£70,000 London Middle Distance Final

The 2013/14 AW season has had a much needed prize money boost and the £70,000 London Middle Distance Final has attracted an extremely competitive field, full of horses that have been running well in the recent qualifiers. We are lucky to be represented by both Shavansky and Icebuster, and both have excellent chances of picking up prize money. Veteran of the yard Shavansky has won two qualifiers and has a hundred percent record at the course and distance. He was given a cracking ride by five pound claimer Shelly Birkett, when winning a very competitive qualifier three weeks ago. There wasn't much pace on that day so his effort can be upgraded and he won the 2012 London Mile Final so you know the old boy is capable of winning such a contest. With his slow starts, Icebuster often gets left at the back of the field and he is left hostage to the pace on the AW. He had no chance off a stop start gallop when third last week, which was an excellent effort in the circumstances. His wide draw is actually a positive as he like to challenge wide, so at least he won't be stuck in a pocket on the rail if they do go steady. He's tremendously consistent and is more likely to run his race than Shavansky but the veteran may have more class if he's on a going day. Hopefully both put up good shows in such a valuable race.

Handicap Debut For Modem

Motivator gelding Modem makes his handicap debut in a modest looking finale at Lingfield this afternoon and he looks to have strong claims on paper. He made a promising start to his career when third on debut at Ffos Las and improved on that when fifth in a much stronger event at Windsor. Both those races were on heavy ground and switched to the polytrack, he found a mile far too sharp when disappointing at Lingfield last time out. While it looked a weak race at the time, the winner Tasrih set a very strong pace and has since confirmed himself a useful AW performer winning off 81 and the third Sweham has won a maiden so the run wasn't quite as disappointing as it looked at the time. The handicapper has given him a mark of 69 on the turf but only 64 on the AW, which enables him to take his chance in this modest Class 6 contest. While he may well be better on soft ground, the extra half a mile should suit and hopefully blinkers will help him concentrate. However, he runs against one of our old horses Yes Chef whose extremely well handicapped, 19lbs lower than his last win and back at a more suitable trip, a big run from the talented Best Of The Best's gelding wouldn't surprise.

Ivor's Secures Win Number 20 In 2013

It wasn't a bad evening at Kempton with all three representatives running solid races and bringing some prize money back to Devon. Ivors Princess finally showed some sparkle down to Class 6 company and despite making Sean Levey, riding a treble on the card, work very hard in the early stages, she ran out a cosy winner. She went up 21lbs for winning two races last year and struggled with the handicapper as she was forced to run out of her grade and completley lost her confidence. She missed the first half of this season but showed promise when third at Salisbury but two disappointing efforts meant she was on her last Flat chance on Wednesday evening. Hopefully with confidence boosted, she can exploit what is now a lenient handicap mark.

There was no pace on for Icebuster in the London Middle Distance qualifier and he was very keen under Shelly Birkett. There was nothing Shelly could do but sit and suffer from an inside draw and she did well to extricate him wide when the sprint started for home entering the home straight. Third was still a good effort in the circumstances and he will get into next week's £70,000 Final. With a field of sixteen, there should be some pace and both he and Shavansky have a good chance of earning some decent prize money.

Ice Tres made a promising return to the track, breaking on terms and wasn't keen in the early stages under David Probert. The lack of a recent run told as she weakened into fourth in the final furlong but it was a solid effort and she should remain competitive in that grade this winter.

Another Qualifier For Buster

With Icebuster dropping to 84, he isn't certain to get in the £70,000 London Middle Distance Final so he goes for the final qualifier at Kempton on Wednesday evening. He has been extremely consistent this season, posting RPR's of 87-92 on ten of his twelve starts this season. However, he is probably struggling with the handicapper, remains four pounds higher than his Haydock success and the fact that he is best off a strong pace doesn't make things easy. However, he has useful five pound claimer Shelly Birket (won on Shavansky) on board and with only seven runners, he won't be too far off the pace even if sitting last, a scenario which has seen numerous good efforts this year. Hopefully he will go pretty close tomorrow and it will be great if we can have two horses in the final.

Despite the fact we are very quiet at the minute, we also have two other runners at Kempton on Wednesday. Ice Tres returns from a 157 day absence in the first division of the twelve furlong handicap. She blew her chance with slow starts on her most recent outings so we gave her the summer off. If she returns in a better frame of mind, she is very well handicapped off 50, having placed off a five pound higher mark on hndicap debut at Wolverhampton.

Ivors Princess has been disappointing over the last eighteen months, although there were signs of a rivival when third at Salisbury and fifth at Chepstow this autumn. She is incredibly well handicapped, off a mark 13lb lower than her last win and eight pound lower than the Salisbury third. She had little chance held up off a steady pace last time and dropped into Class 6 Company, it would be no surprise if she bounced back.

Tenth Career Success For Shavansky

Remarkable veteran Shavansky recorded his tenth victory and took his career earnings to £105,000 when landing a London Middle Distance qualifier event at Kempton on Thursday evening. In a competitive event, he was sent off an unconsidered 25/1 shot and with a strong pace unlikely, the odds were probably justified. However, freshened up by a fifty five day break, he travelled strongly throughout the race and when produced by useful five pound claimer Shelly Birket at the intersection, he showed an impressive turn of foot to hit the front and was always doing enough to hold on in a bunch finish. As he's now nine, he seems more effective on the polytrack, a surface which is easier on an old horses joints and he made it two from two over eleven furlongs at the Sunbury track. He will now head for the £70,000 London Middle Distance Final on the 11th December and he should have every chance of adding to his London Mile success last summer.

Hopefully Icebuster will be joining him in the final and he ran a solid race when fifth on Wednesday evening, only beaten three lengths in a competitive event. A strong pace over eleven furlongs will suit and you couldn't rule him out from running a big race either.

Buster and Shavansky At Kempton

After a quiet spell, we actually have runners on three consecutive days with Icebuster at Kempton on Wednesday evening and Shavansky there twenty four hours later. Both were last seen running creditable races in the Silver Cambridgeshire and these runs will put both spot on for the £50,000 London Middle Distance Final in December.

Icebuster came out on top at Newmarket, running a cracking race to finish fifth of twenty five (both Scottish Star and Silver Dixie were behind him) and this race this evening looks weaker. Although he hasn't won on the AW, he has plenty of solid form on the surface and Kempton certainly suits. However, he does need a strong pace to be at his most effective, as a slow start normally leaves him at the back of the field, while it's not ideal that he hasn't run for 54 days but there just hasn't been a suitable opportunity as he can't run on soft ground.

Shavansky was eighth at Newmarket, a solid effort as they didn't go quick enough for him and he seems better on the AW now he's well into the veteran stage. He was a course and distance winner two starts back and provided he gets a strong pace to chase, he has eachway chances with Shelly Birket taking off a useful five pounds.

Southwell wasn't too successful yesterday. Unfortunately, Madame Kintyre was slow to stride which made life very difficult from stall fourteen. She was only beaten four lengths in to seventh and with a better draw/break would have been placed. She showed she acts on the surface and in a slightly lower grade she should find a race this winter. While Blunos was plain disappointing, perhaps he just doesn't enjoy any AW surface. 

Back At Sunny Southwell

It's nice to have a couple of runners on the fibresand at Southwell, a surface which our horses tend to enjoy and the 465 mile round trip normally provides the yard with some prize money. Both Madame Kintyre and Blunos are having their first experience of the fibresand and while you can never be certain that they will handle the unique surface, especially the kickback, we are hopeful both can run well.

Madame Kintyre missed a very good opportunity at Bath when the weighing room flooded and this is the first race she has actually got in for over a month which has been extremely frustrating as she has been in good form on her most recent starts. Her dam Chorus loved the fibresand surface at Southwell and her half-sister Ishi ran up to her best when tried on the surface, so it should suit. It's a shame she is so wide in fourteen, although that is preferable to being stuck on the dead rail up the inside. A mark of 51 is still workable (has useful form in the 60s) and she should put up a good show and as long as she handles the fibresand, she should have a profitable winter on the surface.

Blunos shaped nicely on his third start at Windsor but has been very disappointing in two handicap outings at Wolverhampton. That surface has received a lot of criticism in recent weeks and rightly so, the mix of fibresand on top of polytrack is causing an inconsistent surface that a lot of horses don't seem to be handling. Hopefully that is the reason why he has run so badly the last twice but he has dropped to a mark of 50, this looks a very weak race and it will be disappointing if he isn't in the three.

We have been very quiet on the runners front recently but Galatian shaped much better when third on his most recent start. He has had a lot of issues with his feet but if his confidence builds, he is very well handicapped off 68 (last win off 72) and should do well this winter. Unfortunately, there are no opportunities at Kempton in the next few weeks, which is the AW track that will suit him best but hopefully there will be lots of races in the New Year.

Weak Looking Maiden For Modem

It has been pretty quiet for the yard in recent weeks, with no runner in a fortnight as most of the Flat string are now on their winter holidays, while those that are racing on the AW through the winter are still a few weeks off a run. However, we could certainly do with a winner and it looks as if Modem has a good chance at Lingfield tomorrow.

