We Never Stop Shows A New Side

This season has been very productive from the yard’s 3yo sprinters. Group 1 winner through all the races, the 3yo’s have provided some top performances as well as showing plenty of promise for their futures too. We Never Stop looked like a sprinter full of potential and he got back on track when taking the 6f Gamble Responsibly At BetUK Handicap at Southwell.

The powerful son of Cotai Glory started the year of 85, a mark that seemed to be workable for him. Taking on two of the top 3yo handicaps at the beginning of the season, We Never Stop didn’t disgrace himself and seemed ready to win, with the possibility of going on from there. Dropping to 5f he duly gained his first win of the season and the future looked bright. Unfortunately he didn’t handle the track at Goodwood but there were no excuses for his penultimate start. Running at the Ebor meeting, the 3yo never raced a yard, which was frustrating but required addressing immediately following the race.

Gelding a horse can help with their mental approach as well as their physical well being. Both were thought to be beneficial for We Never Stop but could only be proved when he raced once again. It was a good break between runs, mainly due to the worsening ground conditions, so he would be seen on the all-weather. The 12 runner race was highly competitive with some veterans of the division mixed with some potential. Shane Gray has been the regular parter and was booked once more for the ride.

Blinkers were fitted for the first time, to try and help with concentration. Drawn in stall 11 wasn’t ideal but showing good speed, We Never Stop tanked up to the bend and was pressuring the lead. It’s only a short run and the field were quickly swinging left handed. Showing plenty of enthusiasm We Never Stop was travelling nicely for Shane and had the perfect spot to attack the leader when the time comes.

Straightening up for home, with just over 2f to run, the leader looked to increase the tempo.Quite a few in behind were working to close but Shane was was one of the last to get into his drive. Now the race was hotting up and as the challenges began, there was a line of 5 b battling in front. That was cut by one as the leader weakened and left We Never Stop in front, form under pressure from all angles.

Moving into the final furlong, We Never Stop was headed, looking as though his challenge was done, especially as his rivals looked to be going better. It did look as though he may have to settle for one of the placing at best but Shane continued to work away and We Never Stop was showing a much improved determination. With 100 yards to run he rallied, and began to fight back. From around 3/4 length down he started to reverse the fortunes. Shane was getting a really tune from his mount as the 3yo pulled into a four way fight. A blanket covered the front quartet as they fought tooth and nail for the win. As they flashed past the line it was impossible to see who won. With a winning margin of a nose and dead heat for 3rd, We Never Stop earned the win in thrilling fashion.

Not only was it great to see this win for We Never Stop but the way in which he did it was impressive. Having shown a little bit of laziness in his last race, he completely turned that around here. Enthusiasm and a battling attitude saw the 3yo come out on top. This also came after quite a break so it can be expected that he will improve for the run. He handled the surface so there could be some more options for him during the winter.

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Hat Trick Up For Barnaby

Winning sequences are hard to come by and seem to be getting harder nowadays. With narrower bands of races, horses seeking multiple wins on the bounce find life a lot tougher. Barnaby was finding winning a tough task, that was until he stepped up to 7f and reverted to the Tapeta. In little over a month he has now racked up a hat trick of wins, his latest in the 7f Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap at Newcastle.

Barnaby not only won his last two races but did so in impressive style. Last time out he cruised to a 3 3/4 length win which made a mockery of his current mark. With this display it was clear that he could get a big hike in the weights, so just a week later he headed back to Newcastle under a 6lb penalty. On the morning of the race his new mark saw a rise of 7lb so Barnaby would actually be 1lb well in.

Tom Eaves was on board once again and looked to utilise his usual tactics. Settling in just off the pace, Barnaby tracked a steady pace through the first furlong. This was shown by the leader taking a keener hold, looking to go a stride or two quicker. The field tracked over towards the stands side, with Barnaby racing closest to the rail.

There was a distinct increase in the tempo through the next few furlongs and the field went from well bunched up to getting a little strung out. In turn this saw the runners racing in a much more streamline formation. They would get racing a long way from home and Barnaby would lose a place or two as they hit the 3f marker. Although there were plenty of jockeys working away, including Tom, there were a couple who sat motionless. Barnaby had cruised through his last two races but this time he was going to have to do it in a lot harder manner.

