NEWS AND RESULTS FOR MAY 2008

THURSDAY 30TH MAY 2008

BLAZE AHEAD WINS AGAIN - THIS TIME AT TOWCESTER!

Courtesy of The Racing Post

This stiff 3m took its toll in this run-of-the-mill handicap chase, as those who made it round were tired at the business end.
BLAZE AHEAD prevailed in a tight finish after looking as if he would win a bit more easily .He tended to doss in front and is probably value for a bit further. He had dropped to a winnable mark on his return to fences following a blow out over hurdles last time and obviously stays very well.

Clare at Newbury on Watership Down

WELL DONE, CLARE!! WINNING AT 16/1 AT FOLKESTONE!

Thursday 15th May 2008

Well, what can I say? Clare manages to get round the Cheltenham fences last week on Watership Down, and was completely at ease with the size of the fences and led for the first circuit. Clare had always wanted to go around Cheltenham and so it was great for her to be able to achieve this particular dream.

Within in a week, Clare is back in the saddle down at Folkestone on Watership Down (aka Shippy), again under rules and again takes up the running and this time she wins at 16/1! (paying £20 on the Tote!)

I can only imagine the jubilant scenes after this win. Clare is probably one of the hardest workers up at Brendan's yard. She has been with him since he practically started training in Morestead, and her dream was to win under rules, preferably on her much loved Shippy, a horse she has owned and trained herself for a few years and a horse she purchased from Brendan.

Clare has won point to points on him but I am sure this particular win will be very very special for Clare and everyone involved.

Well done to everyone connected with Shippy, especially Clare's Mum and Dad, Maureen and Ray who have tirelessy supported their daughter throughout Shippy's career and of course Robin Gray who has always been one of Clare's biggest supporters. I know Brendan and his staff have actively encouraged Clare and given no end of advice whenever needed so I am sure they will all be thrilled to see this first win for Clare under rules.

WELL DONE, CLARE!

Courtesy of The Racing Post:
This was run at a strong pace and produced an unlikely winner in WATERSHIP DOWN, who was unable to go the early gallop but picked up on the final circuit to give his enthusiastic owner/rider a debut success under rules. Five times successful in points, the winner stays well and took advantage when the more prominently-ridden rivals found their exertions telling.

Monday 11th May 2008

Meirig's Dream led up by Clare and Nick

If you have never been to Windsor races on a Monday night when the sun is shining.....

.....I can highly recommend it! Monday evenings are always very popular. This Monday night saw a debut by one of Brendan's 2yo's an extremely good looking colt by Golan called Meirig's Dream owned by Hywell Davies (yes, the very cheeky Welsh ex National Hunt jockey!) and his lovely partner, Vikki Dunn. Meirig's Dream finished a respectable 5th in a fairly hot race and certainly showed enough to indicate he could be one to watch out for in the future.

Meirig's Dream and Richard Quinn

UP ON THE GALLOPS

A glorious morning on Saturday with a few owners up to see their horses working up on the breath taking Lambourn gallops! The wonderful, grey Pic Up Sticks was this lot's lead horse.

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE HORSES FOR SALE PAGE FOR DETAILS OF HORSES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE - INCLUDING FILM QUEEN WHO IS ENTERED TO RUN THIS WEEK AT GREAT LEIGHS!

BRENDAN POWELL SPONSORED RACE FONTWELL FRIDAY 2ND MAY 2008

A great evening was had by all at Fontwell on Friday evening. The owner's of WILD GROUND and their friends were present as their mare was entered in Brendan's sponsored race. It was great to see so may of Brendan's staff able to attend along with Kylie Manser who, as always, managed to entertain everyone without really even trying! Fontwell management had allocated Brendan the Executive Box which had great views over the course from the massive balcony. The weather was glorious, the food was excellent and I am quite sure everyone had a fantastic time. Thanks, Brendan!

ANOTHER GREAT START TO THE MONTH FOR THE YARD !

CAPE GREKO WINS ON HIS DEBUT CHASING AT HUNTINGDON!

AP and Cape Greko being led round by Vicky

OK, before I start on todays news, I have to put my cards on the table. Cape Greko as many of you know, has always been a particular personal favourite of mine. I loved him when he was at Andrew Baldings and I was thrilled when Andrew Christou decided (one day at Sandown) to move Cape Greko to Brendan's yard to go jumping.

Cape Greko is a stunning looking grey gelding who Brendan has always thought, even after his first day of him schooling, that he would be a good, if not a brilliant NH prospect in the making.

Cape Greko needs good ground, hence not much has been seen of him over the winter months. I was thrilled to have been present at the majority of Cape Greko's races and when Andrew Christou said he was unable to make it to Huntingdon today, I was more than happy to go and represent him. It was not only the prospect of seeing Cape Greko going chasing for the first time, but also seeing A.P. McCoy taking the ride. AP had been down to school Cape Greko this week and although he certainly cannot take all the credit, he obviously had a great rapport with him. This was clear when you watched the race today with Cape jumping like a stag over many of the fences. Cape Greko led from early on, and it turned into a "catch me if you can" type of a race. It was a joy to watch and I was thrilled to be able to give the owner, Andrew Christou and his partner, Diane Gartlan an "in race" running commentary as they drove back from Heathrow. This commenced as Cape Greko led over the last 5 fences with A.P. having more than enough time to keep looking over his shoulder to see if there was any horse likely to threaten his lead. There wasn't. It was poetry in motion to watch and a massive thank you to the sponsors and to Huntingdon Racecourse.

A great day, the sun shone in Huntingdon even though it has been raining most of the day in Ascot and en route. Cape Greko looked fantastic (thanks to Louis and Vicky) and even AP was in a great mood. When I apologised for Brendan not being there to give him his instructions (Brendan was being interviewed by Nick Luck) AP quickly replied "don't worry, I don't listen to him anyway!" Brendan caught the tail end of the comment and the usual banter followed. An evenings racing I certainly won't forget in a hurry!

As usual, Brendan made it clear that I was boring him rigid with my endless chatter, whilst at least AP seemed to polite enough to give me a rare smile!

Courtesy of The Racing Post:

This looked an interesting race on paper, but much of the interest was lost when favourite Heathcote departed at the first open ditch, judging his approach all wrong and paying the price.
CAPE GREKO, twice a winner on fast ground last season, jumped well on this switch to fences and, under a positive ride, had his race in safe-keeping some way out. This is his time of year, and he can expect to be kept fairly busy in the coming weeks.