The Motivator gelding was green on debut but showed plenty of promise when finishing third in very heavy ground at Ffos Las. He was slow to stride before making an impressive mid-race move, he looked the winner approaching the final furlong before getting tired in the ground. He improved on that effort when fifth in a much more competitive maiden at Windsor on his second start, staying on nicely at the finish. Thursday's maiden at Lingfield looks much weaker, he probably has the best form on offer already and he remains open to improvement. The potential 'fly in the ointment' is the Luca Cumani trained Bouclier, owned by the Wildenstein's and this Zamindar colt is a half brother to Beauty Pagent (RPR119) and Barocci (RPR110). While the Cumani horses normally improve for the outing, he did have a similar type win at Kempton on Tuesday evening.

Blunos returns to Wolverhampton after disappointing on his handicap debut there five weeks ago. The track was riding extremely deep on that occasion and the has tightened up since then. He ran well on his third start at Windsor and a repeat of that could see him go close in what looks a weak looking Class 6 Nursery.   

Four Sold On At Horses In Training Sales And A New Addition

We said goodbye to four of our older horses at Tattersalls Horses In Training Sales at Newmarket last week. Shahdaroba was top lot of the draft, making 65,000gns and has joined Micky Hammond's stable. He was generally pretty consistent, although he struggled with the handicapper after winning at Newmarket's Craven meeting, putting in creditable efforts throughout the season. He has done extremely well for his owners, purchased for 25,000gns as a yearling, winning two races and £36,127 in prize money, plus a £10,000 bonus for his maiden win and will do well for new connections in similar handicaps next year.

The Links also sold the three-years-olds Astrum and Poetic Verse, both having done extremely well this season but both probably held by the handicapper at present and it's the right time to sale them on. Homebred Poetic Verse did particularly well, winning four times this season and was placed a further tweleve times in her career from twenty-three starts. She rose 23lbs in the handicap before her winning run came to an end, mainly due to her excellent attitude but found life harder against some classy sorts in Class 4 company. She has joined John Quinn's yard for 16,500gns and her excellent attitude is sure to stand her in good stead. Astrum was very disappointing at two but he came into his own stepped up in trip as a three-year-old, winning twice and placed six times, he probably should have won three or four but didn't get much luck on occasions. He also went up 22lbs in the handicap and has joined Neil King's yard for 36,000gns and will be sent hurdling in the winter, if his antics when jumping over the road at Salisbury as a two-year-old are anything to go by, he will make a super jumper!

Finally, tough two-year-old Urban Dreamer was also sold on, frustratingly still a maiden but he gave his owners plenty of fun this year. In a busy season, he had seventeen starts, finished runner-up on seven occasions as well as four thirds, a fourth and two solid efforts just outside the prize money in valuable sales races. He still picked up over £13,000 in place prize money and was generally progressive at the end of the season, ending up rated 78. We felt he was the type that may struggle in the UK at three, so although winning a maiden should be a formality (we also thought that throughout the season but UD had other ideas!), life in handicaps could be hard. He made 17,000gns and is now enjoying the sunnier climate of Qatar.

While we also have a new addition to the yard as Triple Chief was purchased for 10,000gns from the Luca Cumani yard. The High Chaparral colt out of Trebles is an unraced two-year-old and he's been gelded and put away for the winter. He's a half-brother to a German Group 2 winner in Sherezad and he could be a nice progressive type for next season.

Shahdaroba In Action On Champions Day

It's nice to be represented at Ascot on Champions Day, with Shahdaroba taking his chance in the apprentice finale, a twenty seven runner cavalry charge! Seven furlongs on soft ground is ideal and he has finally eased in the handicap, just one pound higher than when he won at the Craven meeting. It was a solid effort when fourth over a mile at Ascot two weeks ago and it would be no surprise if he nicked some minor prize money.

At Bath on Sunday, Madame Kintyre bids to go one better after finishing second on her two most recent starts. Somehow she just lost out in a three way photo at Windsor last Monday, beaten a nose by the winner and dead heating for second! She enjoys soft ground, so the more rain the better and Pat could take off a valuable seven pounds. She certainly deserves to get off the mark in 2013.

Another Placing For Dreamer

Once again Urban Dreamer has continued to run well without winning in the last two weeks. He stayed on well for tenth in the £150,000 Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy and we were confident of another big effort at Haydock on Friday. He didn't disappoint with a solid third in a £14,000 Nursery, the rain softened ground probably wasn't ideal but it was still a cracking run off a five pound higher mark than his second over the same course and distance three weeks previously. He's now had sixteen runs, seven seconds, four thirds and two solid tenths in big Sales races. Despite no win, he's picked up £13,000 in place money and we have one more chance before he goes to the sales at end of the month.

Two Year Old Trophy Task For Dreamer

Consistent two-year-old Urban Dreamer goes to Redcar for the £150,000 Totepool Two Year Old Trophy and has outside chances of picking up some minor prize money. He's an incredibly tough two-year-old, from his fourteen starts he's racked up seven seconds and three thirds and has run consistently well throughout the year. Blinkers seemed to bring about some improvement when second to Deeds Not Words last time and he wasn't stopping at the line, so six furlongs could help. He ran very well in the Super Sprint, showing good speed before getting badly hampered and in a better race, it would be no surprise if he ran a career best and nicked fifth or sixth prize.

It was another solid effort from Shahdaroba when finishing fourth at Ascot yesterday. He again stayed on well enough to suggest that he has enough stamina for a mile but also confirmed that he's a tad high in the handicap.

Shahdaroba At Ascot

Shahdaroba goes in the 0-90 Classified Stakes at Ascot on Friday. The Haatef gelding has struggled with the handicapper since winning at Newamarket's Craven meeting back in April but this is his first run at 0-90 level this season. The trip of a mile is a query, he has won both his races over six furlongs but has run well enough in two attempts at today's trip, a second at Chepstow and fifth at Kempton to suggest he has the stamina. Although very soft ground wouldn't be ideal, the excellent drainage system at Ascot means it rarely gets too heavy and he certainly has each-way chances.

Eugenic ran a nice race on his second start at Warwick on Thursday, finishing seventh of thirteen and running much better than his odds of 100/1 suggested. He is still on the weak side but should make up into a nice three-year-old next season.

Trio At Bath On Monday

It's a trip to Bath on Monday and despite the fact we're well into the autumn, the ground is still on the quick side, which might not be ideal for some of our horses. Kaizen Factor goes in the ten furlong nursery and the Azamour gelding was very disappointing on his first two starts before running much better when fourth on soft ground at Chepstow. Unfortunately we feel that the handicapper overrated the bare form and his initial mark of 68 seemed on the high side. He struggled from a bad draw on his handicap debut at Kempton and despite finishing a well beaten ninth, the handicapper only dropped him a pound. He may well be too high in the handicap but with My Anchor, runner-up from Chepstow in the field and raised twenty pounds in the process, we will at least get a direct guide to how strong that Chepstow form actually is.

Madame Kintyre ran her best race of the season when second at Ffos Las last time out, clearly relishing the heavy ground. While she won on firm ground as a three-year-old at Bath, she does seem to want some ease in the ground now she's a bit older and she will want some heavy showers on Monday to help her chances. In the finale, Winnie Perry has each-way chances, his last two efforts have been pretty solid when finishing third at Warwick and Ffos Las and the blinkers should help him travel in a 'Hands and Heels' contest.

Yet Another Second For The Dreamer!

In his third handicap, Urban Dreamer maintained his hundred per cent strike rate of filling the runners-up spot with a career best effort at Haydock on Friday, taking his career record to seven seconds and three thirds from fourteen starts this year! First time blinkers certainly helped the Intense Focus colt as he showed plenty of speed up the stands rail before being collared by the improving Deeds Not Words, himself on a hat-trick, inside the final furlong. With three lengths back to the third, the race run in a Juvenile Course record, it has to represent a cracking effort from Urban Dreamer, who takes his career earning to £11,666 despite no success. If he gets in, he could go to Redcar for their valuable Sales race and you certainly couldn't rule out more minor prize money if he repeats Friday's effort. We just hope we can get a win out of him before he goes to the Sales next month.

At Newmarket, both of the Link's Partnership horses ran solid races in the Silver Cambridgeshire. Despite the big field, there wasn't much pace which didn't suit either horse. Icebuster was ridden much more prominently and led the field three out before getting outpaced. He rallied coming out of the dip but got checked by the winner which probably cost him fourth but he still picked up around £700. The slow pace certainly didn't help Shavansky but he also rallied in the closing stages and wasn't beaten far in eighth.

Silver Cambrigeshire Duo

After a quiet week on the runners front, it's a busy Friday with both Icebuster and Shavansky in the Silver Cambridgeshire at Newmarket and Urban Dreamer bidding to lose his maiden tag in the nursery at Haydock.

Yard veteran Shavansky has a good record in the Cambridgeshire itself, finishing fifth in 2009 and seventh in 2011 (beaten 3.5L off 94, now 87 without including Pat's 7lb claim) and the straight nine furlongs in a big field really suits him. You normally get a strong pace and even if he misses the break and sits at the rear, the fact that the field is so spread out means you are not that far off the pace. He certainly isn't getting any younger but he's still capable of making an impression in such events. Icebuster also has a similar profile, his slow starts and keen going nature means he also requires a strong pace, although he ideally he prefers ten furlongs or more. However, it wasn't a bad effort when fourth over CD at the Guineas meeting and they didn't go fast enough that day so he too has each-way chances. Both are well overpriced at 40-1 and with one drawn on either side, we hope that at least one of them can bring some prize money back down to Devon.