Moving into the final 2f the front two had got a got of a break on the rest. Barnaby was now starting to find his feet and began to move froward, coming out of the pack to hunt down the leaders. Alongside Barnaby, a fellow rival was finishing too and the pair would pull each other along. The chasing duo would loom up to the leaders passing the 1f marker and swiftly kicked away. Now the race was between these two, as they tussled for the lead. The more they fought the further they pulled away from the rest but there was no separating them. It was neck and neck and even as they flashed past the line, there was no telling who had won. Thankfully the photo was called in favour of Barnaby who completed the hat trick by just a nose.

Barnaby is on a great run of form and this win will see another rise in the handicap. It is great to rack up the hat trick of wins but he has done so in a short space of time so there may be a little time before his next run. With plenty of racing over the winter there will be options for Barnaby to extend this winning streak.

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It’s Irish Nectar’s Time Of Year

Autumn 2023 saw Irish Nectar record two wins, at the end of his juvenile season. He has had to wait once again in 2024 with not only tough early season races but ground going against him. With his favoured ground conditions Irish Nectar hit the mark again when taking the 6f William Hill Extra Place Races Daily Handicap at Doncaster.

There is a good program for 3yo sprinters but it also very competitive, especially at the start of the season. Irish Nectar began the year off 87 due to his two wins which meant that he would take on a few top handicaps. Whilst not being disgraced, the ground was too quick for him. As the conditions eased his form picked up and despite not looking so in the results, he had been unlucky. Poor draw and some slow starts over 5f suggested that it was time to step back up to 6f.

Doncaster proved to be very testing conditions. With Shane Gray in the saddle, Irish Nectar jumped a lot better than he had been but was still retrained through the early stages. Sitting towards the rear didn’t actually give too much ground away as the 9 runners edged over to race towards the stands side. Despite the turf kicking up quite severely, the pace was strong enough as the field raced through the first couple of furlongs.

Racing had been testing all day and this looks to be the same as the field passed halfway. Still well bunched, the lead changed hands as Shane started to work away on his mount. They were racing quite far out but there were also plenty of chances. Irish Nectar was beginning to make headway as they moved inside the final 2f so Shane switched him out to get a clear run. This move saw about 5 horses in a line, looking to make their challenges.

Irish Nectar picked up well when he saw daylight and came through to join the leader hitting the 1f marker. He looked full of running but as he took the lead he hung to his right. Shane tried to adjust but couldn’t quite do it in time, causing a bit of interference. Irish Nectar wasn’t stopping though and he continued to find, galloping out in the final 1/2 furlong. Down the near side, his last challenger was rattling home and eating into the small lead that he had. It was a 3 way go as they hit the line but no photo was necessary as Irish Nectar secured the win by a nose.

Irish Nectar loves it when he going gets testing and combined with the step back up to 6f, it worked a treat here. He hasn’t had the best of luck this season but he does look like a sprinter who can on from here, especially at either ends of the season when conditions suit. There is another race over C&D which will likely be his next outing but Irish Nectar could be one to keep on the right side in the future.

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Double Under The Southwell Lights

We are fast approaching the final week of the flat season which sees more attention turn to racing abroad and the all-weather becoming more prevalent. There were a couple of comfortable winners for the yard as Beauty Queen and True Promise produced a double on the evening card at Southwell.


Winning on debut, Beauty Queen announced herself as a 2yo full of promise. After a couple of runs she got right back to her best when making all in the 5f Win £1m With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Novice Stakes.

The daughter of Soldier’s Call had impressed on her debut when she bolted up at Beverley, beating a good yardstick in the process. It was a very eye catching run and looked to be a performance of a potential pattern filly. Having stayed on well on a stiff finish, Beauty Queen would step up to 6f for her next run, another novice race, this time at York. This time she showed blistering speed, going too quick to get home over the longer trip but stating that reverting back to the minimum trip may be the way forward.

Having a try at listed level, Beauty Queen ran below par when last seen at the Ebor meeting. There were no excuses so she was given time until her next run. With limited opportunities, despite holding a mark of 85, she would drop back into Novice company at Southwell. Tom Evaes was set to ride for the first time as the pair lined up against 8 rivals. Holding the highest handicap mark, Beauty Queen would also need to deny a penalty in this company.

Jumping well, she was straight into her stride and took the lead. Showing her natural speed, Beauty Queen led the field down the centre of the track, setting a scorching pace. Simplicity was the order of the day and Tom just allowed the filly to gallop, where she was happy. The pace set ensured that the field were well strung out, despite this being over the minimum trip.

