Guaracha scores on his stable debut

Guaracha scores on his stable debut.

On Monday afternoon we ran two horses at Plumpton. Our first runner of the afternoon was Slidecheck. He was an unfortunate faller at Fakenham on his last start but his jumping was foot perfect this time round and he ran a creditable second behind what looked to be a well handicapped horse in Goring Two. Slidecheck is an equine member of the West Buckland Racing Club and his second placing was another solid run from a horse in the Club. For more details of how to join the exciting West Buckland Racing Club click here.

Guaracha took his chance in the concluding Handicap Hurdle on the card and the horse was making his first start for the yard and it was a successful one. Mikey Hamill, my conditional took the ride to take a valuable seven pounds off his back as he had top weight and despite looking a beaten horse at the last Guaracha showed a tremendous attitude to battle on secure victory. This was his first run for the yard after I claimed him on New Years Day at Fakenham so it was pleasing the horse could score on his first start for the yard and he is still For Sale to stay in the yard and and given his willingness to battle hard he should continue to progress from this.

Guaracha’s win was my twelfth winner of the season and I am very pleased I have surpassed last season’s total of eleven winners. My main aim at the start of the season was to improve on my total of winners from the previous season and I am thrilled to have achieved that already. As ever though, I am looking forward to winner number 13 and I have plenty of horses entered over the coming week so hopefully there is every chance of another winner.

Taunton stage a tremendous card on Saturday with good quality Prize Money and they have quite rightly been rewarded for their enterprise with some superb entries. I was very keen to support the card where I could and I have made several entries.

Helium has been a star this season; he holds two entries in Handicap Chases. He has had a short break since his last run but he is in very good form at home now and full of zest. He will represent the West Buckland Racing Club, who recently enjoyed a fine afternoon at Plumpton with Slidecheck finishing second on Monday. I’ve not yet decided which race Helium will take his chance in but both races look competitive however,  he has won over hurdles at Taunton in the past so I would be hopeful he can run well.

Teachmetobouggie is entered in both the Novice Hurdles at Taunton and I am looking forward to him making his hurdles debut.Beau Knight, who was due to run at Newbury on Wednesday until that meeting was frozen off, may also take his chance if he is not balloted out.

Black Narcissus, who gave Team Dunn a wonderful win at Towcester last week holds entries at Chepstow, Taunton, Fontwell and over hurdles at Leicester this week. With there being so many meetings under threat I was keen to have her well entered up as she handles testing ground very well. She is in fine form after her Towcester victory and I’ll study the races and the weather forecast and decide which the most suitable opportunity is for her.

Zero Visibility is another who has had a short break after a busy and productive early part of the season. He is in good form at home and holds entries at Chepstow (Friday) and Fontwell on Sunday. I would have thought Fontwell would be the most likely race for him but he will have to take on Goring Two who was a winner at Plumpton on Monday when beating Slidecheck. However, we know Zero Visibility handles the track at Fontwell having won there in the past so I would be hopeful he could acquit himself well.

Another nice young horse, Chasing Fairies, is entered at Fontwell in the concluding bumper. She was an intended runner at Ffos Las on Monday but unfortunately that meeting succumbed to the wet weather. She is a half-sister to Chase The Spud who handles testing conditions well and Chasing Fairies is ready to make her debut and all being well she will take her chance at Fontwell.

I am looking forward to running plenty of horses over the next week and hopefully the weather allows us to do so.

Things have also been very busy back at the yard with plenty of horses schooling and working well. Adam Wedge kindly came down to school a few horses this week. I was particularly pleased with Jaslamour (pictured here under Adam). He was purchased at Doncaster sales and has strengthened up well since then and Adam was very pleased with his jumping. There are 3 shares remaining in him and more information on him is available on the For Sale page and shares are available to purchase from our Online Shop. There are also a few shares remaining in Black Narcissus, who has won twice this season in the Online Shop.

Challico who is a Half Brother to Blu Cavalier has impressed me as well. He has not been with us for that long but he has done nothing but please me since and he has taken to jumping really well. Hopefully he can follow in the footsteps of his half-brother.

Trapper Peak; a horse who joined us at the same time at Guaracha, and actually finished ahead of him has recently been sold to David Gilbert.

Alex