20th August Update
No runners to enjoy this past week but a really good chance we may have three this week, and they could all be on Wednesday!
Surrey Noir, as long as he’s ok, will run at Kempton on Wednesday evening, in the first race on the evening card, a 7 furlong class 5 handicap with James Doyle booked to ride. After a gelding operation and some mitigating factors on a few of his runs, this really is a no excuse race. The Kempton track has been refurbished with 1000 tonnes of new polytrack with a higher percentage of wax and fibre, that was mixed with the current material and as such It will ride on the slow side for a period of time, which in itself should suit Noir so good luck to connections.
Also on the same day, Surrey Belle is entered into Leicester’s 7.32 pm, a class 5 fillies handicap over nearly 12 furlongs with Billy Loughnane booked to ride. With the current ground conditions firming up at Leicester we think this is probably the least likely chance for us to have a runner that day. Belle also has an entry at Ffos Las on Friday, another class 5 handicap over 12 furlongs, with the ground currently soft and rain coming from the west, this looks a better option although she would need a couple not to declare to get in. Having seen Belle settle better at Sandown last time we are now looking to push her forward to a more suited distance. She’s certainly matured and looking even stronger at home so wherever she runs we have high hopes of a decent performance.
Surrey Charm is entered at Bath on Wednesday, a class 6 handicap over 12 furlongs and with the ground in Bath drying out this is a good option. Charm has also been entered into a class 4 (0-85) at Goodwood’s evening meeting on Friday. It’s a bit of a speculative entry and she would carry 11 pounds less than the next lowest, which is 4 pounds out of the handicap, but for a small entry fee it’s great that Hughie is thinking outside the box at a course that has served him well recently!
We also expect Charm and Belle to have an entry in the same race at Windsor on Saturday, the last race on the card, which is a class 6 handicap over 11 furlongs, back up plans in place but one looking at the forecast that would suit Charm more than Belle.
Steve and I will do our best to be at the racing on Wednesday but obviously if we are in 3 races that won’t be possible, and I’m away for a few days after that so if we have two runners Friday, unfortunately Steve will only be at the one so apologies in advance, we always like to make sure at least one of us is present on raceday but it may not be possible this week.
Surrey Force has inflammation in one of his legs so he is on anti inflammatory drugs and on the easy list for the next week or so which puts his debut back into September.
No new news on the others
Good Luck to all three horses and connections for this week – what price a hattrick on the week?!!
Possible races and events
2023
August
Wednesday 23rd - Surrey Noir - Kempton
Surrey Belle – Leicester
Surrey Charm - Bath
Friday 25th - Surrey Belle – Ffos Las
Surrey Charm - Goodwood
Saturday 26th – Surrey Belle/Surrey Charm - Windsor
September
Saturday 9th – Billy’s Aprahamian Open Morning
Thursday 14th Toby Lawes Open House Drinks (as part of https://nationalracehorseweek.uk/)
October
Saturday 7th – Toby Lawes Owners Morning