(Firth of Forth when he first joined us - he's done a lot of work since!)
We were really disappointed with Here Comes The Man at Ayr on Tuesday. Although Irish pointers very often take a season when they come over here, I really thought we'd given this horse enough time and that everything, including the rain on the day, was in his favour.
There were no real hard luck stories, he was perhaps a little too keen, but really he ought to have picked up better. And whilst it's hugely disappointing for all of us, we have to just believe in him (which I do) and put a line through this and look forward to his hurdling campaign in the autumn. Plenty of good horses have been beaten in bumpers and we hope this will be the case for him!
Style Nelson was also very disappointing and will not be running for us again. A classic morning glory horse who goes great at home and did show glimmers on the track, but has now gone backwards.
Onwards and upwards we hope and looking forward to DO NOT DISTURB (1.55) at Kelso today. He ran a blinder at Perth, and if only 2 weeks later, he can reproduce that form he ought to run another big race. He certainly seems great at home anyway.
We also run FIRTH OF FORTH (4.35) in the bumper. He made a really pleasing debut there a few weeks ago finishing a strong 2nd. Our brilliant owners (and Kelso chairman) the Hunters then bought him, so I hope he will run well for them again.
He's still quite green, so we thought another bumper would be good for him mentally and then he can enjoy a nice summer at grass. That's just what Here Comes the Man needs as well I'd say.