There was very little to discuss throughout the race as Beauty Queen just dictated and never saw a rival. By halfway she had her rivals under pressure as they came under a drive. Tom didn’t need to move a muscle as his filly continued to turn the screw for the front. The field were beginning to to look like a finish to a middle distance race, with the 10 runners well strung out. With 1 1/2f to run, and the race at her mercy, Tom asked his filly to go and finish her race. Beauty Queen did so with ease and turned the final furlong into a precession. Nothing could go with her and Beauty Queen strode out to an easy 2 1/4 length win.

Only four urns into her carer but still it was good to see Beauty Queen back to winning ways. She looked very smart on debut and whilst it hasn’t happened yet she does still look like a filly who could be a pattern horse. Having shown that the surface is no issue there could be plenty of options on the all-weather in the future or the turf. She has blistering speed and looks like there could be plenty more to come from the 2yo.


Starting his career off in perfect style, True Promise has taken time to get his head back in front. It has been a return to the all-weather that has seen the 3yo bounce back to form and he looks like a sprinter to keep an eye on. Taking his third career win, True Promise did it well in the 6f Free Bets With BetUK Bet Club Handicap.

Having been a slow burner, True Promise made a fast start to his career. Winning on debut (6f) and then his next start (7f), the gelding was assigned a mark of 85. He was dealt some tough tasks when reverting to the turf, racing over 7f in some ultra competitive 3yo handicaps. With each run he looked to be getting faster, the more street wise he became and so the next couple of runs would be dropping back to sprinting distances.

True Promise’s form picked up when reverting back to sprinting. He would be back on the all-weather, due to the ground getting very testing, where he put in arguably his best career performance. Past form on the artificial surface opened up plenty of options for the 3yo and so he would head to Southwell to face 11 rivals. Shane Gray is the only one to win on board the chestnut and took the ride once again.

Drawn widest of all was far from ideal but with many of the field looking to be patient, Shane was able to track over. Before they got to the left handed bend, True Promise was vying for the lead, managing to get a lovely position, chasing the early pace. It was a fair gallop being set as they took the long, sweeping bend which saw the field race in quite a tight formation.

Shane got a lovely tow into the race as the leader began to wind it up around the bend. Passing halfway, jockeys were beginning to jostle for positions and get a bit closer to the front. True Promise didn’t need to worry as he was first in line to have a crack when the time came.

Kicking off the front, the leader went for home entering the straight and tried to stretch his rivals. Shane matched the move and maintained his position, sitting on the leader’s girths. As they passed the 2f marker, the pair were well situated and Shane had yet to pose any real questions. The leader looked in danger now as True Promise was growing in stature.

Taking up the lead entering the final furlong, True Promise opened up a nice cushion to the rest. He looked to be full of running and certainly was, but then he gave the rest a sniff. Edging left and then back to his right when adjusted, True Promise”s lead was beginning to get eaten in to. There were a few fast finishers but True Promise  had done enough earlier on and wasn’t stopping in front either. Dashing past the line he secured a lengthy victory, making it three for his career.

True Promise has taken a bit of time to mature and learn his racing. It seems strange to say about a horse who won his first two starts but it is different when competing in handicap company, against more experienced rivals. He is getting quicker with every run and having only started racing this year so he is likely to improve again next year. True Promise has done well in a short space of time and looks a sprinter to keep a watch of.

 

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Uncle Sam Wins On All-Weather Debut

The vast majority of the juveniles are well into their racing career now and this means they have earned their handicap marks. This allows them to compete in the juvenile handicaps, known as nurseries, which opens up many more options. Uncle Sam had been threatening all season and gained his first career win when taking the 6f Alfie’s Bar Nursery Handicap at Newcastle.

Uncle Sam’s form has been a little bit patchy with differing trips and tactics used to try and gain a winning formula. Having dropped a few pounds in the handicap, he found himself off a fair mark when he travelled to Newcastle for the 6f race. In a wide open race, Uncle Sam was viewed as the main danger to the favourite.

Tom Eaves took the ride and after a steady start, where a rival just moved across him, the pair moved up to chase the early lead. Racing down he centre of the track, the 10 runners were well bunched tracking a decent gallop. Uncle Sam got into a nice rhythm early on and after the first couple of furlongs he was starting to press the leader.

