Kingscombe Makes It Four.

Kingscombe completed a four timer today (1/4/2014) at Southwell.  Carrying top weight, under Robert Havlin, he took 4th position of the five runners, just behind the leaders, as the field set off up the straight for the first time.  He held this position down the back straight until two of the field fell away, leaving three to battle it out.  Coming off the bend into the final straight he was a length behind the second favourite who was 14 pounds better off than when they met last time.  The change in the weights made no difference, however, and Kingscombe kept on strongly up the straight to go on and win by 3 and three quarter lengths, with a further 20 lengths back to third.  So Linda's great form continues with this win making it 8 for the year so far.

Andrew Nose What He's Doing!

Andrew Thornton took the ride on Itoldyou this time at Fontwell (15/3/2014) in a 3 and a quarter mile handicap chase.  Although there were only four runners the betting was tight and Itoldyou and West Cork Flash vied for favouritism at about 6/4.  West Court Flash had been runner up to Itoldyou last time out , but this time Itoldyou was 6 pounds worse off at the weights and the race was half a mile further on better ground.  Andrew settled Itoldyou at the rear of the field and let him enjoy lobbing round in this position.  He jumped well and going out on the final circuit he took second place three lengths behind West Cork Flash who had set the pace.  Itoldyou jumped 4 out so well that Andrew found himself almost upsides the leader a little too early.  He eased back and at the same time Jamie Moore, on West Cork Flash, kicked on and a gap appeared again.  Andrew needed to ask Itoldyou to quicken to take closer order.  At the last fence West Cork Flash had only a tiny lead and Itoldyou soon went in front.  However West Cork Flash renewed his effort in a classic battle for the line and they crossed the line locked together and a photograph was called for.  There was an anxious wait until the result was announced, with the photo showing that Itoldyou had held on by a nose.

Hat Trick Hero.

Kingscombe completed a hat trick today (12/3/2014) at Southwell when winning a 1 mile 6 furlong handicap, on his beloved fibresand surface.  Up against the horse he had beaten last time, but six pounds worse off for the neck he had won by, the betting suggested that the outcome would be reversed.  Rab Havlin jumped him out to take a position just behind, and to the outside of, one of the outsiders who led.  The pace was nothing more than steady and the four runners were still in a bunch turning for home.  Here Rab asked Kingscombe to go on and take the lead, which he did pursued by his rival from the previous time.  Despite the turn round in the weights Kingscombe would not give up the lead and went on to win more easily this time by 1 and a quarter lengths.

Sunshine Schooling

It was a beautiful sunny morning at the yard today and some of the horses were schooled over hurdles on the all weather gallop.

 



Southwell Success

Linda continued her excellent run when Kingscombe returned to Southwell this afternoon, the scene of his recent win.  This time he was facing an extra two furlongs, and under Seb Sanders he broke well and was soon in the lead, out of the kick-back,  setting a sensible pace.  He still led turning into the home straight and soon shook off all but one challenger. He was headed by this horse a furlong out but, as he did last time he ran there, he rallied to get back up by the line, winning by a neck with a further five lengths back to third.

Double Delight

Linda created a little bit of history at Fontwell (23/2/2014) when she achieved her first ever double on one card, and in both cases it was the yellow and green silks carried by the two Valence Racing syndicates that crossed the line in first place. 
Itoldyou (Valence Racing Too) ran in a 2 mile 6 furlong handicap chase ridden by Tom Cannon.  He was dropped in at the back early and apart from an untidy leap at the third fence he jumped well.  He was moved up going out on the final circuit and pursued the long time leader who was well clear and looked the likely winner.  However Itoldyou enjoys being held up for a strong finish and his proven stamina in the testing ground saw him make inroads on the leader rounding the bottom turn and by the last fence he was upsides.  Another great jump put him into the lead and he quickly pulled clear to record a well earned victory, much to the delight of his connections.

 





 

Later in the afternoon Clonusker (Valence Racing) ran in a handicap hurdle over 2 miles 2 and a half furlongs.  He had gone up a stone following his Plumpton  victory in January and the extra couple of furlongs to be tackled was a concern.  Clonusker needs to run in a totally different way to Itoldyou and jockey Gerard Tumelty got it just right.  Clonusker was ridden prominently and went into a clear lead on the back straight of the final circuit.  He was allowed a small breather going into the final bend then went 6 lengths clear entering the home straight   A tired jump at the last sent out worrying signals as those extra couple of furlongs began to take their toll.  However he rallied and ran on in the final 50 metres as the chasing horse closed in. 

 

 

King Of The Sands

Kingscombe won for the third time on the fibresand at Southwell today (18/2/2014).  Ridden by Robert Havlin, he tucked into the middle of the seven runner field early on.  He was niggled round the first bend and moved to the outside, avoiding the kickback, in fifth place.  He was only a length down entering the final bend and entered the straight as one of four with a chance.  He took the lead a furlong and a half out but seemed to be headed as they passed the one pole.  He battled back to the lead and looked strong at the line, winning at odds of 14/1.