Friday 8th March, 2024

Urban Champion didn’t appear to get the trip according to Kieran Shoemark at Kempton on Wednesday evening.  He broke from the stalls better and although still keen, he travelled well until two out and hopefully a shorter trip will be the answer to him.

We have declared Elfride at Hereford tomorrow in the three miles one furlong handicap hurdle.  She ran well on heavier ground at Lingfield recently and the drying ground should help her cause.  There are plenty of runners and it looks competitive but hopefully promising conditional Oscar Palmer who claims seven pounds, will ensure that she is competitive as he rode her earlier in the season.

Lesser has a foot infection and was unable to take up his entry at Hereford, whilst the ground at Warwick on Sunday does not suit Organdi or Little Big Kev.

I attended the annual Carbine Club Cheltenham Preview at the Oxo Tower on Tuesday evening, where Nick Luck and I along with trainer George Baker and Croc McGrath compete for the Carbine Club Festival Tipping competition.  I shared the award with Croc last year and am confident of victory this year with my selections of State Man, El Fabiolo, Crambo and Galopin Des Champs.   Selections that won’t make you rich unless in a combination, however Festival fever is upon us.

Pleased to have raised money for the Injured Jockeys Fund last night at the Living Room Cinema in Chipping Norton where I hosted a panel including trainers Kim Bailey, Jamie Snowden and Charlie Longsdon, along with jockeys Kielan Woods, Richie McLernon and Fergal O’Brien’s assistant Charlie St Quinton.  Some interesting info was recorded with Tellherthename, Trelawne and Lark In The Morning amongst those to have a favourable mention.

There is still time to our our Cheltenham Festival tipping competition.  The details are:

Pick your winner of the

Champion Hurdle

Queen Mother Champion Chase

Stayers Hurdle

Gold Cup

and a Wild Card horse.

You will get 10 points for a win, 5 points for second, 3 points for third.  Your wild card selection is for any race at the Festival and points will be gained should it win through it’s starting price.  E.g. 10-1 winner = 10 points.

£5 PER ENTRY – Winner gets 40% of proceeds, second 25%, third 10%, remaining 25% to charity

Email us over your entry to info@richardphillipsracing.com by Monday 11th March to enter.