Patience Pays Off With Clonusker.

Three years after his last win Clonusker rewarded the patience of both Linda and his owner, Mr David Yeadon, by winning the 2 and a half mile novices handicap chase at Plumpton today.  Jockey, Tom Garner, had him prominent from the off , and jumping well he travelled in third place for the first circuit and a half.  Going down the back straight for the final time Tom seemed confident that he could pick off the leading two whenever he wanted and he moved into the lead after the open ditch. There was a small battle with the eventual third rounding the bend until the second last fence where Clonusker asserted his authority and then cruised to an easy victory.

Clonusker clear at the last.

This was a great effort considering that it was only his second chase, having suffered an unlucky fall in his previous attempt, 

A Bit Bleak But The Show Must Go On.

Breakfast was very welcome this morning (sausages, bacon, white pudding, scrambled eggs, hot chopped tomatoes, toast, tea/coffee, sponge cake and flapjacks) as it was cold with a damp snow falling outside.  Nevertheless the elements had to be braved as the horses needed to maintain their fitness and progress.

Murky Monday.

What do you do on a very cold, fog shrouded Monday morning? Well you can liven up on the horse walker or have a jolly good roll, buck and kick!

Dinner guest, well breakfast actually!

There was a pleasant surprise for the breakfasters this morning when Karen brought old friend Claude Greenwood to the door to say hello.  She had brought him back from Wolverhampton yesterday evening, where he had been running for another trainer, on the way to returning him to his owner.

In fact Claude has now been retired and given to Frankie (who won on him in her only ride under rules) and her mum to have as a fun horse.

Double thirds.

Itoldyou, with Tom Cannon, going out to race. Itoldyou ran a good race at Plumpton this afternoon.  He jumped really well and looked pleased with himself on finishing.  Tom Cannon jumped him off prominently in the competitive and valuable handicap chase, for which he was fifth in the betting of the seven runners.  One horse quickly set up a five to ten length lead and Itoldyou led the other six runners in pursuit.  They were still chasing down the back straight on the final circuit and Itoldyou closed on the leader going into the station bend.  Into the home straight he couldn't quicken but continued on gamely to hold onto third place about six lengths from the winner to earn a decent third prize for his connections. Discussing the result. Later on the card Clonusker competed in a handicap hurdle.  It started well with Karen winning £50 with him for the "Best Turned Out".  In the race, again ridden by Tom Cannon, he ran prominently in the ever increasing gloom but was unable to dominate as he likes as he would have had to take on another front runner.  He bided his time in second place and looked a real threat entering the home straight. Although he battled on he could find no turn of foot and, like Itoldyou, he had to settle for third place.  He would probably have been better suited by even more testing conditions. Clonusker at Plumpton today.

First step on the way.

Moneystown and Pippa The Dancer both had their racecourse introduction at Fontwell yesterday, in the same race.  Both will improve for the experience, but they showed enough in the testing ground to be optimistic.

Moneystown

Pippa clean before.

Pippa mud spattered after.

Saturday celebration.

This morning there was a breakfast gathering to celebrate Kayflin's win.  There was smoked salmon, champagne and a special cake.

Everyone admired the trophy and wanted to be photographed with Kayflin, who took it all in her stride.