Woody Bay comes good

7th June 2015

It was great to see Woody Bay get his head in front on Saturday at Newcastle, since my Dad bought him in July last year he has run some great races in defeat, he really deserved to get a win. He is a horse all the team have thought a lot of since we got him, his work at home is exceptional and I think Saturday's race will give him a lot of confidence and I hope he will win a valuable race before the end of the season. It was also a special day for his owner Phil Thompson who was enjoying his first success as an owner, and I was glad to have been part of the moment. There was a great deal of shouting from Phil and his family and my Dad and I as  'Woody' came from last to lead in the final few strides under a great ride from Jason Hart.

Druid's Diamond was supposed to run at Newcastle as well didn't as the ground was very quick, I don't really like running two year olds on ground that firm. He is a nice horse and there is no rush with him. Earlier in the day I was at Hexham to saddle Highlander Ted, he ran disappointingly but is a horse with enough ability to win more races if we can get him on top form again.

One of the performances I was really happy with during the week was Adam's Ale, who finished fourth at Ripon and is just starting come into form. The most disappointing was Lorimer's Lot she is so well handicapped on her form earlier last year and I find it so frustrating that I can't seems to get her back to her best, I'm sure there is a key to getting her back in form and I am racking my brain to find it as she is a really decent mare when she is on song.

We've got a few runners with chances for the week ahead; Oliver's Gold runs tomorrow at Thirsk and if he puts his best foot forward he could run a big race, he is however unreliable on the flat for some reason and Novice chasing will be his job later in the summer.

The picture is of Woody Bay in the winners enclosure at Newcastle