While at Haydock, the consistent if slightly luckless Urban Dreamer has each way chances in the £15,000 Nursery. The Intense Focus colt has six seconds and three thirds to his name this year but that elusive win eludes him. He has blinkers on for the first time today, which certainly helped his sire find some improvement and while it's a competitive event, we feel he certainly has the ability to win such a race off 73. Stall twelve should suit as with stalls in the centre, he shouldn't get crowded up the stands rail, he is also cracking each-way value at 14/1.

Taws Makes Debut At Goodwood

Hernando filly Taws makes her debut at Goodwood this afternoon in the nine furlong two-year-old maiden. The filly is a half-sister to Tim Easterby's useful stayer Deauville Flyer, while we also trained her half sister Golden Valley to win a seven furlong maiden at Doncaster at two. Taws is much more of a three year old type than her sister and will definitely want twelve furlongs plus next season but this is a nice starting point for her career. The race itself looks a lot stronger than in recent seasons, with those to have run showing a decent level of form but she should gain plenty from this outing for the future.

Newbury Nursery Third For Carpenter

It was a good effort from Master Carpenter at Doncaster but the three pound rise he received for a three and a quarter length second was extremely harsh. With his fondness for soft ground, we decided to run him at Newbury ten days later in a small field Nursery, in case we had a dry time ahead. He again put up a solid show, although his efforts to challenge the easy six length winner Bow Creek meant he lost out on second place in the closing stages. Hopefully the handicapper will reassess him after this effort as things won't be easy in similar events in the autumn but we hope he will strengthen up over the winter and progress into an exciting three-year-old.

Fifth Second For Urban Dreamer

It was a successful day at Ffos Las, no winner but all four ran with credit and offered hope for future. Once again Urban Dreamer notched up another second in the nursery, he probably found the going on the soft side but he certainly deserves to win one soon. Madame Kintyre looked the likely winner entering the final furlong in the finale but got headed inside the final hundred yards. She clearly enjoyed the heavy ground and off a mark of 50 she is definitely capable of winning something similar.

On his debut, Modem shaped encouragingly, despite racing green in the early stages, he soon made up ground in the home straight before weakening in the final furlong to finish a very creditable third. Eugenic was also pretty green in the early stages and he too made up ground mid-race before getting very tired in the heavy ground.

Four At Ffos Las On Sunday

It's a busy Sunday at Ffos Las with four runners and two of them are newcomers making their first steps on the racecourse and it will be very interesting to see how they get on.

Eugenic is a Piccolo gelding that makes his debut in the opening mile maiden and this nice big sort will need time to be seen at his best. His dam Craic Sa Ceili won over a mile at two and as he isn't the sharpest sort in the world, we have decided to start him off at a mile. With experience, we expect him to want a shorter trip, more in keeping with his siblings but it's a nice starting point.

In the older horse maiden, John Deer's Modem makes his debut over a mile and he should go quite nicely on his debut and he looks to be running in a suitable race, with just five runners and three of his rivals have been seen under NH rules. He is by Motivator and does share some of his sire's quirks but he certainly has ability and should be capable of third prize at least.

Urban Dreamer has been very consistent this season, with five seconds and three thirds to his name from twelve starts but we still seek that elusive win. He ran very well when second on his nursery debut at Sandown and was chinned on the line in a CD maiden so he should be in the frame once again and represents our best chance of a winner.

It's a shame there are so many runners in Madame Kintyre's race as she has been running well in small field events at Ffos Las this year and off a career low mark of 50, she should run ok, especially as soft ground will suit but she has gone a while since her last success which is a concern as she still works well at home.

Have to make a quick mention about Dovils Duel who was a disappointing favourite at Chepstow under his six pound penalty on Thursday. With few options to run four pounds well in, raised ten for his Lingfield success, we had to go even though five could have been on the sharp side. Unfortunately, more of a problem was the soft ground, which combined with the drop back to five and Chepstow's unique undulations could have contributed to a below par effort. We're sure he will be back under more suitable conditions, although life will be harder under his new mark.

Hat Trick Bid For Dovils Duel

After a very disappointing start to his two-year-old career, it was a relief that Dovils Duel finally got off the mark at Leicester, even if it was only off a mark of 60. However, his confidence was clearly boosted by this initial success as he won convincingly off a five pound higher mark at Lingfield, travelling strongly before powering clear inside the final furlong to win by two and a half lengths. The handicapper has put him up ten pounds to 75 so our hand is forced to run him under a six pound penalty but he's had eight days to recover from Lingfield and he certainly didn't have a hard race that day. The way he travelled over six suggests that five furlongs with a bit of give in the ground should be fine and it will be disappointing if he doesn't go close in the hat-trick bid on Thursday.

Runner Up Slot For The Carpenter

After disappointing in the Chesham at Royal Ascot and seemingly outclassed in the July Stakes, it was good to see Master Carpenter running a solid race when second on his handicap debut at Doncaster on Thursday. The Mastercraftsman colt had shown some useful early season form but hadn't progressed as expected in those high class races and given plenty of time to recover from Newmarket, we were unsure how he would fare off an opening mark of 89. However, he enjoyed the rain-softened ground and stayed on strongly inside the final furlong to finish a clear second, showing there are races to be won off his current mark and as he enjoys soft ground, he should have a profitable autumn.

Penny Dropped With Dovils Duel

After proving extremely difficult earlier in the season, Dovils Duel has finally grown up and has taken advantage of a lenient handicap mark to rack up two successes in recent weeks. With Andrea back on board in a handicap, he settled in the early stages before staying on strongly to finish second in a competitive Class Five Nursery at Nottingham. Dropped into Class 6 company at Leicester a week later, he travelled strongly and despite wandering in the closing stages, he was always doing enough to record his first victory. Raised five pounds to 65, he was still eligible for Class 6 company and we took him to Lingfield, where he was made favourite for a big-field nursery. Again he travelled strongly but this time he powered clear inside the final furlong, looking much more professional. He has always worked extremely well and we hope he will continue to progress this autumn and make up into a lovely three year old.

Gaelic Ice Off The Mark At Chepstow

Lightly raced Iceman four-year-old Gaelic Ice got off the mark at Chepstow on Bank Holiday Monday. She only had three starts at three, showing ability when second at Kempton and has strengthened up over the winter. She has been consistent this year, finishing placed in handicaps at Windsor and Ffos Las but dominated her rivals dropped into selling company under a competent ride from Pat. Hopefully this confidence boost will enable her to win again back in handicap company.

Return To Windsor Seller For Into The Wind

Tough filly Into The Wind has been running some solid races this season, with three places in four starts and running a career best when second off 66 in a Class 4 handicap at Sandown last time. She is now 7lb above her last winning mark, so have dropped her back into Selling company at Windsor on Monday night. She has run in three similar events over the last two years, winning one in 2012, while she got beat a short head in this event in 2011 and was fourth last year. The main concern is the big field of fifteen, as she's certainly an easier ride in smaller fields when you can drop her out the back. However, there is plenty of deadwood in opposition and as long as Pat can get a decent position early, she has an outstanding chance.

We also have gigantic two-year-old Biotic in the opening two-year-old maiden. This Aqualam gelding made a promising start to his career when finishing fourth at Leicester, despite getting very tired in the soft ground. He is drawn in stall one so should go well on the quicker ground and it would be nice if he was placed again but whatever he does at two will be a bonus and he could be a decent horse when strengthening up next season.

Plenty More Places!

A busy week and lots of solid performances from the horses meant we picked up plenty of place money. At Nottingham, Dovils Duel certainly enjoyed the slight drop in grade and he was the closest we got to a winner as he stayed on strongly to claim second in the nursery. It was a career best effort from the Clodovil gelding and with the penny starting to drop, it shouldn't be long before he's in the winners enclosure.

It was a case of 'thirditus' for the rest of the week. Madame Kintyre broke on terms and ran her best race of the season when third at Ffos Las, enjoying the soft ground and hopefully we can find a small race for her in the coming weeks. Meanwhile at Salisbury, Ivor's Princess ran her best race for over a year when finishing third in the apprentice race. She went up 18lbs (21 if you take in Sean Levey's claim) for winning twice early last year and struggled thereafter. She is back to a winning mark and will appreciate some easy ground in the autumn.

Tough two-year-old Urban Dreamer has been racking up more place money as we bid for that elusive £10,000 Racing Post Bonus and finished third at both Chepstow on Thursday and Pontefract Sunday. He's running up to his mark of 72 and it may be that we try for a nursery next time, he certainly deserves to win a race.

Drop In Grade To Help Dovils?

After posting a career best when finishing third at Lingfield three weeks ago, we were hoping Dovils Duel had turned the corner as he looked a slightly unlucky loser as he flashed home inside the final furlong. Unfortunately he ran too keen stepped up to seven furlongs at Newbury and he still isn't producing his homework on the track. However, he drops back to six furlongs at Nottingham, down in grade and has a stronger jockey with Andrea able to do the weight. Let's hope this helps as he definitely has the ability to win races and a bold show certainly wouldn't surprise.

