The week that was 20th-26th January 2018

I mentioned last week in my first blog that Jenkins had begun to make moves to make me eat my words - well if that was the starter then this was the main course as he not only won again but did so carrying 8lbs more in weight. I have to give credit where its due and say it was a good performance and will be interesting to see what targets in his future now he is showing the talent that many thought he had - now where's my fork for the humble pie.

The flying machine that is Un De Sceaux turned up at Ascot and like many of the great Mullins raiders took the prize money back to Ireland with little fuss. A repeat in the Ryanair at Cheltenham might just be a little bit more difficult this time though especially if Cue Card turns up on his retirement tour.
A big eye-catching performance at Ascot was that of Dancing Lass - who danced his way through the field down the back straight after deciding to give his opponents a head start by jumping poorly for the first mile before putting on his dancing shoes and jumping brilliantly for the rest of the race for Noel Fehily

Everyone loves a good fairy-tale in sport and that of The New One continues to warm the heart, for the fourth year he won the Champion hurdle trial at Haydock Park and as usual he done it the hard way, showing all his heart and courage that has become his calling card. his jockey Sam Twiston-Davies says that he has nearly paid his mortgage off thanks to the New One - if he manages to win the World Hurdle then surely Sam will have to move him in!!

Haydock at this time of year is basically a mud bath and in the slog that is the Peter Marsh chase it was The Dutchman who ploughed his way through like a John Deere in a muddy field to stay on best and win by 9 lengths, a return in the Grand National trial in similar conditions might be on the cards - if he can get cleaned up in time!

As its winter and the snow, wind and rain are gripping the country it feels strange to be writing about a horse going over to California for a multi million dollar race - but that is what Toast of New York is doing this Saturday. Back in training with Jamie Osborne after 3 years off track which prior to his time off included a very unlucky 2nd in the Breeders Cup classic, he won on his comeback at Lingfield and will have the assistance of the best big race jockey in the world - Frankie Dettori. If he wins then it will be a fairy tale of New York.

Lanzarote Hurdle day at Kempton Park.

Kempton Park has found itself in the news for a variety of reasons over the past few years, whether it be the addition of the all weather track, Kauto Star paying for punters Christmas for four consecutive years then coming back two years later to add an incredible fifth King George, and most recently the controversial decision to axe the course in favour of building houses, which personally I feel is  disastrous move as Kempton on boxing day is as traditional as Father Christmas coming the day before.

Saturday proved to be the scene for another big moment, where the continued rise of 16 year old James Bowen showed no signs of stopping, Bowen who has burst onto the scene in the last 12 months including a win just last week on Raz De Maree - only three years his junior - in the rescheduled Welsh Grand National the fact that Bowen was born the same year I could legally drink and gamble makes one feel old.. This time Bowen was seen to great use aboard William Henry in the Lanzarote hurdle for trainer Nicky Henderson who watched from afar in Scotland ( not sure I would have missed a day at the races to get married like Mr Henderson - but shh don't tell my wife), in a typically run handicap it was full of hustle and bustle, and coming to the second last there were 5 horses who stood a chance of winning, but it was William Henry who had a horrible first experience over fences who stayed on best and is now destined for the wild west that Coral Cup at Cheltenham in March resembles.

It is fitting that Henderson being a big supporter of Kempton and to keep racing there should have a treble on the card. He also saddled Chef Des Obeaux to an impressive 19 length win in the novice hurdle, the gelding showing considerable improvement from a 1/2 length win on his hurdles debut and is one to keep onside when stepped up in grade. Jenkins has for a long time been a talking horse and was at one point the favourite for the Supreme Novices Hurdle in 2017. However after an odds on reverse at Kempton on boxing day 2016 he missed the big festivals. I've never been convinced despite his reputation but he went some way to making me eat my words, with a comfortable 5 length win in the closing handicap hurdle and it will be interesting to see where Nicky goes with him next, options could include the County Hurdle or the Betfair Hurdle.

Elsewhere on the card Fountains Windfall managed to put in a clear round of jumping to win impressively in his first try in a handicap. Despite being a faller at Newbury on Ladbrokes trophy day then in the Kauto Star on boxing day he was sent off a warm order at 10/11 and did not let his supporters down winning by 9 lengths. A step back into novice company in the RSA will surely be on his horizon but they may choose to get more experience into him before the big day. This would be a wise move as having had a few falls, another nice confidence booster would do the horse a world of good.

In the listed chase there was a big winner for the North as Waiting Patiently won impressively for Brian Hughes and Malcom Jefferson who had an across the card double with Black Ivory winning the Pertemps qualifier at Warwick. The 7 year old was taking his unbeaten record over fences to 5 with a very taking performance beating the bold jumping Art Mauresque in a field that contained several grade 1 winners. The winner is surly destined for graded races and should take the step up in his stride based on this performance.