As the season begins to gather real momentum, with several of our runners stepping forward from recent outings and key spring targets fast approaching. It has been a month of valuable racecourse experience, continued progression across the string, and important preparation for the weeks ahead.

With Aintree and other major fixtures now firmly in sight, the focus within the yards has been on fine-tuning, fitness, and placing each horse to maximum advantage. We are encouraged by how our team has come through their recent assignments and look forward to what promises to be an exciting period for Eventmasters Racing.

Below is the latest news from the yards.

Ain’t That A Shame – Encouraging Return

Ain’t That A Shame made his first appearance in our colours at Kelso Racecourse on 28th February, lining up after a lengthy absence of almost two years from competitive action.

In what was always likely to be an educational run, he travelled with fluency for much of the contest and his jumping was assured throughout. Understandably, fitness told in the closing stages and he tired on the run to the final fence, where he unfortunately came down. He was briefly winded but quickly regained his feet and, pleasingly, has shown no ill effects since.

There were plenty of positives to draw from the performance. The outing will have brought him forward considerably and served its purpose as an important stepping stone towards Aintree or alternative spring targets. After several withdrawals at the most recent Grand National entry stage, he has now fallen to number 42 on the list. Our confidence that he will get a run in the final field of 34 continues to grow.

One key factor remains ground conditions. He has a marked preference for soft terrain, so any rain in the lead up to the race would be a big bonus for him. Encouragingly, his trainer Tom Ellis has said that he has come out of the Kelso race in good order, and we look ahead with cautious optimism.

Four Decades – Switching To Handicaps

Her third start was over hurdles at Catterick on the 4^th of March. She jumped off alertly and soon disputed the lead. Throughout the race she travelled well. However after jumping the third from home and exiting the back straight she began to struggle to maintain her position and faded to finish 6^th. It was a disappointing effort after she had shown notable signs of progress in her previous two starts. She will now be given a break to freshen her up. Perhaps softer conditions will see her in a better light and hopefully she can return to showing improvement on her next outing.

Soldi Makes Her Racing Debut

This beautiful filly by Capri out of New Money, made her debut for us at Catterick on the 4^th of March. She showed experience beyond her years in the preliminaries, taking the pre-parade ring, paddock and the journey to the start in her stride. She jumped off and jockey Brian Hughes tried to get her onto the best ground possible, as it was very soft in most places and he didn’t want her to get too much kickback from the other horses, especially considering it was her first racecourse experience. She travelled well but was caught unawares when her rivals quickened turning for home. She will have undoubtedly learnt a lot from the run. Boasting a lovely staying pedigree, we are looking forward to seeing her progress on the racetrack.

Vaguely Royal – Signs of Improvement

On his third start for Ian Williams At Southwell on the 4^th March he showed notable improvement. The slow start that bugged him in his previous two races was replaced with an alert break from the stalls. He travelled beautifully under Edward Greatrex. Shaken up in the straight, he was a little tapped for toe, but despite this battled all the way to the line and despite finishing 6^th was only beaten just over 2 lengths, much his best effort for his current trainer. His jockey really enjoyed the feel that he gave him and we feel optimistic that he can get closer to that winners’ enclosure race by race. He is now being aimed at a run at Lingfield on Friday 3rd April, with preparations continuing smoothly in the lead-up. The team has been pleased with his recent work and he appears to be in excellent order, both physically and mentally, as he builds towards his next outing.

While this race will represent a competitive assignment, he has previously performed well at Lingfield and connections are hopeful he can produce a strong showing. We look forward to seeing him back in action and taking another step forward.

Sold Out – Consistency Continues

After his breakthrough win last month and subsequent fourth at Lingfield, he returned to Newcastle on the 6^th of March. Stevie Donohoe was back on board. He broke alertly and took the lead in his customary style. He was headed two furlongs from home, but despite this, battled on gamely all the way to the line. Missing out on third place by only a neck, he finished a gallant fourth. He was quickly back in action on the 16^th March at Wolverhampton. As always, he broke well under Stevie Donohoe. This time though, Stevie decided not to push for the lead, instead settling him in a prominent position in the slipstream of the leaders. At the furlong marker he pushed the button and the horse kept on without making a telling impression to finish 5^th. Post-race we discovered that he had lost his right-fore shoe, which will have undoubtedly affected his performance and explains why he didn’t quicken as rapidly as is normally the case. On the 26^th March he returned to front-running tactics under Billy Loughnane over 1m at Southwell. He set steady fractions and ran well for a huge part of the race before being headed over a furlong out and fading into sixth position. Hopefully he can return to the consistency that he has shown in his previous starts. If he does, then he’ll have a great chance at ending up back in that winners’ enclosure.

Swinging London – Returns To The Flat

After a decent winter jumps campaign, in which he ran consistently throughout, he returned to the level on the 10^th of March at Southwell over 1m6f. Stevie Donohoe took the ride and settled him nicely in the middle of what was a small field of runners. Entering the straight he was travelling really well, evidently relishing the return to the tapeta. He quickly made rapid headway to dispute the lead two furlongs out. Stevie then asked him for his effort and he put his head into the lead. Battling all the way to the line, he faded inside the final few yards to be beaten by only 2 lengths, another great effort. This run will have sharpened him up immensely for a return to flat racing and we look forward to seeing our all-weather specialist back in action soon.

Mary – Return to Action Draws Closer

Mary continues to make pleasing progress in her work and is building up steadily as her preparation advances. She is reported to be in good form at home, with her training moving in the right direction.

Looking ahead, the aim will be to start identifying suitable race opportunities in the coming weeks, with a view to placing her where she can continue to develop and be seen to best effect.

Nathaniel filly update

Our athletic Nathaniel x Mayfair Music filly who was acquired for us last May by Simon Christian at the Goffs Spring Store Sale in Doncaster, is developing nicely at Tom Ellis Racing and was taken to Chaddesley Corbett on the 24^th of March for an exercise gallop which served as an important part of her continuing education. She will now most likely be put away for the rest of the season, giving her further time to strengthen physically.

Ladies Day on Target for Aintree

Ladies Day also travelled to Chaddesley Corbett the same day as our Nathaniel filly and her trainer Tom Ellis was very pleased with her work. The form of her second place finish on her most recent start at Huntingdon has taken a significant boost, with the horse that beat her that day, Ti’mamzel, recently bolting up by six and a half lengths in a Listed Race at Sandown. She is being aimed at the Grade 2 Nickel Coin Mares’ Bumper on the 9^th of April at Aintree, which is the last race on the first day of the Grand National meeting. Traditionally one of, if not the most competitive mares’ bumpers of the season, we know that the competition will be red hot but at the same time are pleased with the way that our mare is developing and remain excited about her.

As we move into the heart of the spring season, there is plenty to look forward to, with several of our horses building towards major upcoming targets and strengthening valuable fitness along the way. The hard work of our trainers and their teams continues to be reflected in their progress, and we are excited about what the coming weeks may bring.