There is a valuable two day meeting at Salisbury on Wednesday and Thursday and we're represented on both days. On Wednesday, Ivor's Princess returns to the track where she won twice last season and has first-time cheekpieces on in a bid to rediscover some form. It's a weak apprentice race and although the ground will be quicker than ideal, she's capable of going close. On Thursday, Seaham also bids to return to form having disappointed at Chepstow last time. The undulations probably didn't suit and he has useful form at Salisbury, the best on offer in fact and although he gives weight to some unexposed fillies, it's a race in which he should go close.

We also cross the bridge into Wales on Wednesday and Thursday with runners at both Ffos Las and Chepstow. Madame Kintyre makes a quick return to Ffos Las having blown a winnable chance when trying to break through the stalls last week. Her earlier effort when only beaten three lengths at the track gives her every chance if she's on best behaviour. On Thursday, the luckless Urban Dreamer bids to land a bonus maiden, having finished runner-up four times already in his short career. He hasn't done much wrong, he was nailed on the line at Ffos Las two weeks ago and proven experience of Chepstow's unique undulations will stand him in good stead.

Shergar Cup Third For Icebuster

After a couple of below par efforts, it was a return to form from Icebuster as he stayed on well for third in the 1m4f event at Ascot's Shergar Cup. He settled very nicely under German rider Andrasch Starke (rode Danedream to win the King George) and looked dangerous entering the final two furlongs but he couldn't reel in the front two. It was another solid effort but he is plenty high enough in the weights at the moment.

We also had Shahdaroba in the three year old sprint with Kieran Fallon in the plate but it was a rare disappointing effort from the Haatef gelding as he was a well beaten seventh. Perhaps the drop back to six furlong was against him but a mark of 94 does make life hard.

Meanwhile, Gaelic Ice ran another solid race at Windsor, finishing thrid in the ten furlong handicap and once again she has shown enough to suggest she can win a race.

Shavansky Takes Us Off The Cold List

After a frustrating spell in which we found ourselves on the dreaded cold list, it was a huge relief when the old man of the yard Shavansky got us out of trouble at Kempton on Wednesday evening. What made the losing spell more frustrating was the fact that the horses were running well in defeat, with around ten seconds since our last winner, some losing out in agonising photos! With most of our string handicappers, narrow defeats mean you edge up the handicap and it can be a vicious circle, especially when your looking for that elusive winner.

However, Shavansky hadn't had much luck in recent starts and he was one of the few horses that slipped to a winning mark and he took full advantage dropped into a Class 4 apprentice handicap on his favoured polytrack. With a strong pace, Pat was able to get him nicely settled at the back of the field and as his rivals tired entering the home straight, he easily hit the front approaching the final furlong and was always doing enough to hold on over eleven furlongs, the furthest trip he's won over. The four pounds rise should enable him to get into the £43,000 London Mile Final that he won last year and that will be his next target.

Four At Ffos Las

It's a busy Tuesday evening at Ffos Las, with four runners at the Welsh track, although all four would probably be happier if some of the heavy rain showers hit the track. We have two in the fillies sprint, with both Ivors Princess and Madame Kintyre needing to find some form. Ivors Princess made a great start to her three-year-old career, winning her first two starts with ease at Salisbury but was absolutely hammered by the handicapper as she went up a whopping 18lbs. She then lost her confidence when racing in a higher grade and had a setback in the spring which has delayed her return to the track. Hopefully the smaller field will help her gain some confidence but she will probably strip fitter for the outing. Madame Kintyre has had a lot of problems since denied by a short-head at Windsor in June and although well handicapped, she has completely lost her way. Hopefully the small field will also help her gain some confidence as if returning to form she could certainly go very close but we will be happy if she just gets involved. Sweet Alabama went off too hard in first-time blinkers when fourth at Leicester, having looked likely to win entering the final furlong, which showed she's certainly capable of winning a race. She hasn't repeated the form on two subsequent starts and would prefer some rain today but off a light weight, she's capable of placing at least. Gaelic Ice has been in good form since the hood was applied, having a troubled run when second at Windsor and then got stuck a little wide when third stepped up to twelve furlongs at Ffos Las last time. Dropped into a weak 0-55 handicap, she should go very close and hopefully she gets off the mark as we could do with a winner, as we have found ourselves on the cold list, despite most of the horses running well recently.

Progressive three-year-old Astrum runs on the AW at Lingfield on Wednesday and although we would prefer turf, there are only eight runners and hopefully the weather isn't quite as hot as it will help reduce the kickback, which is particularly bad in the summer. As long as he handles the AW, he should go very close as it doesn't look the strongest of races and he was unlucky not to get his third win of the season when second at Pontefract last time as he was left with too much to do, having been hampered at the start. We also have Into The Wind at Sandown in the evening, the obvious question mark against her is the rise in grade as she is at her most competitive when racing at Class 6 level. However, she is progressing with age and her chance would be greatly increased if the thunderstorms hit Sandown as she loves soft ground. She had too much ground to make up last time and is better in smaller fields so she certainly won't be disgraced.

Dovils Unlucky In Third?

Dovils Duel was by far our best two-year-old in March and we were confident of a big run on his debut in the Brocklesby at Doncaster and while fifth of twelve wasn't a disaster, he showed signs of temperament. He didn't progress when beaten at Kempton next time and was quickly gelded. Although this didn't see an instant change on the track, his behaviour at home has been much improved in recent weeks and first-time cheekpieces seemed to inspire an improved effort when flying at the finish to take third at Lingfield on Saturday evening. Drawn in stall one, well away from the favoured stands rail, he was dropped in and had plenty of ground to make up with two furlongs to run. He wasn't helped by having to be switched for his run inside the final furlong but he stayed on impressively and in another fifty yards he would have been in front. Hopefully he improves from this better run as off a mark of 60, he could well progress up the nursery ranks.

We had a big outsider in the Super Sprint as Urban Dreamer was sent off at 100/1 and we weren't that hopeful as he had been disappointing on his most recent starts. However, he travelled extremely well in one of the fastest five furlong races run for two-year-olds and was staying on for minor prize money when hampered inside the final furlong, extremely frustrating for his owners. However, twelfth of twenty four was a pretty good effort and hopefully we can find a suitable race for him before long.

Chance Of A Friday Winner?

It's a relatively busy weekend with four runners and our best chance of getting a winner is Friday, with both Shavansky and Icebuster having good chances in handicaps. Although he was only eleventh in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock, it wasn't a bad effort from Icebuster considering he was stuck wide off a very slow pace and was only beaten six and a half lengths. That was an extremely competitive eighteen runner £100,000 handicap and dropped in grade at Newbury, he should go very close. The drop back to ten furlongs should enable a stronger pace and with only nine runners, he shouldn't have too much ground to make if he makes his customary slow start. He's ten pounds higher since the start of the season but his most recent efforts show he's still capable of winning off his current mark. Veteran Shavansky has had excuses on his last three outings, no clear run at Haydock and slowly-run races were no good to him the last twice. He's dropped to a mark of 85, allowing him to drop back into a 0-85 handicap and with only six runners, some potential front runners in opposition, he should go very well as long as he lets himself down on the firm ground.

On Saturday Urban Dreamer goes in the £250,000 Weatherbys Super Sprint, a race we won with Lord Kintyre back in 1997. Urban Dreamer isn't in that class and did disappoint last Saturday at Chester. However, if he returns to his best form, he could sneak some minor prize money. While Dovils Duel bids to take advantage off bottom weight in the nursery at Lingfield. He has been very disappointing so far and hung across the track last time out at Haydock but he seemed to work quite well in cheekpieces at home, perhaps this could be the key as he certainly has the ability to win races off his current mark.

Long Priced Places

We could do with a winner but our two runners so far this week have run well at big odds. Isis Blue ran up to his best finishing third at 20/1 in first time cheekpieces at Kempton on Tuesday evening. He wasn't suited by the steady early pace but still stayed on well inside the final two furlongs, finishing three lengths behind the highly regarded Pomology, trained by John Gosden.

On Wednesday, Winnie Perry returned to form by finishing second at 16/1 at Lingfield, confirming his appreciation for an AW surface. He is well handicapped and is certainly capable of winning a similar event in the future.

Isis Blue Back On AW

Things haven't gone quite as well as expected for Isis Blue this season, although an impressive victory at Salisbury in May showed how good he actually is when things fall right. He's had excuses on his last two starts, it was very difficult to make up ground when fifth at Sandown and he saw too much daylight and probably failed to stay twelve furlongs at Salisbury last time. He returns to the AW at Kempton this evening, a surface that suits and has first-time cheekpieces to try and get a bit more out of him and if running up to his best, he has strong each-way claims this evening.

Having made a promising seasonal return when fifth at Wolverhampton, things haven't gone so well on the turf for Winnie Perry this season, his best effort a length third of three at Warwick, He has dropped nine pounds since that Wolverhampton return and back on the AW at Lingfield on Wednesday might just see a return to form in a weak looking Class 6 event. He certainly has the ability to win a small race.

