Runners Round-Up

It’s been a busy few days for the team at Brough Farm with a number of runners across both codes in the last week….and a few near misses amongst the results!

Following on from Grey Atlantic Grey’s brilliant win at Sedgefield a week ago, Flavius Titus went to Newcastle last Thursday for Div I of the 0-65 Apprentice Handicap over 6f with Aiden Brookes in the saddle.  The combination were always prominent in the chasing group and when ridden from 2f out Flav kept on well inside the final furlong to finish 3rd of the 10 runners. He will most likely step up in trip now and we look forward to getting him out again soon.

The following day Melvich Bay went to Hexham for her racecourse debut in the Open NH Flat Race over 2 miles. With Henry holding her hand for her first day at school, she was nicely settled at the rear & made good headway 4f out when many of the 9 strong field were starting to get to work.

She was disputing the lead from 3f out and thereafter it was a sustained dual to the line in which Melvich Bay was just headed inside the final 100 yards. The winner had the benefit of this being its 3rd bumper run so for a debutante amongst more experienced company, Melvich won herself many admirers for her performance; not just the manner in which she battled but the fact the front two had travelled some way clear of the 3rd horse, in soft conditions, in deciding the outcome of their personal dual. It was a very good start to her career and a personal achievement for Kev who does all her homework & accompanied her on her first outing to a racecourse.

Two days ago Glengarry and Val De Travers made the trip up to Musselburgh. Glengarry ran his usual solid race but the ground had gone too soft for him by race time, albeit he was only beaten just over 6 lengths.

Val De Travers then made his yard debut in Div II of the 0-55 handicap and despite an awkward start and pulling far too hard in the early stages, he was going easily and waiting for room 2f out. Unfortunately the required gap didn’t materialise and Graham Lee had to take the decision to create his own, switching left 1f out whereupon Val De Travers kept on strongly. If only he had a bigger head the 3yr old would have been celebrating his first win as that is all that separated him from 1st place at the line!

Finally Kev & April were back at Newcastle yesterday, this time with Reassurance who was contesting the 0-65 handicap over the long distance flat trip of 2m & 1/2f.

She ran really well back on a sounder surface under Aiden Brookes and finished 6th of the 12 runners, albeit with only 4 & 1/4 lengths covering the first six past the post. We are very much looking forward to a winter campaign on the all-weather with her.

So, despite no wins there are many positives going forward and the team are excited to see what the horses achieve in the coming months; both on the all-weather and as the jumps really begin to get going.

 

End

13/10/21