A sweet tune from Fiddlers Bow & Weapon chooses racing

Fiddlers Bow and Weapon Of Choice returned to the track at Cartmel yesterday to make their first appearance for the yard, and after a racing absence of 239 days & 321 days respectively.

Field mates, and often work mates at home too, the pair travelled up well and seemed none too fazed on arrival by the carnival atmosphere that constitutes a typical Bank Holiday race meeting at this unique course.

Running for Mervyn & Jen Buckley (in Mervyn’s colours) and the Brough Farm Racing Partnership, Fiddlers was the first one in action in the 3m1f handicap chase.

Having been advised by Kev when they left the stable yard for the long lead-up across the course to the parade ring that he should simply think of it as a “busy point to point” he maintained his composure admirably past the packed in-field of happy picnickers and full size fun fair.

Henry (Brooke) bounced Fiddlers out handily in 3rd and he showed what a scopey horse he is from the outset, with some prodigious jumps, and making up lengths on his rivals on some occasions, throughout the 18 fences.

Henry let him go on to lead four out and although he was headed at the second last, he was upsides for the lead again at the final fence. Having not gone in excess of three miles since his two point to point runs four years ago, and returning from a considerable break, Fiddlers was perfectly entitled to tire on the long 3f run-in but although the front two had pulled ahead he kept on easily for 3rd place, some 11 lengths clear of the fourth horse.

Although not all of the Brough Farm Racing Partnership were in attendance, they were definitely there in spirit, and everyone was absolutely delighted with the performance. Mervyn & Jen and Chris & Catherine, who were able to make the trip, enjoyed hearing Henry’s de-brief and plans for this big horse who shows such class & presence. The biggest dilemma was who got the Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding which was awarded to the connections of each of the placed horses…..

Next up in the last race of the day (a 2m1f “hands and heels” handicap hurdle for Conditional & Amateur jockeys) was Weapon Of Choice – a lovely horse who rivals Copt Hill to be the apple of Kev’s eye! Having had his issues when he first arrived, the 10 year old has been given plenty of time before being asked to show what he can produce and the patience was rewarded with a fine run under amateur rider Danny McMenamin. A decent pace had the nine runners fairly strung out but Danny had Weapon in touch just behind the leading group and the pair made good headway before two out. Although slightly outpaced thereafter against race-fit rivals, he nonetheless stayed on gamely for a clear 4th place, only seven lengths off the winner, and showing everyone that he is definitely still a racehorse.

As Weapon is owned by Julia, Fiddlers’ connections were able to enjoy lending their support and having made the winners enclosure, it at least ended the Sticky Toffee Pudding dilemma when one was awarded for the second time that day!

Fiddlers Bow enjoying a chill out this morning

26/08/18