Get With It and Cliff having a pep talk before heading to Perth
We have been spectators this week tuning into the top-class flat action at Royal Ascot where there has been some fantastic sport and plenty of amazing horses on show. Cliffs of Dooneen, who runs for us at Perth today, actually ran at the meeting two years ago in the Ascot Stakes when trained by Ralph Beckett. Maybe we’ll look at having a runner in one of the long-distance races one of these days - it would be great fun!
It was away from the television and into the lorry this morning, though, to head north with two runners up at Perth.
GET WITH IT (2.17) has a bit to prove these days, really, after some indifferent runs. He went off favourite here last time for his first chase but was really disappointing finishing ninth, even though he jumped well. Craig didn’t pull him up when he looked beaten because it wasn’t like he just emptied, he was just pretty flat and it was all a bit puzzling.
We have decided to step him up to three miles now and see how he gets on over the longer trip. He used to be a really keen horse but he settles better now so hopefully that works and he will run well. The one bit of form we have to look back on is Newcastle in March, so the hope remains there is some ability there - but it’s high time he started showing it more often. So far he’s been a disappointing horse compared to what we thought we had originally, maybe that will change today though.
CLIFF (2.52) is our other runner on the card and has good recent form to bring into this race. He ran very well here the last time, finishing second behind an impressive winner. He’s won once this season, on handicap debut at Carlisle, and if he keeps his form he should have a decent chance today.
Olly Murphy brings one up and it looks like one to beat, having won over course and distance last month. He seems the obvious danger but hopefully we will be competitive and give them something to think about.
We’re keen to get the first winner on the board for the new season, albeit we have only had a limited amount of runners, so it would be great for that to happen this afternoon.
Ready to hit the road