Rio Ronaldo 3rd at Leicester

Rio Ronaldo ran with credit when 3rd at Leicester on Wednesday evening. Having only the second start of his career he was quickly into the bridle and although a little keen he settled well enough in behind the pace. It looked at the 2f marker as if he could win the race but jockey, Shane Kelly, said he was still weak and not able to pick up as one might have expected. He should come on for this run and we will look for another maiden for him in the next few weeks. He is a very good looking horse who should make up into a very nice 3yo.
The photo shows him in the Parade ring and he looked the pick of the paddock.

Chapter And Verse - A WINNER at Leicester

Chapter And Verse finally got another win on turf (his last was at Ripon in August 2009) at Leicester yesterday evening. He was given a good ride by jockey, Shane Kelly, who having spotted there was no pace in the race followed our instructions and sent the horse to the lead where he was able to control the race from the front. Chapter has won over 7f and so was able to wind things up down the straight and he was never in danger of being beaten. We were thrilled with his win as things had not gone right for him in a few races and this was a tremendous success for the horse who has been a good servant to the yard.
The photo shows Jessica, with a big smile on her face, leading the horse into the Winner's Enclosure. 

The photo below shows Chapter and Verse in the paddock this  morning with his best mate, Discussiontofollow, who also won his last race and is heading for the 32Red Stewards' Cup on Saturday.

American Hope, American Heartache - 2nd at Ascot

What a performance by American Hope last Saturday. We were so heartbroken we have not been able to update our News Page! However, now we have had some therapy we are able to relive the performance. It was a great effort by American Hope under top weight to run 2^nd in the race and follows on from an equally impressive run in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot. He probably jumped too well on Saturday and was immediately near the front and a bit keen. Shane did the right thing and let him bowl along and he was travelling comfortably. At the 2f pole Shane sent him for home and he looked to have put the race to bed (punters certainly thought so as he traded at 1.01 on Betfair!). However, he had been in front a long time and he was just outstayed by Mange All who managed to get his head up on the line. As you can imagine we were all thrilled but disappointed victory had been snatched from us in the final stride. However, it was a great day for everyone with Yankee (his stable name) looking the pick of the paddock (he didn’t win best turned out either which is another travesty of justice!) and in this game you have to accept these things. The handicapper was also suitably impressed by his performance and raised his handicap mark to 104 (+5) which means we will move him up into Listed company with the Listed race at York on August 22^nd his next intended target.

The photos show American Hope and connections at Ascot 

Kakatosi 3rd at Ascot

On a day when we broke our Ascot duck we thought Kakatosi had a chance to make it a second win on the day but it wasn't to be as he achieved a very creditable 3rd place. Under jockey, Pat Dobbs, we set out to be positive on the horse and with no pace in the race Kakatosi was sent to the front. He galloped all the way but again found a couple of horses too good for him on the day. He is the most honest and consistent of horses and it would have been great if he could have held on for the win. However, his consistency has resulted in little leniency from the handicapper and so he continues to find one or two horses better handicapped than him.
The photos are of the good looking Kakatosi in the 3rd place spot with connections, Robert and Bill Tillett, and his regular rider Heidi.

Discussiontofollow ASCOT WINNER

Discussiontofollow won the Totepool Heritage Handicap on Saturday at Ascot and the team were all thrilled to see DTF get his head in front having been unlucky at the Curragh two weeks previously. We felt the horse had come on for the run in Ireland but our confidence was dented when we saw his draw in stall 1. The pace looked to be with the high draws on the stands side and having seen our American Hope suffer from being drawn low we felt the same fate may beset DTF. Thus the plan was to track the pace and Shane Kelly, his jockey, jumped out the stalls moved left and was able to track the high drawn horses. These horses were not tight on the rail and so he did not have to come across too far. The horse traveled supremely well and he had horses to aim at at the 1f marker. Shane was able to hunt them down in the final furlong and hold on by a head from Millys Gift who had run up the middle of the track. We have always thought a lot of DTF and the plan is to go for the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood which looks the type of race to suit his running style.
The photo (thanks Julie) shows DTF in the WINNER'S ENCLOSURE and as you can see we were all absolutely thrilled with his win.