DISCUSSIONTOFOLLOW - 2nd in the Rockingham

DTF ran a fine race in defeat in the Rockingham at the Curragh yesterday. He had a great draw in stall 23 out of 24 runners and jumped well. However, the winner had the highest draw in stall 24 and made the running from pillar to post to run out a cosy winner. DTF travelled well and was tracking the winner but had no answer to his victor but stayed on well to be a head in front on third placed Desert Law.
DTF will now head to Ascot on the 11th July to try and repeat his win of last year.

LLYRICAL - A WINNER at Wolverhampton

Llyrical broke his maiden tag at the 23rd attempt at Wolverhampton on Friday. Drawn 13 of 13 his task was not easy but fortunately, and in contrast to the preceding race, the early pace was not strong allowing the horse to manoeuvre across and take the lead. Llyrical then led all the way to the line despite being challenged for the lead in the final three furlongs.
The photo shows an alert Llyrical with Stuart Gosnell, his regular rider, and Denise Murphy.

Zamperini - WINNER at Wolverhampton

Zamperini broke his maiden tag at Wolverhampton yesterday. He was set about his business from the stalls by jockey, Shane Kelly, and dictated from the front. Although chased by the Queen's horse, Motion Picture, for most of the race Zamperini was always holding the aces and ran out a comfortable winner.
The photo shows winning owner, Robert Tillett, with Shane Kelly and Veronika, the horse's regular rider.
The win completed a double on the day for Robert Tillet who also had a winner earlier at Chepstow.

American Hope 6th at ROYAL ASCOT

American Hope ran a fine race in defeat at Royal Ascot on Wednesday in the Royal Hunt Cup. Drawn in stall 20 his jockey, Shane Kelly, made a crucial move to the far side to track the pace. In making the move he toook Temptress across to the far side and she eventually finished 2nd beaten a neck. American Hope was settled at the back as we reverted to hold up tactics and at the 2f marker he was travelling as well as anything else in the race. Shane made his move and at one point we were getting very excited. However, he didn't quite get there and held on for 6th place, beaten three and a quarter lengths.
We were all thrilled with his run and there is a big race in him. The photos below show the horse, and connections, after the race.

American Hope with jockey, Shane Kelly and his regular work rider, Heidi Cullinan:

American Hope with some of the Partners (Tony Wideson, Bill Lemon, Jenny Spooner, Bill Rogerson and Paul Arlotte) after the race:

Bill Lemon giving American Hope a well deserved drink after the horse's exertions:

KAKATOSI WINNER at Wolverhampton

Kakatosi ran out a worthy winner at Wolverhampton on Wednesday afternoon. Despite receiving a bump at the start, which set him back a few places, "Tosi" always had the rest of the field in his sights. Brought out wide on the final bend he was able to run on strongly and past the leader, Rouge Nuage.
Tosi deserved the win as he had come up against the very well handicapped Firmdecisions at Newmarket on his previous run.

The photo above shows delighted winning connections Callum, Bill and Maureen along with Heidi and the superstar Tosi.

Zamperini 2nd at Nottingham

Zamperini kept up the yard's sequence of "bridesmaids" with a 2nd place spot at Nottingham last Sunday. The race was run at a good clip and our jockey, Shane Kelly, settled the horse in rear along with the eventual winner, Ivors Involvement. However, the horses in front paid for their early exertions and started to fal back allowing Zamperini, and the winner, to make progress from the 2f marker. However, the winner had got first run but we were delighted with our horse's effort.
The photo below shows "Lucky", as he is known at home, with connection, in the Winner's Enclosure.

Chapter and Verse 2nd at Nottingham

Chapter and Verse carried on the yard's sequence of 2nd itus with a battling 2nd at Leicester on Bank Holiday Monday. He jumped well and with there being no strong gallop he went forward again as he had done on his previous,winning, visit. However, he always had competition for the lead and he was going a fraction quicker than the last time he raced over course and distance. However, he looked the winner with half a furlong to go (evidenced by him trading at 1/25 on Betfair according to the RP) but having done a lot of the donkey work he faded in the last 50yards and was beaten by Jacobs Son.
This was another fine effort by our veteran grey and providing he is fit and well we will look for similar opportunities for him.

Llyrical 2nd at Nottingham

Llyrical ran a fine race in defeat to an extremely well handicapped horse at Nottingham on the 21st May. Our horse jumped well taking advantage of his low draw and despite Llyrical being keen the jockey, Shane Kelly, got him into a good rhythm. He looked as though he might be swallowed up with 2f to go but battled all the way to the line. He was beaten by a 3yo who had the age allowance and who looked very well handicapped based on his previous run at Thirsk. Astoundingly he was dropped 3lb for his never nearer fast finishing 4th place that day (it is well worth looking at the race to see how anyone could drop the horse for the run!!). However, we were delighted with Llyrical and we will look for similar opportunities (but hopefully without horses "thrown in").