Limbering up in the indoor school
Hermann Clermont returns to Kelso tomorrow and it would be fair to say he’s got a bit to prove after three non-completions in a row. We gave him a wind operation before his latest run at Perth a few weeks ago where he was competitive until three out before fading. Often horses take a run to fully realise their breathing is easier, so we were not hard on him and we’re hoping he will be better this time around on his second start.
He’s a lovely horse who I think just has a bit going on in his head sometimes, so what we need is to see is that in a better place. If he can break through that mental barrier and follow through in his races, we’re in no doubt he’s got plenty of ability. He runs over the 2m5f this week, having won at 3m in the past, but he’s got the pace and travelling speed to deal with it.
The handicapper has given Hermann a fair bit of respite, dropping him 8lbs so he’s able to get into this 0-115, so hopefully that will aid his chances. He’s performed well at Kelso before, finishing second there back in the spring and was running a nice race when badly hampered just a few weeks later too.
Since joining us, he’s run pretty much exclusively on good ground so we’ll have to keep an eye on the rain that’s forecast over the next 24 hours. He did finish second at Perth on soft in the past, so that gives us something to think about if conditions do get a bit muddy, but we definitely wouldn’t want too much rain to come.