Jumping For Joy!
Mon 14 Feb 2022
WINNER 12 OF 2022: MARIE'S ROCK, trained by Nicky Henderson OBE and ridden by Aidan Coleman: 'The LISTED Virgin Bet Warwick Mares' Hurdle ' over 2m 5f at Warwick.
A tight contest, with Marie's Rock chalked up as joint favourite, it was great to see her line up in this Listed race, after her unfortunate experience last time out at Kempton. Aidan held her up in last, to make sure that she settled, which she did nicely. He nudged her along from 3 out and her noseband could be seen moving between runners. Making good headway from 2 out, she began to quicken well and went clear after the last to win readily by 3 lengths.
"Marie's Rock is back to her best today!" Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/horse_racing_replays/376315-virgin-bet-warwick-mares-hurdle-listed-1
Timeform rated it as a joint career best 139, saying: "Resumed winning ways back in a non-handicap against her own sex, potentially better than ever and not for the first time showing a striking turn of foot to seal matters; held up, travelled well, close up before 2 out, upsides there, quickened ahead flat, well on top finish; still quite lightly raced, she's an each-way contender for the David Nicholson, though typically the Irish challenge for that race looks formidable.”
Aidan said in his Racing TV interview: "She must be a hardy mare after her experience last time out at Kempton, almost being brought down by a faller and was very unlucky there. She switched off lovely and got herself there well, going through the gears to see it out well. She is a very good mare and deserves a go in one of the big races.”
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.dwprattracingphotography.co.uk/gallery_775588.html.
Her fourth piece of black type from her 10 career starts is wonderful. Whilst we were at our owners stable visit to Seven Barrows on Sunday morning, Nicky was taking calls from the press asking about Marie's Rock! He was giving her plenty of pats as she was paraded for owners. Read the Racing Post story here: https://www.racingpost.com/news/race-reports/she-battled-and-answered-every-question-maries-rock-books-cheltenham-spot/537682
WINNER 13 OF 2022: RED RISK, trained by Paul Nicholls OBE and ridden by Bryony Frost: 'The Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle' over 2m 4f at Uttoxeter.
Setting off in mid division Bryony kept him on the outside of the field. As horses around him began to come off the bridle, they made steady headway to move into third, 3 from home. Still cruising, he took the lead before 2 out, and going clear approaching the last, Bryony took a long look behind to see that all she needed to do was coast him home, winning easily by 13 lengths..
"Well clear here is Red Risk and Bryony Frost." Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Uttoxeter/12-February-2022/1358
Timeform rated it as a 139 performance, saying: "Returned to form from out of the blue kept over hurdles, certainly no fluke about it given the manner of his success, arguably worth marking up a little as well given the overall form of his yard; raced wide, mid-division, travelled strongly, headway seventh, led when not fluent 2 out, in command last, won easily.”
Bryony said in her Sky Sports Racing interview: "He has done that well under top weight. I kept him wide and he enjoyed himself.”
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.nigelkirbyphotography.com/Horse-Racing/Uttoxeter-Racecourse/Uttoxeter-2022/Uttoxeter-Races-Sat-12-February-2022/Race-3/
He was The Racing Post 'star performer' of the meeting too: "Star performer: Red Risk (1.58) made the most of a drop in class and cruised clear under top weight."
Syndicate manager of both horses Tom Palin, says " Congratulations to both sets of owners on Saturday - it was special as there were many of both syndicates at the track to applaud their horses in and collect their prizes, as well of course, as tasting the winners champagne! Marie's Rock is picking up a nice Black Type CV now and we are getting excited for the Cheltenham Festival with her. She is in the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle and there's the Coral Cup handicap, as another option. We were lucky to be able to see her at our owner stable visit the morning after, where we went through plans for her. Red Risk really showed the field at Uttoxeter a clean pair of heels; he was just simply unstoppable tanking his way through to the head of affairs, jumping well and from 3 out it was never in any doubt. The jumps team have done very well this month, with two wins and three 2nd places from our five NH runners - long may that continue!"
It really was a SUPER SATURDAY, with the two winners and then Crossing Lines and Red Bond finishing 2nd in their races. We can't believe quite how well 2022 has started for us, with 13 winners already. We were at that level in 2021 (which was a record year) in April, so being two months ahead is pretty amazing! Well done to our trainers and jockeys for bringing them home in front.
If you haven't yet booked your place at our scheduled stable visits, we have the following dates to come - all are welcome:
Richard Fahey and Rod Millman - Saturday February 19th
Charlie & Mark Johnston and Karl Burke - Saturday March 5th
Richard Hannon - Saturday March 12th
Keith Dalgleish - Saturday March 19th
Please email jamie@middlehamparkracing.net to book your place/s.