HARRY WHITTINGTON BLOG: Harry Whittington, Grade One-winning trainer and ambassador for market-leading betting exchange BETDAQ, provides an update on the yard, including upcoming engagements for Bigmartre and Saint Calvados.
We’ve got a couple of big entries coming up towards the end of next week and I’m really happy with where the horses are at the moment.
Bigmartre (pictured) had a pop over fences the other day and Anemoi schooled over hurdles, they’re both in good form ahead of their targets at Newbury next weekend.
Bigmartre preparing for Newbury next Saturday
Bigmartre will go for the final race on the card on the Saturday, while Anemoi could go for the novice hurdle on the Friday. He also has options at Doncaster and Wetherby, though, so we’ll just be keeping an eye on entries for those races.
As for the conditions at the moment, we’re not too fussed about the lack of rain as Bigmartre wants better ground and the same can be said for Anemoi.
As long as there’s enough rain to make it a safe surface then we’re happy.
Jumbo Davis on the mend
Looking back on the week and Boychick, who ran sixth at Uttoxeter, will have a break now and then possibly reappear on the all-weather in the new year.
He’s not in great form at the moment, so we’ll put him away and get him ready for January.
Jumbo Davis struck into herself badly at Southwell on Tuesday and is now being rested for a couple of weeks.
It was a pretty bad cut, which explains why she didn’t pick up how we hoped she would, and she’s now on box-rest until that heals.
It was a real disappointment as she’s a mare that we like a lot but hopefully that will all be sorted fairly soon and we can crack on over hurdles with her – it’s just one of those unlucky things.
Lalor the standout at Cheltenham
It was a great three days of racing at Cheltenham and Lalor has to be the standout of the whole meeting.
I thought his jumping was very good. He was taking lengths out of the field over his fences and for me he was a big eye-catcher.
Looking at Ludlow and Sedgefield next week
Khage (12.30pm) will run at Ludlow on Monday. He’s had a wind op since his last run and is in good form.
He was running pretty well at Bangor before falling and when Nico [de Boinville] came back in he said he was making a bit of a noise.
He’s done lots of schooling, seems very relaxed and will hopefully run well.
Djin Conti (2.45pm) will also go to Ludlow on Monday. He was a bit disappointing over two miles at Kempton last time out but he’s come out of the race really well and the step up to 2m5f should suit. As long as he can relax and jump nicely I think he’ll go well.
Speedy Cargo (3.20pm) is then set to run at Sedgefield on Tuesday. He surprised me how poorly he jumped the last day. It was very scratchy and he didn’t get into any sort of rhythm.
He wasn’t beaten far despite jumping badly, so if he can improve on that then I think this is a nice opportunity for him.
Saint Calvados to clash with fresh Altior
Looking further ahead and the plan remains for Saint Calvados to take on Altior in the Tingle Creek.
He’s in great condition and all being well we’ll be at Sandown. He came back from Ireland in good order and we’re really looking forward to it.
In terms of preparation, it’s always easier when you’ve not got to be too hard as they’ve already had a run, whereas Altior will be fresh.
HARRY
