The Inside Track – May 2024

The Inside Track – May 2024

With the continued unsettled weather rolling over into the start of the 2024/25 season, there were ample opportunities for many of the winter horses to have a last run of the campaign whilst those in search of better ground got their chance too.

Coniston George again ran with great credit, not even the stiff test of Hexham could see him to best effect with a start stop gallop over the minimum trip not getting to the bottom of him. A stronger pace and / or upping to 2 ½ miles will make him a real force to contend with in higher grades than this and is a winner in waiting.

Kajaki returned after 7 months off at Kelso, showing plenty of ability remains at 11. Entered at Uttoxeter in the coming days, he’ll hopefully kick in from here this summer.

On a strong day for the yard at the Borders track, the only disappointment came in the shape of Bullion Boss for the same ownership. He didn’t quite manage to get into the race from off the pace, yet still finished a creditable 6^th of 16. He’s been falling in the weights now for some time and will hopefully take advantage soon.

Over the bigger obstacles, Parisencore returned from three months off and having been in the teeth of the race for the vast majority didn’t quite find the required extra from 2 out to make the podium. He has some strong back form and is well handicapped moving forwards.

No Regrets bounced back in style from his previous start to take a handicap chase on the card in a first-time visor though not without giving his connections a slight fright in the run to the line. He has only gone up 4lbs for the win and can add to his win total in the coming months.

Finally on the card, Headscarf Lil came a close 3^rd after 9 weeks off – belying odds of 16/1 to run a cracker. She might have trips to the likes of Market Rasen on her agenda over the summer.

The Lincolnshire track saw Summergrounds return after 7 months off to strike in determined fashion. Very lightly raced for an 8-year-old, he can hopefully feature in plenty of races this summer.

The remainder of the month had mixed results as plenty of other stablemates made their reappearances. She’s a Rocca appeared to lose her action and was pulled up on the same day as the Summergrounds win, with Kian Calling, Getway Frankie and Court Dreaming all failing to get into things at Hexham.

Getaway Frankie is well fancied to do better next time out given her pedigree and will certainly benefit from the experience, with the latter again failing to fire at Cartmel later in the month back over hurdles without his usual cheekpieces.

Hexham did however see a return to form for Aubis Walk in first-time cheekpieces in calmer waters than last time and seemed to benefit from the shorter trip. She travelled well into contention and can hopefully build on this.

Whereas on paper, the remainder of the month’s runners seem disappointing there were valid excuses for most of them starting with Coniston Clouds who clearly wasn’t 100% in himself and was well looked after. Yakelo showed plenty of promise in his bumper debut to forgive his two subsequent efforts and he crucially settled better at Southwell for the fitting of a hood. He will be exciting as a novice hurdler.

Rickety Gate faced the longest trip he’s faced in his career to date and with the race turning into a real test of stamina possibly failed to stay. He’ll be on the shortlist for most events at Perth back at 3m.

The Best Way seemed to travel well for a long way on handicap debut before being quickly eased when meeting significant trouble. He is definitely one to look out for next time.

Finally, Spanish Saint seemed to lose his action on his first start since joining the yard and will have other days to show his ability having shown some ability on the flat in an Irish maiden.

Star Performer: Summergrounds – Ran a career best in winning after 7 months off and can have a productive summer.

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