Alfie’s Princess heads to Market Rasen on Tuesday as she bids to gain more valuable Black Type in the Listed Alan Swinbank Mares’ Bumper which is live on Racing TV at 3:45pm.
Trained in Cardiff by Sam Thomas, the daughter of Shirocco was purchased by Potter Group at the Cheltenham Point to Point Sale in March last year having been an impressive winner of her only start between the flags in Ireland and she is a mare we hold in quite high regard.
There is the small matter of Queens Gamble in the field which will make things hard for all of the runners but Alfie’s Princess was an extremely promising second on her debut for us at Huntingdon in December and we’d like to think she’s improved a bit since then; although we’re under no illusions as to the potential quality of many others in the race and we will be absolutely delighted if she can finish in the money.
It’s a fantastic contest to be involved in and Market Rasen should be commended for getting the race on after losing it twice due to the dreaded frost. Pattern races such as these are extremely important for all owners, and in particular breeders, so we’re keeping everything crossed she puts up a good performance and, more importantly, comes back safe and sound.
Potter Power
In other news, Our Power has been given an entry in the Grand National and is coming along nicely after having some time off due to a leg injury which forced him to miss the Coral Gold Cup (Hennessy) in November. But the good news is that everything is going swimmingly and he could return in the race formerly known as the Racing Post Chase at Kempton on 25th February.
It hasn’t been plain sailing for Stolen Silver who, mainly due to the weather, hasn’t been seen since running a great race at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, but he’s been given an entry in the valuable H’cap Chase at Warwick on Saturday along with the G1 Ascot Chase the following week.
Thankfully the Canter Carpet gallop has meant that, during these horrible cold snaps, none of our horses have missed a beat when it comes to training which is a massive help when the weather tries to have other ideas!
Back in Business
Mister Fisher, who carries the famililar silks of James and Jean Potter Ltd, has had his palate cauterised and after a very short break to recover, the seven-time winner has resumed light exercise and Nicky Henderson will gradually step up his work towards the end of the month ahead of a spring campaign where we hope he will be able to get his career back on track. We’re certainly not giving up on him because when he’s good, he’s very, very good!
There are a few Bunper horses to get out including Moon Lady who is based at Seven Barrows and is reportedly showing plenty on the gallops at home. She’s by Yorton Stud sire Pethers Moon out of the well bred Lady Beaufort and is due to make her debut in the Bumper at Huntingdon on Thursday.
Spring Gale is a gorgeous daughter by Blue Bresil ex Sting In The Gale (whose dam was Potters Gale) and she is ready to run for Henry Daly so keep an eye out for her over the next week to ten days.
Recent Ludlow winner Egbert has possible targets and Sandown on 16th and Fakenham the 17th and we’ll leave any running decisions to his trainer Alan King.
Arini is now with Tom Gretton and will make her debut for the Worcestershire handler within the next week
Exelerator Express (Potter Group) has arrived back at Neil Mulholland’s and is slowly returning to full training after an enforced absence. He likes fast ground so has plenty of options during the summer, not just in England but further afield as well if we desire.
