Chapter and Verse - 6th Sandown

Chapter and Verse ran at Sandown on Saturday and finished 6th of 8. We were a little disappointed with the run as we expected him to enjoy the ground and the likely strong pace. We expected him to pick the leaders up in the final two furlongs but he was not able to raise an effort. Having said that it was a competitive race and Mabait won with any amount in hand. He has come back safe and sound and so we will look for other opportunities. It could be he is a much better all-weather horse than the turf.

Benandonner - Runs well again

Benandonner ran other good race in the Newbury Spring Mile. Breaking well he was just off the pace but got hampered at the 3 furlong marker and although he ran on bravely his chance had gone. Unfortunately he has had no help from the handicapper and needs to be at the 85 mark to be competitive.

Rockie is back

Rock Anthem makes his first appearance of the year at Windsor tomorrow. He has been a stable star since being bought out of John Dunlop's yard in October 2007. Last year he had a very busy campaign running 16 times: 3 wins, 3 second places and 2 third places. Unfortunately his good campaign has left him on a high handicap mark of 76 on the flat which will be tough for him as he is not a big horse. However, he has a big heart and we are hopeful he will come to himself in the second half of the season.
Our apprentice, Barry Adams, is on board and rides him at home. His 7lb claim will help and Barry has worked really hard to do the weight tomorrow. Barry's minimum weight is 8st 5lb and he is due to ride at 8st 4lb which at this stage of the season is a big ask. However, he is a very capable apprentice who deserves more rides. He certainly rode a cracking race on Murrumbidgee to win for us last year and he has had 12 winners under Arab racing so he is well worth his 7lb claim.

ENTRIES- Sunday 11th April -Trempari, Milly Bright at Southwell

Trempari heads to Southwell for his first try over hurdles. He won on the flat over 2m last summer but has been a bit frustrating since. He jumps really well at home so we are hopeful he will give a good account of himself.
Milly Bright runs the second race of her career in the bumper. She is bred for speed but has the size and scope of a National Hunt horse. She has come on for her first run when she was very green and we hope that experience will bring some improvement.

RESULTS- ANOTHER 2nd

Chapter and Verse ran a cracking race last saturday to come second at Kempton, beaten by the course specialist Highly Regal. Since we acquired him out of Barry Hills yard last October his form reads 3222. His rating has risen 7lbs since to 87 which will make life a bit tougher. However, we are hopeful we can find him a race for him to win for his owner David Ellis.

Benandonner didn't have things go his way on the same card in the valuable 1 mile handicap. Following the breaking through the stalls of two runners the horses were taken back out of the stalls and re-loaded. Benandonner has a hood on and having beeen ready first time he was asleep second time around and missed the break. Essentially his race was over as they did not go a great pace and quickened up. He heads for Newbury next week having come out of the race well.

Servoca had a wide draw in the same race as Benandonner and had to be dropped in but with no real pace in the race he was not able to strike a blow.

Easter runners - Benandonner, Chapter and Verse, Servoca

We have three runners this Easter saturday:
Benandonner (3.50 Kempton Channel 4)
We were disappointed with the outcome of the Spring Mile for Benandonner as he didn't handle the tacky ground. However, back on the AW he should give a good account of himself and we are hopeful of a decent run.
Servoca (3.50 Kempton Channel 4)
The most expensive horse in the yard (cost 60,000 guineas at the Newmarket sales) Servoca is a real gentleman for a colt. He came second in his first run for us at Kempton back in November and this is his first outing of the season. He stayed on well from off a strong pace last time and we have stepped him up to 7f.
Chapter and Verse (5.25 Kempton Racing UK)
Another purchase at last year's Horses In Training sale at Newmarket he has already given the team a lot of fun having been placed 3rd and two 2nds from his three runs for us since purchase. He is now rated 85 and has top weight in what looks a competitve handicap. However, he is well and we expect him to be give a good account of himself.