Thoughts on Fireback at Epsom, New Arrivals

Fireback has been declared to run in the 5.25 at Epsom on Saturday – Derby day. Mickael Barzalona fresh from his win for us on Tuesday is in the saddle for us once again. It promises to be a very exciting day for us, taking a horse to the biggest stage for the first time, even if it is for one of the lesser races. The race itself looks wide open and there are arguments to be made for any number of horses, Baldermar is likely to be a major player having excellent course and distance form if he can put a couple of more disappointing recent efforts behind him. Swiss Cross who won the race last year has to be respected for his new connections. Lui Rey is the classiest horse in the race but shoulders a big weight. Fireback could probably be a bit better drawn than he is in stall 10. We would liked to have a got a run into him before coming here. He had a long break over the winter and took a little while to come to hand, having the odd niggle as one would expect in an older horse. He has shown up well in his work at home. He looks fit and seems to need relatively little work, his heart rate readings indicative of a reasonably fit horse albeit with some room for improvement. Despite the fact he has won over six he looks more lean than one would expect for a sprinter – his physique is probably more that of a miler and its possible we may look to try him over further in time. We will learn plenty more about him on Saturday and if he can pick up some prize money it would be a real bonus. There are still shares available more details can be found here.

We collected a couple of two year olds from their owners farm yesterday afternoon, both look like they shouldn’t take too long to come to hand. A Septieme Ciel filly out a mare called First Candlelight, who won at two and is also the dam of the smart two year old Talley Close. The second is a colt by Tobougg out an Emarati mare called Lady Emm.

Leanne George, our physiotherapist working on Fireback to have him spot on for Saturday. Leanne trained as a human physiotherapist before going on to train at the Royal Veterinary College specialising in animal physiotherapy ,she is part of the world renowned Amanda Sutton’s practice – more details can be found here.