THE stable at Pond House, Nicholashayne, enjoyed two winners last week with Hammer Dan winning at Newton Abbot and Mr Tambourine Man winning again at Uttoxeter on Saturday evening.
Hammer Dan had not shown much in truth on the racecourse so far but we knew from his homework he is more capable than he had shown to date so it was nice our patience finally paid off!
Jack Tudor gave him a lovely ride, held up at the back before moving through the field, and it was nip and tuck down to the last flight of hurdles. I hope this victory will have done his confidence the world of good and there is more to come.
Mr Tambourine won nicely at Uttoxeter, following up from his Worcester win off a six-pound higher mark. He has been thriving in recent weeks and it is good to see him so happy and enjoying his racing again.
He won by seven lengths in the end so I am sure we will be taking another rise in the ratings. Even if he does take a steep rise for the win, then we are still hopefully fairly treated compared to his old rating. There is a race for him coming up at Newton Abbot over hurdles, which he will have an entry in and we may try him back on the flat in a staying handicap, as he hopefully has room for improvement off his flat rating as well!
On Tuesday Ocean Heights ran over hurdles at Stratford and then we had two runners for the David Pipe Racing Club at Worcester on Wednesday, Kintaro and Only Fools. If you joined the David Pipe Racing Club you could be going to the races as an owner! It is just £150 for the year and so email [email protected] for more details.
Chemical Warfare is likely to head to Market Rasen on Friday should he get in. He was a last fence faller at Worcester last time when holding every chance so we are looking to give him a confidence-boosting run back over the smaller obstacles.
There is just one jumps meeting over the entire weekend upcoming and Born in the West is our sole entry at the meeting. Our only other entry at the weekend is another on the flat, Oceanline at Ffos Las in the two mile staying handicap. This will be his first run back since a winter break and he is the type of horse to run well fresh, like he did at Ascot in October. Keep checking the Daily News on the website for all the latest information on the stable runners.