Cheltenham week

We had two runners in France last week, one ran poorly and one ran well. Stormbound got over excited before the race, thus ran badly. Kalicamix only dropped out in the last half a furlong, finishing 5th, which paid for the trip and he may reappear on Thursday at Chantilly in a listed event which may be a little too hot for him.

Although the weather has been inclement the horses are quite well forward bearing in mind. Other than Doncaster, racing gets off to a very low key set of races until April when we have Newmarket and Newbury in one week (can't wait for it). We have bought a faster type of two year old, trying to go the successful Hannon route and they are shaping up well.

Looking forward to Cheltenham in front of the fire although with new Channel 4 team, I am not expecting too many laughs. 

French runners this week!

The whole string is nearly in now and back in full work. Although we have not got a lot of horses, they are all likely sorts and lets hope we don't have to go to France for the ground and the prize money. Since last August we have had 8 winners from 11 runners in France, earning the yard nearly 200K with claims and prize money.

I can see the way things are going, average runners per race are down to eight, trainers are running purely for a pat on the back, benefiting only book makers. With many races being re-opened, All Weather racing could be under threat and prize money needs to be trebled. Everybody seems to have got used to racing for nothing, I think racing will start withering from the bottom.

We have two runners in France tomorrow, Kalicamix and Stormbound. Kalicamix is probably out of his depth but Stormbound has an each way chance from a poor draw.

Stormbound & Kalicamix likely to be next runners

Stormbound & Kalicamix may run in France at the beginning of March if they are both fit, well and if conditions suit. They are both nice horses and very capable.

All the horses who are in work are doing two canters here at the Paradise gallop at Whatcombe. The two year olds are going upsides and going through the stalls every time they go out and all seem a very nice bunch.

We are hoping that the weather is a bit more on our side this year as we go into the season. We do not want the soft ground again as Whatcombe horses do not historically go well on it.

We are very pleased that Circumvent is staying in training and also that Silverheels was bought back by us at the sales to go into a new partnership. The partnership consists of Silverheels (leased) and three two year olds (Fastnet Rock colt, Iffraaj colt, Azamour colt). We are selling eighth & quarter shares in the partnership. For more information please contact alex@paulcole.co.uk

Stormbound to France after win!

We are delighted that Stormbound won his maiden at Wolverhampton and beat Gosden's horse in the event who we thought was the danger. He won with a little in hand and as a consequence we have had some offers to buy him. We are keeping him for the time being and he will probably run in Chantilly on the 5th March in the claiming race on the all weather surface.

Kalicamix is another nice horse who may go back to France on the 14th March for a valuable conditions race over 6.5f. He is now doing faster work and we expect him to run if he is in good health and fit.

Belova sold for £4,500 at the Tattersalls sales last week for owner Henry Robinson, we believe she has gone to be a brood mare.

We have had a new arrival in Lutra a two year old Halling filly who is owned and bred by Henry Robinson and a few old faces have returned from their winter holidays. Cut No Ice, Standing Bear, Call me Marilyn, Gifted Girl & Secret Success have all come back into training.

Nearly all the horses are cantering now and we are very much looking forward to seeing the two year olds start doing some faster work.

Horses to step up shortly

Now that the snow has melted, Whatcombe is looking green again and the horses are able to trot round the loop instead of trotting in the indoor school. Strombound, who ran very well but a little free in first time blinkers two weeks ago, runs again tomorrow in the Maiden at Wolverhampton (4.00pm). We have left the blinkers off because we do not think that he needs them over this trip (1m 1/2 f) and hope that he wins. Pategonia looks like the danger, Gosden's horse also steered clear of the Lingfield maiden last Saturday in favor of running here.

The two horses who look like they have improved the most over the winter are the Captain Rio colt bought at Tattersalls book 2, who is still for sale (see horses for sale page) and Another Name, an unraced three year old colt by Red Clubs who is owned by PJL Racing.

We are sending Belova a very well bred filly by Soviet Star to the February Tattersalls sale. She sells on 7th February in the evening and is Yearling Bonus registered for this season.

All our horses will start cantering next week. We have two early entries for the DBS Premier Stakes at York in August, Meritocracy & Skaters Waltz.

Stormbound left as flag bearer

As we enter the New Year, the yard is fairly quiet with most of the horses trotting or having a break in the field. The two year olds are doing very well, they are walking through the stalls everyday after their exercise.
We have Stormbound still in training who runs in the 2.25pm Handicap at Lingfield on Thursday 10th January. Raul Da Silva is riding him and takes off 3lb. He is working well and we are hoping for better luck in running than his last race.

We would like to wish all our Owners a Happy New Year and the best of luck for the 2013 season!

Winners in France again!

Dance with Dragons was award 1st place at Deauville after getting badly bumped up the straight and finishing a close second. The stewards enquiry didn't take long and after seeing the head on view it was clear he had been hampered. He picked up over £8,000 but did not get claimed so he comes home to run for us next year.

Silverheels also ran the same day at Deauville and finished 3rd. He ran very well under J.Victiore and after having a good start, went into the lead but came under a bit of pressure 2 out. It was a very open handicap with horses rated 90 to 68 so he was giving lumps of weight away. He has come out of his race well and will now have a break before next season.

We are unlikely to have any runners on the all weather now as the Deauville programme has finished and it is a pointless exercise as the prize money hardly covers the costs of the trip out. It is only really a punting medium. We have lots of nice two year olds to look forward to next year including a Fastnet Rock colt who is still for sale.