Thursday 5th March, 2026

Both Manton Road and Baron Wagstaff ran pleasing races this week at Kempton.  Sean Dylan Bowen reported that Manton Road could have done with a faster pace and a return to seven furlongs to be seen at his best.  However he travelled well into the straight and challenged from the two furlong marker to be beaten half a length for third.  We will take him to Lingfield over seven furlongs later in the month in the hope that conditions suit him better.

Baron Wagstaff made a very pleasing debut to finish fourth in the competitive novice stakes last night.  He travelled well into the straight and stayed on nicely in the final furlong and Sean reported he would improve for a step up in trip and thought he had plenty of potential for the future.  Delighted for his owner Turrloo Parrett to be rewarded for his patience with such a promising type and having won ‘best turned out’ he certainly didn’t look out of place against some of the rather more expensive opposition.

We have declared Neeps And Tatties and Six Blue at Hereford on Saturday.  The former ran well to finish fourth at Huntingdon on her handicap debut and she steps up in trip on Saturday in the hope that she settles well.  This well-bred mare certainly has the ability to win races and having run well on the course on her bumper debut, hopefully she has an each-way chance.

Six Blue has been rather too keen in both her bumper runs and on this occasion will wear a hood and a nose net in the hope that she relaxes during the race.  She has certainly shown enough talent at home and with a very nice pedigree, hopefully she will relax better on this occasion.

We have made entries for next week – not at Cheltenham but at Huntingdon with Little Big Kev and Bluenose Belle on Wednesday, who would appreciate the ground drying up further to be seen at their best.

Congratulations to Jo on winning ‘porfolio of the year’ at the NARS Photography Exhibition in Newmarket on Monday evening.  As many will know, Jo is multi-talented and did the beginners equine photography course in the autumn which culminated in the exhibition on Monday.  Well done to Jo and also to NARS for putting on such a brilliant opportunity for racing staff.