February Progress

​We came into February wanting to build on what we’d been seeing at home and on the track. The horses have been running as we’d planned, learning plenty with each outing, and this is the time of year when you hope that education starts to turn into results.

Thankfully, King Of Magic did just that at Taunton. He’s been progressing steadily and we’ve liked him from early on, but he just needed everything to fall into place on the day. At Taunton he travelled well, jumped neatly, and when it came to getting the job done he showed a really good attitude. Once he hit the front, he knuckled down and saw it out properly, which is always what you want to see.

It was a very good ride from young Freddie Keighley. He’s a jockey going places if he keeps doing things that way. 

​Rainbow Tara was slightly disappointing whilst finishing down the field in bumper at Newcastle today. We may have got the tactics slight wrong but we go straight over hurdles now.

​We head to Sandown this Saturday, where Jack Hyde will line up in the Imperial Cup. He finished second at Taunton on the 12th of February following a short break, and we’re hoping he can come on from that run. It’s obviously a very competitive contest, but he has shown us before that he can compete on a big day. We’re looking forward to seeing him run and giving the owners another exciting day out on a high-profile card.

There’s a £100,000 bonus up for grabs if he can win the Imperial Cup and a race at the Festival, so we’ve entered him in the County Hurdle and the Boys’ Race on Gold Cup Day just in case!

Belle Le Grand ran at Market Rasen on ground softer than ideal, but her jumping is improving with every start. She will head to Kelso later in the month for the valuable Herring Queen Series Final Mares Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, and we’re looking forward to seeing her build on her recent run.

​Our owners recently enjoyed a yard visit to Olly Murphy’s yard to see King’s Scholar in action. He’s settled in really well and has been schooling under the guidance of the likes of Laura Collett and Sean Bowen. He’s set to make his debut over hurdles after Cheltenham, and there’s plenty to look forward to as he takes the next steps in his career. There are still 2 shares available, so any new members won’t have to wait long before experiencing the thrill of ownership!

​Ink Black Heart is in good form and we will see him on a racecourse again in the next couple of weeks. The form of his second at Wetherby Racecourse has been franked, and we’re looking forward to him trying to go one better. 

Saint Jeannais is back at Twiston-Davies Racing following a break and has settled in well. He could head to Aintree or Ayr for his next outing in a bumper. 

As with racing, there are always ups and downs. Run Away Joe and Leloopa have both suffered setbacks, but they are receiving plenty of TLC back at base in Willersey and will be given all the time they need before returning to a racecourse.

I’ve got a busy week ahead with Cheltenham previews, it’s an exciting time as we start to look towards one of the biggest meetings of the season.