With Daisyclipper a non runner at Chester today, thanks to a pulled muscle, that left four runners to fly the Sun Hill flag. At Ripon in the first race, two first time out two year olds were due to make their racecourse debuts. Chevanagh who, by rights should not really be with us but, thanks to a large chunk of both bad luck, and good luck, she is here and, has been doing well enough to suggest she can win races. Her owner/ breeder had been unable to sell her at Doncaster as a yearling. George and I had looked at her at the sales and really liked the free, easy moving filly with a kind eye, big ears and nice look about her but, having spent all our pennies earlier, had left for home before she entered the sales ring. Unsold, her owner/ breeder had put her back on the horse box destined for the ferry when friend and right hand man at the sales, JC stepped in and, recommending us to her owner, the box was duly stopped while a second lorry was sent to collect her for delivery at Sun Hill. Tonight she repaid us all by making her racecourse debut a winning one.
Maria Anna also running the same race had not shown quite as much as Chevanagh had in her homework but, has shown enough to suggest winning is on the cards for her in future. The feisty filly by Amadeus Wolf rode "like a colt" and will improve significantly, according to her pilot, Paul Mulrennan. At Hamilton Sharp Shoes added to his tally of three wins when appreciating both the rain softened ground, and the drop in handicap mark which allowed him to sparkle again. Given an excellent ride by pony racing jockey recruit, Laura Barry, he went about his business well winning the five furlong sprint cosily. Later at Hamilton, Smart Violletta ran better than she had last year but, given that her regular work partner, is last weeks winner, Hels Angel, with whom this filly has been matching strides, her lack of effort was a bit disappointing. Travelling lazily, she clearly needs a wake up call if we are to see the improvement we know is there.
A late night finish, but another early start tomorrow with gallopers at Ripon ahead of a work day at home, followed by runners at Haydock and Thirsk.
Onenitinheaven lined up minus Paul Hanagan but with Adrian Nichols aka "Trotter" in the plate instead. Breaking well and showing good speed she ran well to finish second. The Gay Kelleway trained winner is highly regarded, and Mark Johnstons horse was well fancied.