Still Knocking On The Door.

Knock Boy again went close without the ultimate success at Folkestone today.  Ridden by Jamie Moore, he was settled in the group behind the leader and jumped well.  He was well in contention coming round the final bend with Jamie trying to produce him as late as possible.  He was cutting the gap on the leader approaching the last but did not put in the good jump he needed and lost a little momentum.  He finished second, beaten 2 and threequarter lengths.

Plumpton encouragement for the future.

Three horses went to Plumpton today, and while none of them won they all gave encouraging displays.  First up was She's Jolly in the mares novices chase.  She jumped well and held her place until the last half mile.  The highly rated odds on favourite pulled away and Jolly eventually finished 3rd.  Although beaten a fair way she showed that she has ability and when she gets a handicap mark she should soon be fighting out finishes.  Stable lass, Shannon Gates, won £25 with Jolly for "Best Turned Out".

Andrew Thornton feeds back after Jolly is 3rd.

Next up was She's Humble.  She had been upped in grade after her win last time and found the pace set by these classier horses too hot to handle on the sticky ground.  She eventually finished a staying on 4th.  If the handicapper drops her back to 95, as he would be entitled to do after this, or Humble attempts a longer distance she could be close to winning again.

She's Humble before racing today.

Humble's website is http://richardyoung020.magix.net

Finally Fifi L'Amour went to post in the gloom for a mares handicap hurdle.  This was her first handicap and she had been given a mark of 95.  She started towards the rear and gradually made progress to be in the leading group down the far side on the final circuit.  She could not go on with the leading three up the home straight, but battled well to hold on to 4th.  A small drop in the weights should see her in the mix at the finish.

Fifi L'Amour in the fading light before her race.

The St.Moritz experience.

The horses and staff are back from their trip to St. Moritz which proved quite an adventure.  Apart from Karen not being too well for the whole time, it was also the coldest February there for some years, with temperatures falling to -30 degrees.  The intended English jockey cried off injured and had to be replaced by one who spoke no English and therefore struggled to understand orders in the prep race, the lorry bringing the horses back had to be put on a train to get down from the mountains as the roads were unfit, and at the channel the sea was too rough for the horses so they came through the tunnel, something only recently allowed.  Calypso Magic finished well down the field in the big race but so did the other English raiders. Despite this a lot of fun was had and the owners seem keen to do it again next year.

St.Moritz update.

Karen and the horses have arrived safely in St.Moritz, where they are now getting used to the cold!  However Karen is more concerned with the altitude sickness that is affecting her at the moment.

Not Knock's day.

Knock Boy picked up some more prize money at Plumpton today when finishing 3rd in a 2 mile novice handicap chase.  Under Richard Johnson he took over the lead approaching the railway bend and seemed to be going easily.  However he could not go on when challenged two out and had to settle for third place.

Snow Bound

Karen has set off with Calypso Magic and Spirit of Xaar to race on the ice (frozen lake) at St. Moritz.  At the time of this posting the temperature there is -6.8 C.  Forecast for later this week is Maximum 0 C minimum -11 C.  Hopefully she has packed her thermals!

Good form continues.

The good form of yesterday continued when Knock Boy finished 2nd at Folkestone today.  Ridden by Charlie Studd he travelled close up behind the leaders for the first circuit.  He lost a little ground when the leaders quickened out of the back straight but he closed up between the last two fences.  He was not able to make an impression on the favourite who went on again to win by 5 lengths.