FROM IRELAND TO THE UK; FLAT & JUMPS: Yesterday I did a feature for At The Races at my local gym. It involved myself and my trainer Pat McAleese, who is an ex-professional boxer, giving a couple of the girl Apprentices (Sophie Kiloran and Milly Naseb) some tips on how to strengthen up there riding. We combined muscle building and balance exercised.
I have used these techniques over the years and have found that it has transferred well in to my riding so hopefully it will be a big help to the two girls as well. They’re both really good riders and I had a really good laugh with them. Hopefully it will be on next week’s ATR Sunday forum so keep an eye out for it!
DUNDALK HOST FAST TRACK QUALIFIER
It’s only a small field with 4 runners but still a pretty tight race. I’m going for Captain Cat, although the only one without a recent run under his belt he will have been aimed for this and has such a good record on the all-weather. Being a versatile type, I don’t feel the potential small field tactics will bother him as much as the others.
A horse that ran a great race for me in the Cesarwitch last year was Communicator, I also won on him in 2011 (god I’m old!) He’s one of the only horse in the race that doesn’t need a personal best run. I think he’s getting a bit older and wiser and maybe keeping a bit up his sleeve, so I’m pleased to see a visor on him for the first time. On his last run he wore cheekpieces for the first time and they helped to put a disappointing run behind him. He should be up to winning this with a small field going.
At Wolverhampton on Saturday evening, the lightly raced Colourfilly is a horse I’ve been keeping a close eye on, she’s dropped right back in trip now after not staying out the 1m2f. Now having fitness on her side, back running over 7f and at a track that she has ran well at before I think she’s be worth having a little dabble on.
DODGING BULLETS GEARS UP FOR CHELTENHAM
I’m looking forward to seeing Dodging Bullets, who has not been seen since winning last years Queen Mother Champion Chase, at Newbury tomorrow in the Game Spirit Chase. Should be a nice intro/confidence booster and will set him up nicely for Cheltenham 2016!
The big two mile Handicap Hurdle looks like being a really good race as well and, as you’d expect, it looks really competitive. Modus is an interesting one for Paul Nicholls. He’s looked very good in his runs so far and should go well when he gets to Cheltenham.
Barry Geraghty rides a different one for JP McManus that comes over from Ireland and he seems to have a massive shout. The big worry for him is that it’s only 7 days since his last run which, although he won very well, it was on very soft ground and this is a step up.
I mentioned Agrapart a couple of weeks back when he was running in a Grade 1 at Sandown and I think he has a great chance again for Lizzie Kelly. Although it’s another really good race, he doesn’t have that much weight to carry and Lizzie gets to make use of her 5lb claim tomorrow which she couldn’t do in Sandown. The form of that race has worked out nicely as well so fingers crossed that Lizzie can bag another big win.
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