Tuesday 29th July 2014

Our club horse Gran Maestro runs this evening in the 8:20 at Worcester, the race is a two mile maiden hurdle Sam Twiston Davies rides.

Granny made a fair hurdling debut “3^rd” at Uttoxeter two weeks ago, the main objective was a nice clear round which we got. GM jumped safe but was a little slow away from the hurdles, with that previous experience under his belt hopefully he’ll jump a little better this evening.

Tonight’s race is very interesting indeed mainly due to the John Ferguson trained Questioning. A Group Class horse on the flat that hit an official rating of 114, compare this to Gran Maestro who averaged 72 rated animal. In simple terms Questioning is a 42lb better horse than our lad whilst is one of the highest rated flat horses to go jumping for a long as I can remember.

If Questioning takes to hurdling and stays the trip he will win and likely do it hard held, the horse should outclass this field.

Jamie Snowden our other syndicate trainer runs Imperial Plan, I’m sure there will be a bit of banter before the race and make the night a lot of fun. Imperial Plan has decent Irish hurdle & flat form, he looks sure to go well and will be tough to keep out of the first three.

Throw in Macarthur & Secret Beau “note Macarthur was a 90 rated flat horse” the race is going to take not only some winning but a real battle for the places.

If Gran Maestro finishers in the first three we’ll be more than delighted, however a top 5 finish will be fine and we can then possibly go down the handicap route.

It’s the first day of Glorious Goodwood I’ve had one small bet and backed Noble Silk EW at 12-1 in the 3:40.

Noble Silk ran a cracker in the Northumberland Plate finishing 4th plus met trouble in running in the final two furlongs costing him a few lengths and second place. The horse has decent course form at Goodwood whilst the drop in trip shouldn't be a problem. It's highly competitive race but were getting a decent price.