And thanks again for all your kind words and support for my comms - each week it feels a little easier (not sure what my girlfriend thinks lol you can sometimes hear her cooking in the background lol)

That was a great race. Mine was last and i was still enjoying the race! There could still be more to come from Death Rattle, he ran quite wide round the final the bend. But will have to cope 5lb rise in the Melbourne Cup, if he doesn't run til then

Lol I was thinking about what to put in that all morning and forgot to put kudos to the handicapper because that is about is good as it gets for a handicapper, I don't think I've ever seen a race in SO history finish that close with top 5 all separated by a short head back to the other, nice one Martyn! He will probably run I'm in two minds as to whether to go down the G3 road and take on the Henry II Stakes, wait for the Northumberland Plate or go straight to Melbourne right dilemma but I'm leaning towards just running him wherever I can get him in to get as much out of him as poss.

Very pleased with my horses today...

Flat
Race 10 - Play The Game, 2nd off 109 in the 6f Handicap She is a proper horse, and have no doubt she is group class, but for her to perform to her best she needs big fields with a strong pace, which she probably won't get in pattern races.

NH
Race 1 - Bombay Barman, 5th in 3m Novice Chase. Thought he was cruising at the top of the hill. Just didn't quicken off what i thought was a slow pace. He will have a solid chance at the festival in the RSA.

Race 2 - Female Racer, fell when 2nd in Handicap Chase, she was absolutely cantering and in the perfect position. I think she is well in off 122, and Paddy Power could be the next race although i've got Pocket Money as a possible for that as well.

Race 4 - Mrs Stockton, 2nd in 2m Novice Chase, cracking run she was storming up that hill and surely will have a very live chance in the Arkle based on that performance.

Race 5 - Pocket Money, 6th in the Old Roan, really starting to like this horse, his no nonsense style of front running and attacking every fence really puts pressure on everyone's jumping, if we can just find a race with no handy runners then he could be hard to catch.

Race 6 - Pottery Pool, 3rd in the Pertemps, much better run back at a proper trip, just lacked the tactical speed as they turned for home, but never going to trouble the winner.

Race 7 - Royal Blue, 4th in G2 Novice Hurdle, very pleasing run didn't think he was that good, ex-flat horse. 2m 4f is the furthest he will get, and is best on a flat track.

Race 8 - Air Hostess, 3rd in Silver Trophy, a blinding run thought she had it won a furlong out, until she started absolutely treading water drop back to 2m2f 2m3f will be ideal for her, and should still be competitive.

Congrats to all winners/placers.

Really starting to enjoy the NH side, already looking forward to Cheltenham!

haha one of a very few i judged well so far.

Northumberland Plate would be the ultimate goal for me this season, if it weren't for me being the handicapper. Just this week i've started to not enjoy it when my horses are running in flat handicaps, as i don't want to see them win! May just start throwing all mine in Pattern races from now on.

Haha, I know the feeling... I'm the same with the Melbourne Cup to be honest, that is my main goal this season to hopefully get a place there with the serious prize money on offer!

many thanks to all involved excellent comms becoming the norm
1000gns win nice way to sign off

congrats all runners

Your horse ran well Doug but Nick's looks good. Also I guess you both heard 'Thunder ' coming late!


Matt

Well done Steve, great win mate


Matt

Just out of interest - what do you need to do to get a horse qualified for the Melbourne Cup?

Is there any entry process? i presumed it's just your rating that qualifies, probably top 30 rated?

I just watched the race again - your Thunder was finishing nicely with a charmed rails run near the end - a win is not far away!

Yep that'll be the case although not sure if the G1 16 runner rule will apply to the G1 handicaps? Leon/Gray? It'll either be top 30 or top 16 rated that get in

Under Sew ran better than last time in race 1, running like a horse that wants further. There's definitely a staying handicap for him over something between 3,2 - 3,4.

Two Sweet ran well in his handicap debut, again shaping like a horse that wants further, which might be an ongoing motif with a few of my runners. Something like the Becher Chase could be his race.

first winner of the season and onwards to the hennessy Taras Sin stayed on powerfully a decent 3rd as well as a brilliant run from Motown to be 3rd in the best finish so far this season took the lead 2f out or so and gave way last 5o yards gutted and thrilled at same time a poke at the Melbourne cup on the agenda now

thanks to all for putting this league in motion brilliant fun cheers lads