Monday 20th April, 2026
Willow Edge (pictured) ran a pleasing debut at Stratford yesterday in the two miles mares maiden hurdle. Although a bit of a live wire she behaved herself in the preliminaries, jumped and travelled well before getting outpaced three out, then stayed on again in the straight.
Harry Bannister reported she jumped very well on the whole and would benefit from a bit further in time once she learns to settle. We will hopefully find some safe ground for her in May in order to continue her education.
The Last Drop jumped and travelled very well for most of the way in the three and a quarter mile handicap hurdle. She unfortunately lost both front shoes which may have contributed to her not finishing the race as strongly as we would have hoped. She definitely has the ability to be competitive in such events and we will look for another race for her in the coming weeks.
We have four runners tomorrow at Ffos Las with the ground looking likely to be good to soft, although it maybe sticky. Both Smile Back and Hidden Target run in the 5.12pm – three miles novices handicap hurdle and hopefully the trip should suit both. Harry Bannister rides Smile Back and Gavin Sheehan on Hidden Target.
Swift Jet runs in the three mile handicap chase at 6.42pm with Harry Bannister onboard who won on him over hurdles at Doncaster. Unfortunately he has fallen on both his two chase runs but he jumps very well at home and we are looking for a positive run returning to chasing tomorrow although he does carry top weight.
Neeps And Tatties runs in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle run at 7.42pm with Tom Bellamy onboard. She was a good second over course and distance in her previous racea and is learning to settle and will hopefully have an each-way chance in this contest.
It was great to see Andy Corbett at Exeter races last week, with his old mate David Bass. They both worked for me many years ago and Andy is taking on a great challenge for two excellent charities this month. He is running a total of 351 miles having started on April 1st running one mile, building up to 30 miles on April 30th. He is doing it for the Injured Jockeys Fund and Calvert Devon – a wonderful facility based in Exmoor. Please do support him if you can – details are HERE.
