A busy Bank Holiday

The Bank Holiday weekend means business as usual at The Bell House. Owner Dudley Thorp came to see his string of four and in particular, watch his new acquisition, Young Victoria, school over the hurdles in our sand school.

Dudley with his horses on our Brand Hill schooling ground, Garafena (left), Cadoudalas, Simply Wings and Young Victoria.

The string, led by Simply Wings, climb the early part of our wood-chip Brand Hill gallops.

Pictured below are Young Victoria (left) and Heathcliff having a post-schooling canter. Both horses are shaping well for the coming season - we have high hopes for Heathcliff when the real mud arrives.

Magnetic Pole on the map again

Magnetic Pole (pictured above right) relaxes in our turn out paddocks after his win at Bangor. He is clearly keeping good company in Rifleman (picture left).

Derek Pugh's Machiavellian gelding sat just off the lead before making his move in the back straight and had to dig deep to repel the sustained challenge of the runner-up Cebonne.

Having tried to last home in a stronger contest over C&D last time, he was entitled to go well again off a 2lb lower mark, especially with the stable in such good form, and in this easier grade the go-for-home tactics prevailed, but only just. His trainer admitted he was not confident and had been leaning towards an alternative engagement at Worcester, but credited his jockey Giles Hawkins for an enterprising ride.

Rifleman and Magnetic Pole out in the sunshine

Rifleman on target

The Pershore Plum Festival Land O'Plums H'cap Chase was the feature race on the Worcester card on Friday 6 August.

This was won by Rifleman, this time ridden by Giles Hawkins.

Richard has been annoyed by some sectors of the press - including 'Timeform' who have labelled this ultra game horse as 'ungenuine'. No horse could have battled harder and he eventually led in the last stride of the race beating recent Market Rasen winner Ballyvesey by a head. This was somewhat ironic for Ballyvesey's trainer Peter Bowen who was also the one time trainer of Rifleman.

John Jackson - one of Rifleman's owners was away and had to cheer him on from a betting shop, but the Devon gang of Mike and Barry Bevan, Tim Sampson and Dave Edmonds were all at Worcester and were there to receive a handsome trophy after the race. Their return journey to Devon was very sweet.

This is Rifleman's third win at Worcester this year and recent form figures of 13121 show what a super fun horse he is.

Rifleman having an afternoon off from his busy summer

July was a relatively busy time for the stable – considering it is the ‘quiet’ time of year. 

Garafena seems much happier back on the flat as she has shown with a fourth at Warwick and a second at Chepstow - both times being ridden to excellent effect by 7lb claimer Nathan Alison.

Back with the jumpers – Rifleman ran his heart out at Newton Abbot but was beaten by a well handicapped rival in Strong Coffee whose form was galvanised by the application of first time blinkers.  Rifleman is only small but has a heart as big as a lion.  His form figures for this season read 1312 – not bad for a horse who certain members of the press label as ‘ungenuine’. 

Magnetic Pole braved the rain at Bangor racing on ground that had been watered and then encountered torrential rain – the going was not ideal.  However, Giles Hawkins gave him a splendid ride to finish third.

The vagaries of the British weather were ably demonstrated the following day when Marked Man ran on Good to Firm ground at Worcester.