Monday 26th January

January 26, 2015

It was great to get a win on the board to start this season off which came courtesy of LE ROUQUIN at Kempton on Wednesday. He raced without headgear on this occasion and showed the promise we felt that he had when running well over seven furlongs on soft ground at Newmarket the previous August. He tracked the leaders and made some smooth progress to lead just over two furlongs out. He was shaken up and bounded clear with no danger. It will be interesting to see how the handicapper assess him as it was not a particularly strong race and so hopefully he will not get treated too harshly. We were unlucky to not get a double on the board when HABESHIA went close later on the card. He slightly dwelt when was he was pushed up to chase the leaders and then took keen a hold after two furlongs. He was ridden over two furlongs out and stayed on under pressure to take second inside the final furlong, closing on winner towards the finish. It was another good effort from the horse and we hopefully he will get another chance with him before the February Sales.

On Friday we were slightly disappointed with the effort shown by FASHION LINE in a race that we thought that on the evidence of her last run she would be competitive in. She ran really well on this occasion after an absence off the track. She appeared to be doing all her best work late on here, which gave her no chance of making any impression in the race and probably needs a stiffer test.

Yesterday we were delighted to get another winner on the board by the way of ASTRAL WEEKS. Her owners have been so patient with her and it was particularly nice to see her go in. Stepped up in trip having shown promise on last month´s Wolverhampton debut, she came off the bridle when the tempo quickened at the halfway stage. She had plenty of time to get back into the race and showed a good attitude to get up right on the line. She should continue to progress and is a nicely bred filly who will hopefully come on again for this run.

We have a quiet time of things next week and then on Friday LE ROUQUIN could ma a re-appearance. We will see how he has taken the race and decide if he takes his chance once we have had a good look at the opposition.