Shahdaroba Second At Chepstow

Shahdaroba picked up some nice prize money (£3,600) when finishing second in a £19,000 81-100 Handicap at Chepstow on Friday, his first start over a mile. While it certainly wasn't a strong contest for the grade and just five runners, it was a solid effort over the new trip. Although his stamina wasn't tested as he dictated a steady pace, it was pleasing to see him stay on again inside the final hundred yards to suggest that he's worth preserving over a mile in the future. Unfortunately the handicapper has put him back up two pounds to 94, which won't make life easy in more competitive events.

After disappointing at Royal Ascot, Master Carpenter ran much better in the July Stakes, finishing eighth but only beaten five and a half lengths. He appeared to run to a slightly higher level of form than previously (RPR87 compared to previous best of 84) and while he's a useful two-year-old, he just isn't quite as good as we hoped. We will now lower our sights a little, with the valuable Sales races rather than pattern races, his new targets.

Lots Of Recent Places

It has been a few weeks since a news update and although we would like some more winners, the horses have been running well in recent weeks. It was a very narrow defeat for Gladiatrix when she was denied by a short head at Newmarket on Friday evening, with the rejuvenated Tax Free taking advantage of a reduced handicap mark but Gladiatrix posted a career best effort in the process so we can't be disappointed. She had been unlucky on her two previous starts, a bad draw at Sandown costing her victory when third and then got badly hampered at Salisbury next time out. Another homebred filly to be busy is Gaelic Ice who has posted solid second and thirds at Windsor and Ffos Las in the last ten days.

We took two of the Links Partnership's horses to Haydock earlier in the month and both Astrum and Icebuster ran good races, both finishing second to useful horses. Astrum was unlucky not to go one better when second again at Pontefract on Monday, unfortunately he got hampered at the start and was too far behind to catch the winner. His attitude has been brilliant this year and he has improved with every start.

Unfortunately we did endure disappointment at Royal Ascot as Master Carpenter was only fourteenth in the Chesham Stakes. It wasn't ideal for him to make the running on Ascot's straight track and perhaps he may benefit from dropping back to six furlongs but no obvious excuse has come to light and we will just ignore that effort and he will be out again shortly.

Another Kempton Success For Wyndham

After finishing fourth at Kempton seven days previously, we were hopeful Wyndham Wave would go close in an apprentice handicap at his favourite track last Wednesday. He got a strong pace to chase and Pat slotted him nicely in behind the leaders. As a gap appeared at the intersection, Wyndham quickened nicely and battled on gamely in the first time hood and cheekpieces to land a third career success. It was also a welcome winner for Pat, his second since turning apprentice and his eighth in all. Without a penalty and racing off a one pound lower mark, our hand was forced to go to Ffos Las five days later but he only finished fifth, perhaps the race came too soon or he is just an AW specialist.

Fanrouge Makes Winning Stable Debut

A new addition to the yard, the Chris Scott owned Fanrouge, made a winning debut for the stable at Warwick on the 17th June. The Red Club four-year-old filly had seemed a Bath specialist with four win there but showed she could win elsewhere when staying on strongly from the back of the field to land a competitive fillies handicap. Things haven't gone her way since, rain on watered ground was unsuitable when fourth at Leicester and the race probably came too soon when only sixth at Pontefract on Monday. She's a well bred filly and the aim will be to try and secure some black-type this season as she will make a lovely broodmare.

Cheveley Park Acquires Half Share In Master Carpenter

We are pleased to announce that Cheveley Park have acquired a fifty per cent share in our exciting two-year Master Carpenter. The Mastercraftsman colt, winner of two of his three starts, his most recent success coming in a £15,000 Conditions race at Pontefract, will head to Royal Ascot for the Chesham Stakes. He goes there with a live chance as the step up to seven furlongs should suit according to his pedigree and hopefully he can continue to progress through the ranks.

Chris Richardson, Cheveley Parks Stud's managing director, said "Mr and Mrs David Thompson are delighted to have acquired an interest in the progressive two year old colt, Master Carpenter, trained by Rod Millman, who will continue to race in the colours of The Links Partnership."

It is a major boost for the yard to attract such an important owner and with Master Carpenter our best ever chance of a winner at the Royal meeting, it's an exciting summer ahead for the stable.

Gladiatrix Bids To Get Back On Track

After a week of no runners, it's nice to be back on the racecourse at Sandown this evening with two runners, both have chances but high draws on the sprint course makes life hard.

Gladiatrix made a surprise winning return at Southwell, showing enough speed to avoid the kickback at Southwell and we hoped for big things this season. However, she hasn't progressed as hoped, been intimidated in a competitive sprint at Windsor before a disappointing third on the polytrack at Kempton a month ago. She was always a bit hesitant last season and blinkers were going to be used before the penny dropped in the autumn. However, now she is running in more competitive events, we feel the blinkers could help her concentrate on the job in hand and hopefully it will see a return to form. Unfortunately a wide draw in thirteen (now ten of twelve with non-runners) against such experienced sprinters makes life hard, although at least she should get a clear run on the outside and we would be happy if she was in the prize money.

Urban Dreamer runs in the opener and once again he has a bad draw, something that probably denied him victory when he had to come across from a wide draw to grab the favoured stands rail at Lingfield. He only got caught yards from the line and holds the Mick Channon trained Sartori on that form. We then stepped him up to the National Stakes at Sandown last week and although last of five, he wasn't disgraced and ran up to form and should enjoy dropping back in grade tonight. He has the form in the book to win but there are some interesting newcomers from the Hannon/Jarvis yards and stall nine won't be easy to overcome. Hopefully he won't need to but may make a quick reappearance at Bath on Friday.

Isis Blue Finally Fulfils Potential

We had high hopes that Isis Blue was going to be a progressive three-year-old this season but things hadn't quite gone to plan this year. He was unlucky when second on his return at Kempton, getting hampered at a crucial stage but ran far too keenly when disappointing on his next two outings. We dropped him right out at Warwick to get him to relax and although he was left with too much to do, it was a step in the right direction as he stayed on well for third. Stepped up to ten furlongs at Salisbury on Thursday evening, he settled well off the strong early pace and as he gradually made his way into contention, he soon put the race to bed when asked to quicken inside the final two furlongs. It was an impressive success and although the handicapper has raised him to 75, we hope he can progress through the grades this season.

One filly that has improved this season is Poetic Verse but a four-timer proved beyond her at Sandown. Stepped up to fourteen furlongs but more importantly up in grade, she stayed on steadily to claim fourth place and it looks as if the handicapper may have got hold of her for now. She has gone up twenty three pounds since winning at Southwell in February and while she has a fantastic attitude, she lacks the scope of some of her rivals and life won't be easy this summer.

Third Success In Valuable Pontefract Conditions Event

After getting outpaced in a competitive five furlong conditions event at Ascot, we were confident the stiff six furlongs at Pontefract would suit Master Carpenter and he'd make it a successful 560 mile round trip to the Yorkshire course. The £15,000 Conditions event is a race we like to target with our best two-year-olds, having had three representative in the event, winning it in 2003 with Cop Hill Lad (later runner-up in the Super Sprint) and 2009 with Roi De Vitesse (runner-up in Group 2 Superlative Stakes) while Glenmuir was second in 2005. With Master Carpenter's running style and breeding suggesting he was only going to improve stepped up in trip, we were slightly surprised that the Richard Hannon trained Malachim Mist was such a hot favourite, as both had showed a similar level of form and he'd already had a run over six. Although the fact that Richard Hughes highlighted him in his Racing Post column certainly gave confidence to his many supporters. However, those that kept the faith with the smaller yard were rewarded with an 11/4 winner as Master Carpenter won a shade comfortably, always doing enough to win by a length and three quarters.

Master Carpenter's next target will be the Chesham at Royal Ascot and he fully deserves to take his chance at the Royal meeting. Andrea suggested that he needs seven furlongs already and as the Chesham is restricted to two-year-olds whose sire have won over ten furlongs or more. This means it's by far the weakest two-year-old race at the meeting, as most early two-year-olds are ineligible for the contest and we're hopeful of a big run.

Improved Hurdles Third For Annabelle

Despite schooling well at home, Princess Anabelle had jumped very slowly and deliberately when disappointing on her first two hurdle outings at Newton Abbot. We decided to put some blinkers on her and with new jockey Mark Quinlan gaining some confidence on her by schooling at the yard, she posted a much improved effort when third on Monday. Ridden handily, she jumped much better and travelled strongly in the blinkers before she was headed three out. She stayed on determinedly and was only beaten nine lengths and ran up to her solid bumper form. The handicapper has rated her 96 which is high enough, so we may keep her to Mares Novices for the time being.

Icebuster hasn't had much luck this season and he got no run whatsoever at Windsor on Monday evening. He settled quite nicely in the early stages off a steady pace but the field were still well bunched entering the home straight and he saw no daylight up the inside until it was too late. He stayed on well for fourth and confirmed he's in rude health and he can win races off 86.

Three Meets On Monday

It's a very busy Monday for the yard with three runners at three meetings, unsurprisingly Dad has chosen to go to Newton Abbot, nice and close to home!

