By Emma Forman
I have been talking to a number of jockeys ahead of the Belvoir meeting on Sunday; here is what they had to say about their season so far and prospects of a winner at the weekend.
Dicky Collinson
“I’ve had a quiet start to the season but it is now picking up nicely; I’ve had 7 winners so far. I am lucky to be sponsored by my brother and sister-in-law’s pub that I am silent in! It’s at Ickleton by Duxford and a great place for food! I have two rides for Andrew Pennock on Sunday hopefully; King’s High and Haughton’s Bridge. King’s High runs in the Open which looks a hot race, but he is in good form so we are hopeful. I’ve thought a lot of the Maiden Haughton’s Bridge all winter and I have high hopes for him.”
Sam Davies –Thomas
“I am sponsored by EQmach Equine Supplement this year. While I have been short of quantity the quality of my rides have been good so far this season. I’ve had 5 winners in total including a first ever treble at Charing which was unfortunately followed by a schooling fall which resulted in a broken collar bone and this has kept me out of action for three weeks. I am fit now though and have two rides so far on Sunday both for Tommy Morgan. I ride Shutthebackdoor in the Restricted; he won his Maiden at Charing and I think he will have come on for the run, he jumps and stays well. I have Stillwater Cove in the Maiden; he has to be the most frustrating horse so far but I haven’t written him off yet as I know how good Tom and Lizzie are at getting horses heads right at home so I wouldn’t be surprised if they manage to sort him out in the end. I also hope that Lough Inch runs well again as I owe that horse a lot and I am very jealous of Kelly riding him!”
Claire Hart
“I have had 8 winners so far this season including 3 in Hunter Chases on Palypso De Creek. Last weekend was a good one for me as I won on both Dabinett Moon and Kazuri Kate. I am generously sponsored by Equi-Flo this season. Palypso De Creek will run in the Mixed Open on Sunday if we get significant rain but Mike also has His Excellency and Minella Class entered. I would think Minella Class will run if it doesn’t rain enough for Paxo. He ran fifth in a Conditions race and goes on any ground. I only have the one ride at the moment but I always look forward to coming to Garthorpe and need to ride some winners there so that I can hang on to my Leading Lady rider trophy from last season!”
Kelly Morgan
“This season I have only had one ride so far (due to injury) which luckily was a winner on Lough Inch at the last Garthorpe meeting. This brought my tally to 6 wins in total; one under rules and 5 pointing. Hopefully I will have plenty more rides to come now including Lough Inch again on Sunday in either the Novice riders’ race or the Club Members. He seemed to enjoy himself round there last time and I’m not going to lie he practically bolted from start to finish; I was merely a passenger! A repeat of that would be very nice. I am very grateful for my sponsor; Static Security Services Ltd – Dave Cook’s company; he has been a great supporter of the family; he sponsors me and Tommie O’Brien my sister Laura’s boyfriend.”
Tom Strawson
“The season has started slowly for me but I have had two winners and there are plenty of horses that haven’t run yet; I am looking forward to riding a few this weekend and over Easter. My sponsors are AGHAUL Ltd Haulage Contractors who are very generous and have been lucky for me. On Sunday I expect to have 5 rides; I hopefully ride Gonalston Cloud for Roger Jackson in the Intermediate; I can’t wait to ride him and any rain will be to his advantage. Galant Nuit runs in the Mixed Open; he has improved with every race this season. He has had a different routine now which has included quite a bit of hunting and a lot of the credit goes to Yaz Eagle who rides him most days; he has been her project. We have Tomstar and Over The Thyme entered but we may wait with them and go to Dingley on Easter Saturday. In the Open Maiden I ride No Alterations for Victoria Cottingham and Jane Kent. He is a 7 year old who showed promise when finishing third in Ireland. Finally I ride Port Golan in the short Maiden for Roger Jackson; he schooled well last week and we will see how he goes.”