Club News

The latest news from the Club

Club runners this week

04 January 2018

The Club hasn't had too many runners recently, but BARDD bids to follow up his recent win at Chelmsford three weeks ago when lining up in a Novice Stakes race at Kempton on Thursday night. Bardd became disappointing over hurdles for champion trainer, Nicky Henderson, who decided perhaps he wasn't seeing out the distance over obstacles. Despite always making the frame, Bardd failed to get his head in front after winning a Sandown bumper a year ago, hence his switch to the Flat.

Bardd made a winning debut at the Essex venue under all-weather king, Luke Morris, who suggested stepping the strong-topped gelding up to two miles when the opportunity arises. Having run just once to date, Bardd must contest another Flat race before he can run in a handicap, hence he must drop back to 1m4f tomorrow. He has the 92-rated Night Of Glory to beat, who has some very decent form at Listed level and looks to be the stand-out horse in the race. We wish Luke and Nicky the best of luck at Kempton tomorrow.

On Saturday, Man Of Harlech makes his long awaited return to the track following an eighteen-month absence. He lines up for a mile conditions race at Lingfield under Adam Kirby in his first race for Epsom trainer, Jim Boyle, who has produced some great results with older horses the Club has sent him in the past decade. Man Of Harlech had a chronic foot issue after running in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot in 2016, when trained at Kingsclere by Andrew Balding. It has been a long, slow road to recovery for the Club's homebred, and Jim says naturally Man Of Harlech should improve for the run after such a long break. We just hope he can show some promise and return home safely, in which case there could be some decent races to be won with him in the future.

Volcanic was our most recent runner and he finished an excellent third at Musselburgh's New Year's Day meeting. He was gaining on the leaders all the way to the line to produce another fine effort against younger, improving horses. The Club stalwart deserves to get his head in front soon after two very positive runs, following a long break.