The best chance would be Icebuster at Windsor who steps back up to twelve furlongs, having been outpaced throughout dropped back to nine at Newmarket last time out. He isn't an easy horse to win with, as slow starts mean he needs a strong pace to be seen at his best and that might not be guaranteed tomorrow. Tom Queally takes the ride and if he can be ridden prominently, without been chased up off a slow pace, he should go quite well with just nine runners. The handicapper put him up six pounds for his Haydock success so he needs to keep improving and Proofreader will be difficult to beat, as he looked a very well handicapped individual when meeting all sorts of trouble at Chester last time. However, lets hope he continues his good run of form and picks up some more prize money.

At Leicester, Winnie Perry needs to get his confidence back after losing his action at Bath last time out. The race may be too competitive but hopefully he has a trouble free run. A similar comment applies to Princess Anabelle who hasn't jumped well on her first two hurdle outings, having made a very bad mistake at the first on her debut. She has schooled under Mark Quinlan at home and jumps really well, so hopefully she at least gets involved today. Although the step up in trip should suit and she was only two lengths behind one of the favourites Garryleigh in a bumper at Taunton, so has the ability to run well.

Shahdaroba Hampered At Newmarket

It was a wasted trip up to Newmarket on Saturday, as in a very rough race Shahdaroba got bumped about and lost his action quite badly going into the dip. Andrea eased him down in case their was a problem but he seems fine after the race. He needs a fast run race and ease in the ground to be seen at his best but a mark of 94 makes life very hard and we're not too sure where he heads next.

Duel Returns After Gelding Op

Dovils Duel was by far our sharpest two-year-old back in March but he proved very disappointing in two runs on the track. Although the ground may have been too soft at Doncaster when fifth in the Brocklesby, he was very badly behaved in the preliminaries. At Kempton, he behaved better but produced an average effort, dropping away in the home straight. In his defence, he had the outside stall and was always stuck wide and it was a competitive maiden. However, we felt that he was clearly not performing as he should and decided to have him gelded, in the hope he will start concentrating on the job in hand. He returns to the track at Bath on Wednesday evening and we have lowered our sights by dropping him into a Class 6 Maiden Auction Stakes and it doesn't look the most competitive of events on paper. The other two-year-olds have caught him up at home but he should still be capable of going close in an ordinary race.

Dance has performed creditably in her bumpers, finishing placed on her last three starts. She makes her flat debut at Salisbury in a strong looking fillies maiden. The drop back to ten furlongs should suit but she would need to improve plenty on her bumper form to get involved. However, she should make a nice handicap prospect in time.

Unlucky Defeats For Two-Year-Olds

It was a slightly frustrating Saturday as both our two-year-old representatives were unlucky as Urban Dreamer and Seaham were second and third respectively. After his no show at Bath, Urban Dreamer showed much improved form when runner-up at Chepstow and probably improved again when second in a Bonus Maiden at Lingfield. He looked set to win entering the final furlong before been collared by Cool Bahamian, an Eve-Johnson Houghton newcomer, well inside the final furlong. Stall two, with the stands side rail such a big advantage and the ease in the ground, probably cost him victory and it shouldn't be long before he's off the mark.

Like Urban Dreamer, Seaham was very disappointing on his debut at Newbury, although in his defence that race was extremely competitive and he ended up racing on the much slower ground on the stands side. He was still green in the early stages at Warwick, which meant Andrea wasn't able to take the gap up the favoured stands rail as they entered the home straight. Unfortunately that gap had closed by the time Seaham had reached top gear and he had to be switched around his rivals. He was only beaten three quarters of a length in third and he should improve again for that experience and he's certainly capable of winning some nice races this season.

Busy Bank Holiday Ends With A Winner

We had a very busy Bank Holiday Monday with six runners at four meetings and most ran with credit before Astrum won the finale at Warwick. The Haafhd gelding has turned the corner as a three-year-old and this was his second success of the season, both at Warwick and he looks set to progress again as he wasn't given a hard time by Andrea and still won by a length and three quarters. His previous Nottingham third, where he ended up poorly placed, has worked out extremely well and hopefully he can get win number three in the coming weeks.

Pat had a good ride on yard veteran Shavansky and the pair didn't quite get up when losing out by a neck in a London Mile Qualifier at Kempton. Once again the £43,000 Final which he won last year will be his main aim this season. Isis Blue returned to form when third at Warwick, having disappointed on his two previous starts where he raced too keenly, so we decided to drop him out the back and made sure he settled in the early stages. While, he ran his race much more professionally, the first two raced prominently and he just had too much ground to make up but it was a step in the right direction.

Although she finished third, it was a slightly disappointing effort from Gladiatrix in the fillies handicap at Kempton. She didn't really pick up in the closing stages and it may be that six furlongs stretches her stamina but she needs to improve again before we target some Listed races. At Bath, Blue Anchor Bay was fourth in a maiden, he would have finished closer if he wasn't hampered by the third.

Two Fourths On A Big Day

Neither Icebuster nor Shahdaroba were disgraced when finishing fourth in two competitive handicaps at Newmarket on 2000 Guineas day. Icebuster found nine furlongs too sharp and got going all too late but showed he can be competitive of his new mark of 86. He will have a short break as he has been very busy. The seven pound rise Shahdaroba got for his success at the Craven meeting slightly anchored him but he was never far away and was hampered in the final furlong so could have finished closer. He will go back to Newmarket on the 18th May for a £45,000 sprint and he shouldn't be far away once again, especially if there is some ease in the ground.

Icebuster And Shahdaroba At Newmarket On 2000 Guineas Day

It's great that the yard is doubly represented at Newmarket on 2000 Guineas day and hopefully both Icebuster and Shahdaroba will put up good shows, despite the handicapper making life much harder after recent wins.

Icebuster thoroughly deserved his head victory at Haydock last weekend after his narrow Kempton defeats, although its debatable whether he deserved a six pound rise. He's dropping back in trip once again to nine furlongs and with a few front runners tomorrow, he should get the strong pace he needs. Although he stays further, the straight track is ideal for Icebuster as even if he's slow to stride and at the back of the field, without a bend, he shouldn't be too far off the pace. He also likes to have space at the end of his races, which he should be able to get tomorrow and there is certainly plenty in his favour. It doesn't look the most competitive of races for £45,000, with only Danchai, Rye House and Whispering Warrior unexposed enough to be much better than their current mark. The first two are making their seasonal return and probably want further, while the Simcock horse has won some very weak AW races in the context of this handicap and needs to improve. With Icebuster in very good form at the moment, hopefully he can pick up some of the decent prize money that's on offer.

After a slightly disappointing fourth on his return at Doncaster, we felt that a mark of 87 could be on the high side for Shahdaroba but he proved us wrong when winning at Newmarket's Craven meeting. It was a slightly strange sprint in that few got involved and he ended up winning quite comfortably. The handicapper stuck him up seven pounds for his course and distance win and has ended up with top weight tomorrow, giving at least five pounds or more to the rest of the field. The form of his win hasn't worked out great, with the third and sixth well beaten in a similar race at Sandown, although the eighth did win at Wolverhampton. He faces some unexposed sprinters, such as Secretinthepark and Robot Boy, so it's a very tough ask. However, he surprised the yard when winning last time, so let's hope he does it again!

Dreamer Shows Homework On The Track

It was a busy Thursday evening at Chepstow with three runners and we nearly had another two-year-old winner as Urban Dreamer was narrowly denied by a neck. He was extremely disappointing when last on his debut at Bath, especially as his homework had been pretty promising beforehand. He was much better behaved last night and looked like winning before he was collared by the Hannon trained Hedge End in the final furlong. He was still a bit green and he should have no trouble in winning a maiden in the next few weeks. Ice Tres was a bit too keen in the early stages when fourth in the twelve furlong handicap and her run petered out inside the final furlong but wasn't disgraced. Wyndham Wave was disappointing on his return and will probably drop back to a mile next time.

Creditable Third For Carpenter At Ascot

As expected, five furlongs on drying ground was too sharp a test for Master Carpenter, although the Mastercraftsman colt still put up a solid effort to finish third in a very competitive conditions event. We were slightly surprised that there was no early pace and although he was out in front, he was left a sitting duck when Richard Hughes sprinted past on Anticipating at halfway. It was still pleasing to see him rally again in the final furlong and it confirmed that we have a nice horse. We will now go to Pontefract for a six furlongs conditions event we won with Roi De Vitesse back in 2009 and return to Ascot for the Royal meeting if all goes well.

Carpenter Returns At Ascot

Impressive debut winner Master Carpenter returns to the track tomorrow in an incredibly competitive conditions event at Ascot. Despite been outpaced in the early stages at Leicester, he made good headway two furlongs from home and wasn't asked a question by Andrea Atzeni as he pulled away from his rivals inside the final furlong to win by two and a half lengths. He clocked an excellent time and the form has worked out well, with the third, fifth and seventh all winning next time and the runner-up and fourth were second on their subsequent outings.

