Thursday 16th April, 2026

Manalishi was an excellent second in the maiden hurdle at Market Rasen on Tuesday.  On the whole he jumped and travelled well behind the leaders before staying on nicely after the last to confirm the promise he has shown on his two previous starts.

Winning ‘best turned out,’ a prize our yard appear to win quite often, many people commented on how well he looked.  His owners have been extremely patient with him as he has had various unlucky niggles but hopefully they will be rewarded as he has plenty of ability.  We will see how he comes out of it and what rain we get over the coming weeks before deciding on his next outing.

Dora Vita was drawn wide at Lingfield and Rab Havlin admitted that he probably should have dropped her in rather than join the leaders early on in the one mile handicap.  Although there appeared to be not much pace on, eventually there was probably too much and she faded in the straight.  In future we will drop her in and hopefully the handicapper will also show some leniency.  Dora has shown plenty of promise previously and will I am sure be competitive again very soon.

Baron Wagstaff showed good early speed behind the leaders at Southwell last night, wowever the leaders quickened away from him in the straight and plenty of winners will come out of the event.  He will have a handicap mark following this effort and now is the right time to geld him as he is getting quite top heavy and still growing and maturing.

I am sure once in handicap company he will join his other siblings in winning races in the future.

Elfride is declared at Exeter tomorrow in the three mile handicap hurdle where hopefully the ground will be good.  She may well have been in season the last time she ran and will have come on for that outing.  Harry Atkins rides and claims seven pounds and with this being her second run following a wind operation we are hopeful that she will run with credit as she has shown form on the track in the past.

With plenty of rain at Ffos Las, we have entries there on Tuesday for Smile Back, Neeps And Tatties, Swift Jet and Hidden Target should the ground suit.