses at Haydock winning like a horse on the improve. He’s come out of the race well and will finish his season in the November Handicap.
GUMAIS
12th September
Gumais had been the eternal bridesmaid until he took up a positive position under Dan Muscutt at Kempton.He travelled supremely well and never looked like getting beaten as he quickened up the rail. He’s been runner up on multiple occasions and thoroughly deserved his win. He a very likeable horse with a good attitude and has been a very good servant to the yard this year. He too is a big scopey horse and will improve for a winter on his back. I’m unsure of where he will be next season however I’m looking forward to following progress. I was pleased to train a winner for Fawzi Nass, who has been a great supporter of the yard and is also my landlord.
CARIAD
3rd September
Cariad has always pleased me at home, but was a little on the weak side. She got herself educated over three runs and was given a short summer break to allow her to strengthen up. Heading to Wolverhampton, first time in a nursery; I was expecting a nice run from her but felt she might need a winter on her back to be competitive. That was certainly not the case. Dropped out by Stefano Cherchi off a strong pace Cariad moved through the race very easily. She picked up sharply inside the last furlong and a half and won going away. I’m very much looking forward to seeing where she ends up. I anticipate her having another couple of runs this season, before being put away for a Spring campaign. Congratulations to Ed Williams who has been patient, I’m very hopeful we can enjoy many more positive days on the track with her.
COCO JACK
31st August
Coco Jack registered his fourth win of the season. Quite an impressive record considering he’s a two year old. Showing his versatility dropping back to 6 furlongs with cut in the ground, he won in commanding fashion under Ben Curtis. It was an obvious to target considering his qualification and he duly picked up £10,000 in prize money. He really is a yard favourite, not only due to his antics on the track but also his character day to day here at Eve Lodge. It’s likely he could run at Chester in a valuable nursery, before ending up at York for the EBF final. We will then consider Dubai over the winter. Congratulations to his original owners Stuart Mcphee, Nigel Kelly, Nick Croxford and Jack Stephenson and also Middleham Park who joined us more recently.
CAPTAIN KANE
7 for the Year
Captain Kane has been a revelation this season, improving from race to race and his winning streak clearly hasn’t stopped. He travelled supremely well under Dan Muscutt to register his sixth success of 2022. The race couldn’t have worked out better with plenty of traffic problems for the favoured runners down the inside. Dan was able to hold a tight line and clearly got first run on the rest of the field. That being said it was an impressive performance and the handicapper is likely to have his say. His enthusiasm for racing and training has only deepened as the season's gone on. Huge credit must go to his owners, Blue Starr racing and Keith Breen, who were very patient earlier in his career.
Captain Kane’s extraordinary season reached new heights at Beverley, where he won for the seventh time with arguably his most impressive performance. In a small field and therefore a muddling pace, Dan was always confident, easing Captain Kane into the race with a furlong to run. He quickened up smartly, only idling in the last 100 yards to register his seventh win of 2022. He is now the winning most horse in England and Ireland this year. Timeform and the Racing Post were obviously impressed marking it his most impressive performance to date. We’ll keep our sights relatively low this season as I’ve no doubt that he will improve for another winter on his back. I see no reason why he won’t be able to step up in grade and distance next year.
TIMESTAMP
August Hattrick
Timestamp has been a revelation since qualifying for handicaps. An enormous horse with an excellent pedigree, we have allowed him the time come to himself. It all came together in spectacular style at Chelmsford when he popped onto the lead under a confident Darragh Keenan. He didn’t see another rival that day and quickened up smartly to the line.
We returned to Chelmsford five days later under a penalty, where the outcome was the same however, Darragh employed different tactics, looping the field at halfway as he was unhappy with the pace. Timestamp then went on to Wolverhampton a few days later, sadly without Darragh who took a crashing fall in the race before. He dropped back to a mile and a half on a different surface which he seemed to relish, Dan Muscutt sat motionless throughout the race to extend down to the line to complete the hattrick. I’m very hopeful he can continue his upward trajectory. Huge congratulations to his owner Wes Melcher.
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