links to previous newsletters & bulletins are at the foot of this page
19th July 2010
Rince Donn
27th Jun: Uttoxeter, 2m handicap hurdle on good to firm, ridden by Hadden Frost: 7th
We were quite happy with this run, even though for a long way he ran as if the result was going to be much better, and there is nothing like surprisingly raised expectations to bring a sudden deflation, although in this case it was more of a slight air leak as they came down the home straight. This is not to suggest that Rince Donn guffed himself out of contention, more that he found the race was slightly needed, even if he came short of a full scale blowing up. A deeper hole of wind references is being dug here, so let's just add that the going was a bit on the quick side as well.
Hail The King
1st Jul: Newbury, 1m 3f apprentices' handicap on good to firm, ridden by Matthew Davies: 6th
Had been retired earlier this year, but it is not for him. However, there were no real hurdle races in the offing that were convenient for him - Fontwell is his preferred location - so he had this run to keep ticking over. He did not spring a shock, but kept tabs on the younger, spritelier oppo a bit better than was expected.
Munich
3rd Jul: Leicester, 1m ½f handicap on good to firm, ridden by Andrea Atzeni: 10th
Like Rince Donn, he found the conditions underfoot too quick, but it was worth taking a chance on a run as the ground on the far side was riding much better and there was a possibility that Munich may get away with it. He did not, no harm done, and ready to fight another day, posssibly on the all weather at Kempton, where we know he will handle the track.
Happy Fleet
6th Jul: Uttoxeter, 2m 4½f handicap hurdle on good to firm, ridden by Hadden Frost: 7th
Lined up ready to, only to find the starter unhappy with one of the horses, and when everyone else was ready next time, Happy Fleet was not, possibly having walked into the back of a rival and nervous of a kick. Hadden reacted with great patience, taking a circuit to gradually erode the twenty lengths lost at the start, and as they turned for home, she was bang in contention. However, the effort told on her first run back, and she dropped away again. The handicapper inconveniently dropped her seven pounds, which is normally what everyone wished for, but in this case greatly harms the chances of making the cut in her sort of races - a convenient division has got her in one at Bangor tomorrow (20th).
Dreamwalk
7th Jul: Worcester, 2m maiden hurdle on good to firm, ridden by Hadden Frost: WON
Got the result we hoped for, but not quite in the way we envisaged it happening. Instead of cruising imperiously into the lead on the run-in, he had to be scrubbed along on the home turn. He did still manage to get in front, and approaching the last seemed to get a second wind that saw off the last of the rivals. Anyone who tuned in just for the last couple of furlongs would think it was a stroll - hopefully the handicapper will watch the whole race!!! Hadden got in a good chat for ATR about losing his claim with this win, only for it to turn out that he still has one to go. Cue a sense of a deja vu for the viewers when it comes.
Maderson Blue
11th Jul: Stratford, 2m ½f novice hurdle on good to firm, ridden by Hadden Frost: 4th
This was his first run in over a year, so we were very pleased with the outcome, as he has come out of it intact. We knew he would come on for the run, but he did everything expected of him, and might have finished second had he not walked through the last hurdle. Of course, tiredness was probably a factor, but fingers crossed that it will be all systems go for him now.
Elegant Olive
18th Jul: Stratford, 2m 3f novice handicap hurdle on good to firm, ridden by Hadden Frost: 3rd (dead heat)
She managed her best result over obstacles, dead heating for third place, only deprived of second by an unholy trinity - needed the race a touch, would have preferred a longer trip and forced into an inconvenient swerve as they bypassed the last hurdle. In fact, leaving the far side of she was seriously threatening to win, but the negatives all caught up with her and foiled that option. She had been withdrawn a week earlier at Worcester due to getting distressed during the journey, and hopefully actually getting a run under her belt will have lessened the nervous energy. And whilst she had a little wobble when he was getting on board, Olive clearly likes Hadden as she did not try to assassinate him in the paddock!
Hadden explains how he offered a game of 'paper, scissors, stone' to Sam Jones (knowing that Sam always goes scissors first), winner gets to be third on their own, but was refused. Our heroine, meanwhile, has spotted the horse that gave her an awkward moment rounding the final obstacle, and decides it is time for a frank exchange of views.
Links to old newsletters
