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.