His pedigree (related to ten furlong winners) suggests that he will improve as he steps up in trip and his homework confirms that might be the case and he may just find five, especially against some useful sorts, on the sharp side. He was slightly flattered at Leicester as the leaders went off hard in front and the uphill finish on soft ground certainly played into his favour. While he should be fine on quicker ground over a trip, the quick drying nature of Ascot (currently good to soft) won't be ideal and although he should be sharper with the experience of a run, he may just lack the speed to make an impact. There are few suitable opportunities to run maiden winners at this time of year and it will certainly tell us if he has Royal Ascot potential.

It's hard to be too judgemental about the opposition, with three of them winning their only starts and all were impressive in their own way. Both Anticipated and Justice Day clocked good speed figures when winning at Windsor and Newbury, while the Kempton race won by Montagine was a very competitive event. With Far Gaze more exposed but getting a four pound allowance, none of the five can be ruled out and it's easily the most competitive two-year-old race run this season. It's nice to go to Ascot with a fighting chance and as long as he isn't disgraced, we will be happy as we know he's only going to get better the further he goes and he's an exciting horse to have in the yard.

A Head In Icebuster's Favour

After losing out by a head in his two starts at Kempton this year, it was a relief when Icebuster got off the mark, this time by a head, when winning at Haydock on Saturday evening. The Iceman gelding was unlucky on both occasions, with the very steady pace on the AW proving his undoing. We decided to drop him back to ten furlongs, in the hope he would settle better off a stronger early gallop and everything worked out perfectly under replacement rider Danny Tudhope.

The handicapper hasn't been too kind, raising him six pounds to a mark of 86 for this narrow victory and he may make a quick reappearance at Newmarket on Saturday, where he is entered in a £45,000 1m1f Handicap. The straight track will be ideal and with Shahdaroba entered in the three-year-old sprint on the same day, it could be an exciting day for the yard.

Hat-Trick Landed!

Poetic Verse made it three out of three since stepping up to twelve furlongs and recorded her fourth victory of the year at Windsor on Monday evening. The Link's Partnership's homebred filly couldn't be in better form at the moment and ran out an easy two length winner without being asked a serious question by Andrea Atzeni. Hopefully the handicapper won't be too harsh, as the race couldn't have worked out any better for her, with the pace up front far too strong and in such a small field, Andrea had plenty of time to switch her out wide as she made effortless progress inside the final three furlongs. Obviously things are going to get harder in future, as she will be forced into Class Four company and she can't remain in such blistering form forever. Although she has certainly exceeded our expectations so far, hopefully we can sneak in win number five at some point this summer!

Ultimately Monday was still a disappointing day for the yard as both Gladiatrix and Isis Blue ran well below expectations. Gladiatrix had won five of her last six starts but faced by far her toughest test at Windsor and only finished ninth, five lengths behind the winner. She stumbled in the early stages and didn't have a lot of room which may have affected the confidence of a filly that was very hesitant in her early races. Hopefully it won't be long before she's back on the winning trail but we might have to adjust our future plans. Isis Blue was very keen in the early stages which meant he was very awkward going round the bend and his action never really recovered up the homestraight. He was in a competitive event and may benefit from dropping in grade but he is proving quite frustrating at the moment.

Our final runner of the jumps season was Dance and she ran another solid race when third in her final bumper at Taunton on Wednesday. She was a bit keener on her fourth outing and didn't have any more to give when headed entering the final furlong. She will now revert to the flat and will enjoy dropping back in trip. Although we didn't get a win out of our bumper team this season, we did have eight places and Pat certainly gained some valuable experience which he will put into good use this flat season.

Hat-Trick For Poetic Verse?

As usual on a Monday, especially now Windsor is back up and running, we're very busy and have three runners tomorrow. The best chance would be Poetic Verse who runs in the finale at Windsor and this tough filly is going for three victories in a row. Having looked exposed off marks in the low sixties this winter, a step up to twelve furlongs has seen has seen plenty of improvement and she was impressive when winning at Kempton a fortnight ago. She is six pounds higher and eventually the handicapper will get hold of her but is extremely well in herself at the moment and certainly full of confidence. Small fields suit and her turf form over shorter distances was comparable to AW efforts over similar trips so that shouldn't be a problem and she has to go well again.


Meanwhile, if Gladiatrix hadn't gone over the top when third at Bath in October, she could be bidding for a six-timer, having won on her return at Southwell. We were slightly surprised that she won there, as the fibresand surface wouldn't have been ideal and it certainly augurs well for her this season. She is in a sixteen runner sprint at Windsor and it is by far her hardest test yet so it won't be an easy task. Some have suggested that she may be better at five furlongs but her first two wins were over Bath's extended five which is pretty stiff and she's normally doing her best work at the end of her races, so we don't think stepping back up to six will be a problem. She only went up two pounds for that Southwell success and we still feel she's well handicapped so we're hopeful she will go close, especially as we hope she can compete for black-type in Listed company this season.

Our third runner is Isis Blue at Kempton and unlike Gladiatrix, he failed to handle fibresand when a disappointing third nearly three weeks ago. He was slightly unlucky when runner-up on his handicap debut over course and distance in March and off a one pound higher mark, he is another with a solid chance tomorrow. He's a horse we really liked last year but was on the weak side and picked up a few minor problems but still showed some solid form on his first two starts. He has strengthened up nicely over the winter and we feel he's capable of exploiting a mark of 70 and progressing through the handicap ranks. It's a competitive handicap tomorrow and he needs to bounce back from a below par effort but he too shouldn't be far away, hopefully it will be a good day!

However, we didn't have much success on Friday and Saturday with the two-year-olds running well below expectations. Seaham was in a very competitive maiden at Newbury and probably ended up on the slower ground but he didn't look very comfortable at halfway and perhaps he will prefer a sounder surface. Meanwhile, Urban Dreamer got very upset in the stalls at Bath and while he showed plenty of speed, dropped away tamely from halfway. Hopefully both will leave these efforts behind next time. At Nottingham on Saturday, Astrum stayed on well for third and was slightly unlucky, getting shuffled back early on a track which favoured those racing prominently. He showed more resolution than when winning at Warwick and he should keep progressing off his low handicap mark.

Sharper Two Year Olds Make The Track

We already have one decent two-year-old in Master Carpenter and we have two more two-year-olds making their debuts today. Both Seaham and Urban Dreamer would be among our sharper sorts and have showed enough speed and potential at home for us to target them at the £10,000 Racing Post Bonus maidens. However, these races tend to be much more competitive than non-bonus versions and with few of these races so far in 2013, both races are strong on paper.

Seaham is a half-brother to two winners over five and six furlongs

and is Myboycharlie's, a very useful Group 1 sprinting two-year-old, first UK runner (has had winners in Southern Hemisphere and only Irish runner third). This Newbury maiden is traditionally very strong and this year's event has representatives from all the top yards and some expensive purchases so looks no exception. The only runner with experience is Paul Cole's Meritocracy and he finished third in a very competitive maiden at Kempton on Saturday (fourth Vodka Time won at Newmarket Wednesday) so sets a high standard. It certainly won't be an easy task and a mid-division performance is normally good enough to win an ordinary maiden but we're hopeful Seaham will put up a positive performance.

Urban Dreamer faces a field of fifteen rivals at Bath but his race doesn't look quite as strong. Obviously Beau Nash showed a useful level of form on his debut when second to Master Carpenter on his debut and with that form working out so well, he will be hard to beat with the benefit of experience. Urban Dreamer is also by a first season sire in Intense Focus and he is already off the mark with two winners from seven runners, while his dam was a very useful sprint handicapper in Ireland.

 

He shows plenty of speed at home and we're slightly concerned he might not stay a stiff five furlong on soft ground so might prefer it to dry out, although drawn out in stall fifteen, he might be better off if the ground is soft as they will come stands side, giving him a good draw. All in all, it will be very interesting to see how both two-year-olds get on and hopefully they put up a good show and show promise for the future.

 We also have Burnt Fingers in the sprint maiden at Bath and she made a very promising return when third at Leicester two weeks ago. That was over seven furlongs and we're not sure if dropping back in trip is the right thing to do, as there is a mix of speed and stamina in her pedigree. However, the form she showed at Leicester gives her each-way claims in a big field and this filly is likely to progress throughout the season and sure to be winning at some point.

At Wolverhampton last night, Ice Tres ran well on her handicap debut, finishing third in a 56-70 Fillies Handicap. She seemed to prefer a return to more patient tactics, although the slow pace meant it wasn't easy to come from behind. She's handicapped to win if things go her way this summer.

Ice Tres Makes Handicap Debut At Wolverhampton

Ice Tres has shown promise in some of her bumpers and maidens, although hasn't progressed quite as expected and was disappointing on her last two starts so has had a short break. She starts her handicap career off a mark of 56 which is fair and we will revert to more patient tactics which saw better efforts in her bumper at Lingfield and first two Flat maidens. With only seven runners, she won't be too far away even if sat in last place and hopefully she puts up a good show.

£20,000 Newmarket Success For Shahdaroba

Shahdaroba put up a much improved effort to land a £20,000 handicap at Newmarket's Craven meeting on Wednesday and winning a race like that is a massive boost for the yard. Despite being heavily backed, we felt a mark of 87 could leave him vulnerable to some unexposed sorts, especially after only finishing fourth on his seasonal debut at Doncaster so it was a nice surprise. He will now be campaigned in all the top three-year-old sprints, including the £100,000 Coral Sprint Trophy at York in June.



