NEWS AND UPDATES FOR MARCH 2008 - and the yard breaks last years 47 NH wins this month!

Thursday 6th March 2008

DR HART WINS AT LINGFIELD

After a couple of weeks, knocking on the door for a winner, connections were thrilled to see Dr Hart win in an impressive way (12 lengths) at Lingfield today ridden by Mick Fitzgerald.

SATURDAY 8TH MARCH 2008

Courtesy of The Racing Post:

DR HART, a winning pointer, does have a progressive profile, having run well over hurdles initially unde rules, but it would be an exaggeration to suggest he gives SunAlliance hope Oscar Park a Cheltenham boost. He initially moved up between rivals running downhill into the straight but took time to assert. He forged clear into the last to win well but his future depends how the handicapper reacts to this.

BRENDAN HITS 47 WINS FOR THE NH 2007 WHICH EQUALS HIS FINAL TOTAL FOR 2006!

As with most trainers, it is always rewarding to improve you number of winners year on year and Brendan is no exception to this. Today at Chepstow Which Pocket won at 16/1 ridden by Tom Siddall giving Brendan his 47th National Hunt win for the 2007 season and there is still approximately 4 weeks to go.

Well done to the Brendan Powell Racing team and here's hoping that the final total exceeds 50!

The 47th National Hunt win courtesy of WHICH POCKET AT CHEPSTOW!

12th March 2008

HE'S DONE IT!! BRENDAN HAS 48 NH WINS FOR THE 2007 SEASON!

Blaze Ahead blazes ahead and wins at Huntingdon today.

Blaze Ahead

Today marks the day that Brendan and Team Powell broke the 47 barrier to exceed last years number of winners!

Sarah and Wayne Clifford, owners of Blaze Ahead were due to be at The Cheltenham Festival for the whole four days. As Sarah put it, it's her annual holiday and they both enjoy every minute.

This morning they find out that Cheltenham is cancelled due to the high winds so instead they go to Huntingdon (who were also inspecting today) to watch their horse BLAZE AHEAD and blaze ahead he certainly did. Under a positive ride by Dominic Elsworth and shaking off a few challenges en route, Blaze Ahead led them a merry dance. Great news for Wayne and Sarah, especially as they were present to see the win, great news for Dominic, Blaze Ahead and of course everyone at the yard!

Courtesy of The Racing Post:
This was a gutsy front-running performance from BLAZE AHEAD who, despite setting only modest fractions in the early stages, rallied well after the final flight, where he hung right across his two nearest pursuers, to draw away again in the closing stages. He loves it here having now won three and been placed twice on his five starts here and a 9lb higher mark than when winning here in November was not enough to stop him. He's tough and his trainer thinks he's better on a sound surface.
Blazing Ahead has a terrificrecord at Huntingdon having now won three and been placed in the other two of his five starts, and his trainer knows exactly why the Wayne Clifford-owned eight-year-old has done so well.
"He's probably the slowest horse in the yard but he's got the biggest heart and he's so tough and genuine. Fences or hurdles, it makes no difference to him," said Powell.

BRENDAN OPENS HIS DOORS FOR THE LAMBOURN OPEN DAY ON GOOD FRIDAY!

Unfortunately, I was unable to make The Open Day on Good Friday but I have received some excellent reports from people that attended about how friendly his yard was. This was both the horses and the staff! Anyone who attended and has any photos, please send them over to me to post up. My e-mail address is kathyanderson@ukonline.co.uk Many thanks.

MARCH 25TH 2008

SHOREACRES TAKES A BREAK

SHOREACRES AT PLUMPTON

After coming a brilliant 4th at 80/1 in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper race at The Cheltenham Festival, Brendan has decided to put him away for the rest of the season.

"He won't be running again this season - he's had his five runs and I've turned him away now," said the Lambourn trainer.

"He's too good to be risked on ground which will be drying up so he'll probably come back here in July time and we'll look forward to him in novice hurdles later inthe year."