Sandown Second

Itoldyou showed his potential when finishing second in a class three chase at Sandown (2/2/2013).  Ridden by Tom Cannon he was settled at the rear of the 5 horse field.  He jumped well and made a forward move jumping the railway fences on the final circuit.  He was ridden from the bend as the front three pulled away.  He stayed on up the hill after the last to take second place, 5 lengths behind the winner and favourite.  This was an additional race that opened late to make an all chase card when the hurdles track looked likely to be unfit, as was the case, and Linda and the owners were rewarded with a nice prize of £2772.

Winning Action

Strategic Action, ridden by Robert Havlin, got Linda back to winning ways tonight at Kempton (23/1/2013).  He was jumped out to track the leaders in the mile handicap contest and moved into second place 2 furlongs from home.  He stayed on in a two horse battle to take the lead 75 yards from the line, eventually winning by three quarters of a length, and picked up £1940 for his efforts.  Following yesterday's second with Spirit Of Xaar it has made this a heart warming week for the yard in bitter weather.

Snow close!

Spirit Of Xaar came back to form at Lingfield today (22/1/2013) when finishing 2nd in a one mile handicap.  Luckily the meeting defied the recent snow fall, the track having been cleared, and ridden by Robert Havlin Xaar set off in 4th place and shadowed the leaders throughout.  Turning for home he made his effort between horses and was able to hold off all but the favourite, going down by a neck and securing £600 prize money.

Progress Maintained

Itoldyou continued his chasing progress when finishing second on very testing ground at Lingfield today (15/1/2013).  The race had already cut up to just four runners before the off and this was reduced to three at the second fence.  Itoldyou, under Andrew Thornton, travelled in touch at the rear and was close enough to make a meaningful challenge up the home straight.  He couldn't pass the winner but was able to take second and a prize of over £1100.

Clever Placing

Linda entered Itoldyou in the Grade 1 Wayward Lad Novices Chase at Kempton today and it paid off, as Simonsig frightened off many runners leaving a field of just 5.  Although outclassed in this 2 mile event, Itoldyou was able to jump a clear round and collected £627 for finishing 5th, beaten 73 lengths in his first chase.

Friendly Christmas Rivalry.

Again this year, the Stable Christmas party took the form of a quiz/competition between stable staff and owners.  This year the owners got revenge for last year's defeat that was equally as close.  With good food, plenty to drink and a lot of laughs, the evening was a success and enjoyed by all.

 

 

 

High Profile, Sad Day

Linda had two runners at the final ever Folkestone meeting today.  Her standing and regard as a trainer was emphasised by the fact that she was in high demand by the media.  She was interviewed the day before by the Racing Post and had two paragraphs in today's issue.  Radio Kent interviewed her live on air from the course at 8.20 a.m., then she was interviewed by Meridian Tonight for an item on the evening edition (with She's Humble in the background).  Finally she was whisked away by taxi to do a live interview for Radio 5 Live.

 

 

She still had time to supervise the running of Itoldyou (top) and She's Humble (bottom), who, though unplaced, ran pleasing races.  Plenty of her owners attended this final meeting, a sad day with many happy memories.