Meanwhile on Monday, Into The Wind made a very promising seasonal return when third at Windsor. As she normally needs a few runs, its augurs well for the future and she looks to have improved again from five to six.
Two-year-old Blue Anchor Bay was only sixth on his debut but should come on for the experience.

First Monday At Windsor

You can tell the turf season is under way when the Monday meetings at Windsor have started and we have two representatives there tomorrow. Blue Anchor Bay makes his debut in the opener and he is bred for speed and should make up into a nice two-year-old. It's isn't easy for us to gauge our two-year-olds at the moment, Master Carpenter slightly surprised us by having enough speed to make a winning debut while Dovils Duel has proved very disappointing in his two starts. Blue Anchor Bay will certainly improve for the experience but we hope he puts up a solid show with only one of his rivals having a run under their belts.

 Into The Wind keeps progressing with age and won two races last season. We feel she has strengthened up again from five to six but normally improves for a run or two and may just need this seasonal return.

Runner Up Spot Again For Icebuster

Once again Icebuster filled the runner-up spot in a slowly run race at Kempton on Thursday evening. Unlike the previous week, he hit the front inside the final two furlongs and looked set to win before being collared yards from the line. He remains in great form but really needs a stronger pace to be seen at his best.

We were slightly worried that the rain would make the ground too soft for Dance at Ludlow but she ran a very solid race from the front, finishing third behind two useful performers. Hopefully we can find a weak mare's event for her final bumper run.

Rare Ludlow Trip

It's not often that we have a runner at Ludlow but as long as they haven't had too much rain, Dance will take her chance in the first division of the bumper. She obviously didn't handle the heavy ground when tailed off on her debut at Warwick but showed much more when runner-up on the AW at Lingfield. It probably wasn't the most competitive of events last time and she needs to improve again today but she receives plenty of weight from her rivals so you couldn't rule out more place money today.

Unfortunately there was no pace in Shavansky's race at Nottingham yesterday but he stayed on solidly for fourth place and is sure to win again at some point this season. Let's hope there is some pace in Icebuster's race tonight, more thoughts on his race in previous news.

Veteran Shavansky Back For Another Year

Shavansky may be the yard's oldest horse still in training, yet off a mark of 87, the nine-year-old is our joint-highest rated horse and remains a classy sort. He is quirky, often slow to stride and needs a strong pace to run at but when things go right, as when successful in last season's London Mile Final at Kempton last year, he's often in the frame. There is plenty in his favour on his seasonal return at Nottingham on Wednesday, he goes well fresh (won first time out in 2009 and 2010) and is two pounds lower than his most recent turf win at Chepstow. The only concern is that old age will eventually catch up with him but with a mile on easy ground his optimum conditions and the yard in such great form, he has to have solid each-way claims.

Once again Icebuster was unlucky not to win when denied by a head at on his return at Kempton last week, the early pace was very steady and he just didn't get going in time. Ideally we'd like to switch him to the turf but the lack of suitable races, combined with the possibility of unsuitable soft ground means we head back to Kempton off the same mark on Thursday. The race is also a qualifier for a £50,000 Final at Kempton in December which could be a possible target for him in the future. Looking through the runners, there isn't many pace setters and quite a few like to be dropped out, so he is unlikely to get his ideal pace scenario once again. However, he is drawn on the outside and although likely to start slowly, with a few rivals likely to be held right up, Andrea might be able to get a mid-division position without chasing him up and making him too keen. Hopefully he gets a bit of luck that has eluded him on the AW so far as he could be a decent handicapper when things fall right.

Third Win For Poetic Verse

The Link's Partnership's homebred filly Poetic Verse has had a terrific 2013 and recorded her third success of the year at Kempton on Monday. She has proved a revelation since stepped up to twelve furlongs and ran out an impressive length and three quarters winner under Ryan Moore. Although she will go up in the weights and be forced back up in grade, she showed a good turn of foot and could well stay further so hopefully she can keep progressing. While she was our fourth winner in eight days and the horses couldn't be in better form, long may it continue.

Poetic Verse Bids For Third Success

Poetic Verse has had a busy and successful winter, getting off the mark at Southwell in February and then showed improved form when stepped up to twelve furlongs to win at Lingfield three weeks ago. Her dam was a dual twelve furlong winner and this filly has clearly benefited from stepping up to the same trip and should give a good account at Kempton on Monday. She has only gone up three pounds for her Lingfield success, actually drops in grade from a 0-75 to 0-65 and the longer straight at Kempton should suit, so there is plenty in her favour. However, she has already had fifteen starts and may be vulnerable to some unexposed sorts that are starting out in handicaps. The Marco Botti trained Autrisk, by Authorised, may improve stepping up three furlongs on his handicap debut and the Queen's Handiwork has already done so, only beaten half a length at Lingfield last week, are such dangers. However, Poetic Verse has shown she's very tough and with Ryan Moore on board, the horses in great form, she should be in the frame at least.

We also have Sweet Alabama in the one mile maiden and she showed she had strengthened up during the winter when third on her return over course and distance. She should continue to progress with experience but faces much stronger competition on her third start and will probably find life easier in handicaps.

Successful Debut For Carpenter

Master Carpenter was an impressive winner on his debut at Leicester on Friday, our third winner of the week and our first two-year-old success of the season. He was also Mastercraftsman's first representative on the track and has got Coolmore Stud's first season sire off to a great start. Although he broke on terms, Master Carpenter was green and outpaced in the early stages, however, he started making progress from the two pole and was easily on top in the final hundred yards. His pedigree, half-sister to a ten-furlong winner while dam also won over ten furlongs, suggests he will improve the further he goes and it looks like we have a smart prospect on our hands. We are a bit limited to where we go from here as no six furlong races for six weeks but the Garter Stakes at Ascot, a race we won with Optimate, likely to be his next target.

On her second start, Burnt Fingers showed she had strengthened up nicely over the winter by finishing third in the fillies maiden. She should keep progressing with experience and shouldn't be long in winning this year.

Carpenter Makes His Debut

Master Carpenter

We have our second two-year-old runner of the season as Master Carpenter makes his debut at Leicester on Friday. His pedigree suggests he may need further, half-sister won over 10f for Henry Cecil while dam also won over 10f but he shows enough speed on the gallops to have a run. His sire, Mastercraftsman (MC is his first runner), was a useful two-year-old and made a winning debut in May so hopefully he's injected some speed into him and it will be interesting to see how he gets on but in all likelihood, he will improve for the experience.

Burnt Fingers makes her seasonal debut in the fillies maiden and she has strengthened up nicely over the winter. She had one run for experience last autumn at Newbury and showed speed before tiring in the soft ground. Her half-brother Coconut Penang was fourth in the Coventry for the yard in 2002 and while this filly is a late developing sort, she should progress with time and experience and we hope we can have some fun with her this year. It doesn't look the strongest of races on paper and it would be nice if she picked up some place money.

While it's certainly back to reality for James as he has a trip to Wolverhampton on Saturday evening with Winnie Perry in the 8.20. Winnie Perry had the three runs at two and ended his season with a third at Bath but the handicapper hasn't taken any chances with his opening mark of 67. There are only seven runners but it's a competitive race and he's the only maiden in the field so it isn't an easy task. However, the horses have started the new season in top form and long may it continue.

Also, Pat had his first winner as a professional when steering Shirataki to success for Peter Hiatt at Lingfield today. Hopefully it will help him get some more rides now the turf season has started and he will be supported by the yard when possible.

Successful Return For Gladiatrix

Gladiatrix

Tuesday was a busy day for the yard, with runners at Southwell and Kempton and we were unlucky not to come away with a double. Last year Gladiatrix racked up a quick four-timer in the autumn and made a very promising seasonal debut when winning at Southwell. We weren't sure she'd enjoy the fibresand at Southwell, especially as she normally gets behind early but Michael Murphy got her out quickly and kept her close enough to the pace to avoid the kickback. Hitting the front inside the final furlong, she just did enough to hold on in a bunch finish to land the valuable £12,000 handicap. She should improve for the run and progress throughout the season.

After his promising seasonal debut, when runner up in a competitive event at Kempton, we were hopeful Isis Blue would go one better on Tuesday. However, he was quite keen early and didn't handle the left hand bend too well before looking awkward up the home straight as he plugged on for third. He's come back home fine and we're hoping he just failed to handle the surface, as he'd beaten the winner at Kempton and he's much better than he showed on Tuesday.

We also had Icebuster at Kempton and he was desperately unlucky not to make a winning return, failing to get up by a head. Once again he was undone by a steady pace on the AW and even in a smaller field, he was unable to make up the ground in time. He's returned in good form and should be much more effective on a galloping turf track.

Astrum Finally Repeats Homework

Astrum

During his two-year-old season, Astrum showed more temperament than ability but had always worked well at home so we were hopeful he'd come good at some point. He's strengthened up nicely this winter and in a modest seven runner contest at Warwick, we were hopeful he'd go close on his seasonal return. He travelled nicely throughout the race and gradually asserted up the home straight to win by three quarters of a length. Hopefully this win has boosted his confidence and he can progress this season.