Benandonner-The old-timer WINS again

Benandonner recorded the 11th win of his career at Wolverhampton on the 24th January. He showed he still retains his enthusiasm for racing at the tender age of 11, although his ability is not what is was. He looked outgunned as Compton Silver made waht looked like a race winning move which put him 2 lengths clear 2 furlongs out. However, Benandonner stuck to his task like that of his namesake, the legendry Scottish giant, and mowed the leader down. We were thrilled with his win as he had narrowly been beaten 12 days earlier and also as it was his first win since he returned to the yard. He loves his work and his racing and we will keep going with him until he tells us he has had enough.
The photo shows Benandonner with his lad, James Meunier, on a thoroughly wet Wolverhampton Friday night made a lot brighter by the win! Photo courtesy of Lesley Hurley, the official photographer of the course.

Discussiontofollow-IMPRESSIVE WINNER

Discussiontofollow ran out an impressive winner of the 6f sprint at Kempton last night. Under a super, and confidence boosting, ride from Shane Kelly DTF tore through the field to win with a little bit in hand!
DTF has always had the look of a good horse in the making since he came to the yard in the Autumn. However, the key here is "horse in the making". We have chosen races which would build his confidence has he had narrowly been beaten in maidens before joining us. He was entitled to win his maiden at Wolverhampton and he did it nicely. The handicap back at Wolverhampton was a step up in class and he coped with it well. We had easier options for him but the reason for taking him to Kempton in a tougher race was for him to learn, a different track (right handed) and a different surface where they would go a bit quicker. He coped well with the different conditions and he will have learnt a bit more about racing (he has only had 5 runs).
Despite winning easily we will not turn him out under a penalty as he is a horse for the longer term. The handicapper will reassess him next week and then we will make plans with the owners as to his campaign for this year.
The guys in the yard have done a great job with him and the horse has got a great temperament and attitude. We look forward with optimism although we are always conscious in this game of the ups and downs of racing!
The photo shows DTF with the winning connections.

Daneglow 2nd

We thought we might have our first winner of the year when Daneglow ran at Wolverhampton last week. However, following Benandonner's narrow defeat the previous day we had to settle for second again as Daneglow just failed to get up from her wide draw. She is a very game horse and we will be back at Wolverhampton in early February to see if she can get her head in front.

Benandonner 2nd

Benandonner ran a great race at Wolverhampton last Sunday, only failing to beat Prime Exhibit. We were hopeful if a big run from Ben as he retains his enthusiasm for racing but does not have the same ability as he once did. We felt he was a shade unlucky as he got boxed in at a crucial stage in the race and the winner got first run.
We will see how he is over the next few days and probably go back to Wolverhampton for a race on the 24th.
The photo shows him in the winners' enclosure with my wife, Denise, Joel who is one of our new owners and lad, Hugo.

Muhdiq 4th

Muhdiq ran a fine race back after his break to be 4th in a Wolverhampton handicap last Friday evening. He was drawn out wide and was a bit keen early on in the race but he kept on down the straight.
The photo shows him with his owner, Denise, and lad, Hugo.

AVONMORE STAR 3rd at Lingfield

Avonmore Star ran one of his best races to date for the yard by achieving a third place sport at Lingfield on Tuesday. He broke well and was just behind the pace. However he didn't have the kick of the 3-year-olds who ran on strongly to deny Avonmore his first win for the yard.
The eyeshields appear to have done the trick in settling the horse and we will look for other 6 furlong races for him and hopefully he will be able to pick up one of these.
The photograph shows Avonmore being led in by his lass, Jessica.

KAKATOSI 2nd at Lingfield

Kakatosi ran an excellent race at Lingfield on New Years eve and just failed to give the yard a winner. He was slowly out of the stalls and sat in joint last-place with the subsequent winner Oblitereight. He made his move once getting onto the straight but the winner had already kicked and Kakatosi just failed to peg him back.
This was another great effort by Kakatosi and he remains in good heart. However he has found three horses just too good for him in 2013 and we hope 2014 brings better luck.
The photograph shows him being led to the winners enclosure by Heidi.

LIMON SQUEEZY 4th at Southwell

Limon Squeezy ran a very encouraging race at Southwell on Sunday. She was drawn out wide and so travelled a bit further than ideal in order to avoid the kickback. However, we were pleased with the way she made progress up the straight and stayed on to achieve a fourth position.
Although she is no superstar she has a great attitude and we hope to be able to pick up a race with her over the winter on the all-weather.
The photographs show her on the way to the start and being led in after the race, by her lass, Jessica Godleman.