We had a good handful of winners last week, with Presentandcounting, Finisk River and Autumn Return all scoring.
Presentandcounting absolutely annihilated them, and the race had been his main target all summer, so we were delighted with that. He’s been very cleverly placed all season and he could head to Cheltenham for the Showcase meeting next.
Autumn Return beat a good filly of Milton Harris’ and there was no fluke about it. It was a good even gallop and my filly jumped and travelled really nicely on what was her debut over hurdles. She can only improve from here and I’d like to think she could end up having a go at some black type in time, but it’s hard to tell so early on in her career.
As for Finisk River, Worcester suited him well as a more galloping track as he’s a big horse. He bolted up in the end and I wasn’t surprised to see him win the way he did.
Geromino kept on running well and won for the fifth time this year on Wednesday. Those five wins have come at all sorts of different tracks and trips, and every time he’s turned up and performed. He’s been very well-placed by Donald [McCain] and I’m delighted we have him.
Three at Hexham on Friday
On paper, all three of my rides have good chances.
I don’t know a great deal about Wotsmyname (3:00 pm), but she ran okay over course and distance last time and has eased a couple of pounds in the handicap too.
Minella Plus (4:10 pm) had a very productive year last year, winning three and being placed in his other three starts, and he had a nice introduction run over 2m4f at Uttoxeter a few weeks back which he should take a step forward from. He’s been schooling well at home and my only query about this race for him is the track, as his better runs have come at Flat tracks like Catterick at Musselburgh.
I’d like to think Abingdon Park (4:45 pm) has a solid chance off the back of his second over course and distance on the last day. This will be his third start over fences too, so hopefully, he’s learning with each run.
Four at Kelso on Sunday
I kick things off with Onward Route (1:25 pm).
He was a very short price on his chasing debut the last day and just threw away his chance of winning with a really bad blunder. He hasn’t been able to jump fences at home as much as Rebecca [Menzies] might have liked him to as the ground has been so quick, so he’s back over hurdles here and I think he’s still got a good chance off his mark of 115.
The Vollan (2:35 pm) has the experience and fitness on his side in his race and Laura’s [Morgan] are in great form. If the other two in there are a bit short of fitness or novicey at their fences then he could capitalise on that.
I’m looking forward to getting back on Malystic (3:12 pm). He’s a horse the yard has always liked and they just felt he was never really himself last year and I don’t think we saw the best of him.
Peter Niven was saying the horse was under a bit of a cloud last year, but when I went and saw him the other day he looked a million dollars. He’s been schooling well and I’d like to think he starts here off a winnable mark, though you’d imagine he’ll come on for the run too.
Raddle And Hum (4:20 pm) is my final ride of the day and he could be my best. She won well on the last day around Perth and jumps and stays really well. She remains in good form, is fit and I’m expecting her to run another big race.
