HARRY WHITTINGTON BLOG: Grade One-winning trainer and ambassador for market-leading betting exchange BETDAQ, looks ahead to his runners over the next few days, including the return of stable star Saint Calvados.
I couldn’t have been much happier with Anemoi at Ascot on Saturday considering how green he was.
He’s got loads to learn and I don’t think he enjoyed it much going down the hill, but he saw it out really well and I’m really hopeful there’s plenty more to come from him.
Gavin [Sheehan] thinks we should stick to two miles for the time being and I think that’s what we’ll do. We haven’t got any immediate plans yet, but he’s a really exciting prospect and it’s great for the yard to have a big Saturday winner.
We were obviously disappointed with Simply The Betts’ run later on the card. I must admit we went there pretty bullish about his chances, but he didn’t run up to the level that we know he can.
It was a bit of a head-scratcher to be honest, Gavin said he didn’t appreciate galloping down the hill and he never really got back into it from there.
We’re still learning plenty about the horse, so it’s not panic stations by any stretch and I think we’ll step him up in trip next time.
Although he was well-beaten, I’m sure he’ll bounce back.
I was pretty pleased with Lantiern’s debut in the closing bumper on the Ascot card.
We were hoping for a bit more of an end-to-end gallop which was the reason we ran him at the track. However, they didn’t go quick at the beginning of the race and it turned into a bit of a sprint which didn’t really suit our lad.
He’s a really likeable horse and he’ll come on heaps for the experience. I’m pretty confident he’ll be winning races before the season’s out.
Another one of ours who ran well was Jammy George at Chepstow on Wednesday.
He’s a big, big horse and is a chaser in the making so it’s a bit of a bonus whatever he does over hurdles.
The horse that beat us is pretty well-regarded, so I think the form of the race should work out well.
Naas the plan for Calvados
We have decided to run Saint Calvados in the Poplar Square Chase (2.15pm) at Naas on Saturday.
He had the option at Navan on Sunday, but with this race being for second season chasers, we think it’s the right one for him.
We are really looking forward to running him, he’s in fantastic form at home and I couldn’t be happier with him ahead of his first run of the season.
We all know the ability he has, so we’re very lucky to have a horse of his calibre in the yard.
Another one we are excited about getting out is Djin Conti, who goes in the handicap hurdle (2.30pm) at Warwick on Friday.
He’s had just the three runs and we gave him a long break since his win at Wincanton in May meaning he’s really fresh ahead of running here.
I’m hopeful he’s well-handicapped and I’d like to think he goes there with a good chance.
I haven’t made my mind up yet as to where we’re going to run Indieburg.
It will be his first run for us, but we think there’s plenty of ability there and it’s just about finding the right race for him.
Rouge Vif is another one of ours who has multiple entries and we haven’t finalised exactly where he’ll go.
We were a bit disappointed with him at Newton Abbot, but he should come on plenty for that and I’m hopeful he’ll leave that previous run behind him.
HARRY