Very Late January Update

The run of second places was ended when Philip Armson teamed with GOLD CLAREMONT to win the staying chase at Fontwell on the last Sunday of the month. There was a little bit of crossing the lucky rabbit’s feet and magpie counting to ensure that after a few dry days and some stiff breeze she would get ground soft enough to excel, but the elements were on our side this time. As with her Fakenham success earlier, she appreciated being ridden as quietly as possible and having a good sight of her fences and was thus pretty comfortable in a slighter higher grade of race than the previous win. The post-race delight was contagious – see below.

Of course, anyone who follows racing for any degree of time knows that the sport is heavily committed to the concept of destiny operating in swings and roundabouts. However, it could have given us a bit more time to get our breath as less than twenty-four hours later, CLONDAW ROBIN fell when a couple of lengths ahead at the last fence at Plumpton. Given how well Robin has been running lately without a win, this was a particularly galling outcome, and unforeseen given how dependable he normally is at the fences. Fortunately, bar a few bumps and bruises, Robin was fine after the race, other than being a bit annoyed, and he could well be back at Plumpton later in February.