They were quickly down to halfway and the leader was soon under pressure. Tom had been tracking them for a long way and as his rival began to come under pressure, Uncle Sam took up the lead travelling sweetly. Those in behind started to come under a drive to try and challenge the new leader.

Uncle Sam was the last one to come off the bridle, whilst hiding a length advantage. Moving inside the final 2f, Tom wound him up and got his mount lengthening. Quickening up, Uncle Sam took control and set a marker to his rivals. His nearest pursuer was working hard and started to cut the deficit as they passed the 1f pole. Uncle Sam was finding for pressure but his lead was being clawed back. Battling hard he managed to crack his rival but there was a whole host finishing off well. The final 1/2 furlong saw a handful or runners flying home whilst Uncle Sam looked to hold on. He didn’t just hold on, he found a bit more once the huffs began rattling behind him. Holding them all at bay, Uncle Sam took his first career win by 3/4 length.

It could be the last time Uncle Sam runs for the yard as he is in the sales but it is a great way to bow out. He showed a great attitude through the race and this could be the start of better things to come for him. Very honest, Uncle Sam could be really fun horse next year and this certainly won’t be his last win.

 

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LOT 513 (Tattersalls Book 2) Kodi Bear x Zenella

SIRE – Kodi Bear

DAM – Zenella 

SEX – Colt

COLOUR – Bay

DOB – 16/2/2023

PRICE – 82,000 gns 

PEDIGREE

PICTURE

 

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End Of Story Rounds Off The Season At York

The season is coming into the final weeks with racecourses holding their final meetings of 2024. York is one of the top tracks in England and they brought their season to an end with the Coral Sprint meeting. The two day meeting saw End Of Story lead home a 1-2 for the yard when he beat stable mate, Kings Call, in the 5f Parsonage Hotel And Cloisters Spa Nursery Handicap.

Having won on debut, End Of Story has been asked some stiff questions throughout the season. He has run well in pattern company but come up short which saw the 2yo drop to handicap company a couple of runs ago at the Knavesmire. Finishing second, over 6f, End Of Story then tried listed company once again at the Ayr Gold Cup meeting before returning to the nursery division.

By Bungleinthejungle, a sire that has really become popular at Hambleton Lodge, End Of Story had shown a preference for easier going. The soft ground would suit and a sharp 5f, which York offers, should play to his strengths. Tom Eaves was booked for the ride as the pair lined up against 9 rivals.

Adopting his usual tactics, End Of Story led the field from the start. Jumping from stall 2, the gelding headed the field and immediately looked to edge over. The stalls had been positioned on the far side so Tom moved over and took them along towards the centre of the track. Closely followed and pressed from the off, End Of Story set a strong gallop, especially with the tacky ground underfoot.

Quickly down to halfway, End Of Story continued to head the field down the centre. On the ground it was very hard to make up ground so his rivals began to work away heading towards the 2f marker. The leading pair were continuing to press on in front and were certainly going best of all as they moved into the final 1/2 mile. End Of Story travelled powerfully in front and it allowed Tom to bide his time.

Only a couple of rivals were able to make any late headway, one being stable mate Kings Call. Having made all, End Of Story was asked the question passing the 1f pole. His nearest rival, who had been on his norths from the off, couldn’t match him and End Of Story crept away. Thriving on the easy ground, End Of Story was full of running and responded to Tom. With 100 yards to run, the lead began to grow as End Of Story continued to quicken from the front. There was no stopping the gelding and he galloped out to an impressive 1 1/4 length win.

This will likely be End Of Story’s last run for the yard as he is in the sales at Newmarket. He has enjoyed a good season and has the size to continue to improve as a 3yo next season. Winning comfortably off a mark of 86 will likely see this rise to the 90’s. Whatever lies ahead for the juvenile he will certainly continue his winning ways next year, wherever his future lies.

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Volterra Shows His Class

Heritage Handicaps offer some great prize money and prestige to those horses just below pattern company. Many do take the step up to that level which therefore means that they are some of the most competitive races in the calendar. Volterra routed a smart field when he ran away with the 7f BetMGM Challenge Cup at Ascot.

The season couldn’t have started any better for the 3yo colt as he made a winning return at the Craven meeting. Off a mark of 82, Volterra made a mockery of his mark to win by 2 3/4 lengths despite racing quite free throughout the race. This win was eye catching for all and he would be sent off favourite for the Britannia at the Royal meeting. Again he raced with enthusiasm but he did seem to be drawn unfavourably, winning his group but having no impact. Changes in tactics next time out, at Newmarket, really didn’t suit but there was no faith lost in him.

