Warren Greatrex column featuring Jammin Masters and Western Ryder
Jammin Masters has his conditions at Ascot on Saturday and Warren Greatrex brings us up to speed with the team.
Looking back…
North Star Oscar – 2nd, Uttoxeter, December 11
Full result and free video replay
He ran well, it's just Harry Fry seems to have a serious bunch of bumper horses this year and he got done for toe by a clearly very useful Flat-bred horse. He stuck at it and he’ll probably go hurdling next. It was a shame we bumped into one but he has a bright future and I'd have thought two and a half miles might be his bag when he's jumping.
Theatre Territory – 4th, Cheltenham, December 14
Full result and free video replay
I was disappointed as she got beaten again and we probably paid for going with Cogry, who is a hard horse to go with when he’s in the mood. In hindsight maybe we could have tucked her in a bit but she ran well for a long way. We'll head to Doncaster on January 9 now and try and get a win into her. It'll be three miles but I'm dying to get her head in front as we all believe in her still.
Keeper Hill – 2nd, Cheltenham, December 14
Full result and free video replay
It was great to see him bounce right back at Cheltenham and he ran a cracker in defeat. He's only up 3lb for that run which seems reasonable. The ground on the Friday was quick enough and slower conditions would have helped his cause I suspect. He might go now to Pertemps qualifier at Musselburgh in February. He's shown he handles Cheltenham well and on the back of that improved effort at the weekend there’s every chance he could take another leap forward.
Star Of Lanka – 1st, Hereford, December 15
Full result and free video replay
It wasn’t ideal as he got messed around during the race but, having cruised through the race the time before, it was good for him to show different attributes this time and he did well to win. I was looking at the Leamington Spa as a potential target but he's been given a mark of 128 and we may now look at the Lanzarote. He could be very interesting in that handicap.
Western Ryder – 3rd, Cheltenham, December 15
Full result and free video replay
We're definitely thinking about running this weekend. We wouldn’t want the ground too soft but he's come out of the race well and there’s every chance we could take our chance in the Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot. I feel it was his best run ever as he stayed on strongly. Ascot would arguably suit him better and he'd be well in at the weights having gone up 5lb on Tuesday. We would possibly think about claiming off him as well with Harry Teal so that's another thing to consider. I was surprised at how well backed he was in the International but it taught us a lot and we can clearly compete at that kind of level - we're not out of the realms anyway. He jumped very well, did miss the second last but ran on strongly.
Petticoat Tails – 3rd, Cheltenham, December 15
Full result and free video replay
I think she needs three miles now, they put her up another 1lb but she's still improving. She’s run two races where she's shown she wants three miles and we'll probably go to Ascot now on January 19 for a Grade Two that we won with La Bague Au Roi.
The week ahead…
Emitom
NR - Newbury, Wednesday
His scope wasn't quite good enough having had him checked out and it wasn't worth risking him at Newbury this week. It would have been interesting to see how he got on but his scope just wasn’t quite right. We’ll have a look at some other races for him and he'll have an entry in the Challow, but I wouldn't commit him to that at this stage and there will be options going forward.
Ector
He's been a slow burner, but I think the trip will suit. It could be later down the line when he really comes into his own. He's disappointed me a little bit but he'll be okay.
Bodes Well
I’m taking a bit of a punt with him. It’s a valuable handicap and it’s worth a go for the prize money. He’s in a racing club and it’ll be good for them to run here. I expect he'll improve for the step up to a mile and six furlongs.
Little Jack
I'd say this race would be likely unless we wait for something later on. He came out of Market Rasen very well and the form looks good with the way it's working out. I'd like to think he'll run well. He can get himself a little worked up but we'll look after him.
Roccowithlove
He's bred to stay but has been a slow burner and has disappointed us a bit. Gavin (Sheehan) liked him at Ascot and there will be races for him.
Encore Champs
It looks a warm race. He’s a horse I do like a lot and we’ll keep an eye on the weather as he wouldn’t want it really testing but I'm excited about what the future holds for him and it'll be interesting to see how he goes if we dip his toe in at this sort of level.
Jammin Masters
The form is out there for all to see (second to subsequent Cheltenham winner Count Meribel at Carlisle) and he ran a blinder over a trip short of his best on ground quicker than he ideally likes. We've been waiting for soft ground with him and he's only the one run for me over fences as he came from the point-to-point scene. He seems in great form and I think Gavin Sheehan will ride. In a race that has cut up a bit, he’d probably be my best chance of a weekend winner which would be nice.
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