We have one runner this evening. Indian Tomahawk returns to a mile after a mediocre effort over further. He wasn’t himself after his last run and had a few easy days. I’m not sure what his best trip is but his recent efforts over a mile have been excellent.
If he jumps and travels and helps Billy early then he should run well. He’s drawn in 12 but it shouldn’t be too much of a hindrance if he can break quickly. We have 2 more tomorrow and I will update on them then. There have been times during the year when everything has just flowed. Horses thriving and running out of their skin and that has waxed and waned as I’m sure it does for every yard. This is a trying period. Horrible cold weather followed by warm almost muggy weather and it’s hard to keep horses healthy and everything moving forward. It’s all downhill from here once Christmas is behind us and we can start a few new faces in the New Year. Fingers crossed this fella or the next 2 can cap a most productive 2017.We introduce a new horse tomorrow evening. Arc Royal runs in the first, a 5 furlong sprint handicap and he carries top weight. David Haddrell sourced him at the recent horses in training sale at Newmarket and he has been syndicated through the power of Twitter. He’s owned by a fantastic group of enthusiasts and I’m optimistic he can provide them with a bit of fun. He was sourced on the basis that he should take to the all weather and hopefully that’s the case.
It’s a learning curve with him, he has lost his form and it would be nice if he could show he’s on the way back. There’s a nice sequence of races over the coming months and this is an ideal start. He’s bred to sprint and looks like a sprinter but has a long languid way of going that would suggest he’ll probably be better over further. He’s drawn 10 which is likely a negative. This race is restricted to riders that have ridden less than 10 winners since March. Emmet McNamara qualifies due, I suspect, to his Ballydoyle commitments and I’m delighted to get him.
Last week was a chastening experience. I was convinced Beach Bar would be in the shake up. He missed the break and tanked amongst horses before finding trouble twice in the straight. This game has a wonderful way of clipping one’s wings and the journey home was a quiet one Friday last. Still we’ll hit off tomorrow full of optimism and give it another go.We started in December 2016 with three in training and our first runner, Alan’s Pride, won on his third start. He was quickly followed by Patrick on his first start for us, and the penny dropped with Khabaray in March when he won. We had a hiatus in April but Khabaray was first to get a second win, in late May at Leopardstown.
Tom Dooley joined us in mid-May and Alan’s Pride won his second race in early June at Limerick. After a few placed efforts, Tom Dooley had the gall to edge out Alan’s Pride in a photo finish at Roscommon, but made up for that with two quick victories at Leopardstown and Fairyhouse. Alan’s Pride put him in his place in winning a 30-runner handicap at The Curragh in early August.
In between times, Patrick rediscovered his form with a huge effort to finish third in the historic Rockingham Handicap on Irish Derby weekend, beaten only two necks. Tom Dooley edged ahead of Alan with his fourth win in a claimer at Laytown. We lost him in the subsequent claim afterwards. Mixed emotions.
We have had 10 wins from four horses. Of the others we have run I am hopeful they will have their day in the sun. Excepting our 13-year-old lead horse. He said no more after his last run! We have a few more soldiers to run in the coming weeks but need more. I will be scouring the horses-in-training sales in the coming months to secure likely types for Dundalk and heading into the 2018 turf season. Don’t hesitate to get in touch, come visit, everyone always welcome.