Sticking with his own age group, Volterra showed his true colours at the Ebor meeting. Trying to make all he had the race won, everywhere bar the line, finishing runner up in the final few strides. With few options following that race it was decided to aim for the bigger target at Ascot, where he would be tackling 7f for the first time this season.

Horrible weather had forced the ground team to do plenty of work at Ascot and by race day the ground was soft but had improved throughout the week. Shane Gray was taking the ride as 18 runners lined up for the £180,000 contest. Bouncing out and showing his usual enthusiasm, Volterra took the lead immediately. The rest of the field soon tracked over to follow and as Shane dropped his hands, the 18 runners were soon well spread out.

Despite showing great enthusiasm, and setting a strong gallop, Volterra was always racing in Shane’s hands. With Shane dictating, the field raced slightly towards the far side as they charged through the first half of the race. Always holding a length advantage, Volterra took the field down past 3f as they began to shuffle into position behind him. The pace had never let up and with the leader still travelling nicely, one or two began to work away to close the gap.

Shane had not moved and was waiting to throw down his final assault on the race. More challengers had moved through to press the lead and it was at the 2f pole where Shane got to work. Changing his hands a few time, Volterra was asked to quicken which he set about doing. He maintained his advantage, keeping the lead and starting the move through the gears.

As they headed towards the final furlong, the race was blown apart. Now Volterra hit his stride and suddenly kicked clear. With stamina proven over a mile, there would have to be a serious run from a rival to reel Volterra in. There was never a moment of doubt as Volterra just poured it on, going further and further clear. Shane could check the big screen to view any dangers and it must have been a good sight. With daylight to the rest, Shane was able to ease down and still secure the win by an impressive 3 1/4 lengths.

This was impressive in so many ways. It is always hard to cut out the running but more so in an ultra competitive handicap. To then quicken off a strong gallop and continue through the line showed all of Volterra’s class. Winning off 94 will likely see his handicap mark raised into the 100’s and so pattern company could well be in line next year. Volterra holds an entry in the Balmoral Handicap on Champions Day so this may well be an option next.

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LOT 282 (Goffs Orby) Bungleinthejungle x Jackie Sparrow

SIRE – Bungleinthejungle

DAM – Jackie Sparrow

SEX – Colt

COLOUR – Chestnut

DOB – 2/5/2023

PRICE – €60,000

PEDIGREE

PICTURES

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Montana Scoots Away For Maiden Win

All-weather racing becomes more prominent at this stage of the year which certainly gives more options as the weather begins to turn. Montana Girl was making her first start in handicap company when she reverted to the artificial surface and made all to take the 5f Download The Raceday Ready App Nursery Handicap at Southwell.

Having made three starts on the turf, Montana Girl had become eligible for a handicap mark. The 61 assigned to her looked very fair as she had shown enough to be utilising this. Taking on 13 rivals, with Tom eaves on board, Montana Girl looked to take control of the race from the off.

Jumping well, she was immediately to the fore and led from he start. Being drawn in stall 7, Montana Girl led down the centre of the tracks as Tom allowed the film to stride on. There was no hanging about and as she was pressed for the lead, Montana Girl set a strong gallop in front. As they passed the first couple of furlongs the leading pair had a clear lead and the field strung out.

As they moved past halfway, Montana Girl just moved away from her nearest pursuer as Tom began to wind her up from the front. In behind there was plenty of animated jockeys trying to close the gap on the leader. Moving inside the 2f pole, Montana Girl did look under pressure with her rival travelling well to her left hand side. For a second it looked as though she may have been headed but Tom was finding his filly responding to pressure.

The front two remained the same as they entered the final furling but it was Montana Girl who looked the stronger of the pair. As her challenger changed, the filly continued to find more. Digging deep, Montana Girl kicked away once again, feeling the rival on her girths and opening up a clear lead once more. Finishing the strongest, she secured her first win by a comfortable 1 length, doing it the hard way.

Owner Bearstone Stud are also the breeders of Montana Girl so it is always important to get a win for their fillies, maintaining their pedigrees and also giving them a potential future in the breeding shed themselves. Montana Girl showed great speed and a very likeable attitude which suggest that there could be more to come from her.

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