Trainer Talk - Tommy Morgan

By Emma Forman

This is the first of a new series this year; I will be chatting to a trainer or jockey prior to each of the Garthorpe meetings to give punters an insight into their chances at the weekend. This week Waltham- on- the- Wolds trainer Tommy Morgan takes us through his plans for the Cottesmore meeting on Sunday.

Lough Inch- “Lough Inch is entered in the Garthorpe Hunts Member’s race and the Novice riders’ race but he will most likely run in the first option and Kelly (my sister) will ride. He’s an eight year old now and he has had one run early on at Cottenham but is now fully tuned up and well. I just hope that he will handle Garthorpe with the undulations, he wants better ground but we hope to run him throughout the season at the course. He’s a horse with a high cruising speed and doesn’t find much off the bridle but we are hopeful of a good run and the ground is drying out now which will suit.”

Smith’s Hill – “Smith’s Hill is owned by Tim Rogers, he is an intended runner in the PPORA Club Member’s race and again Kelly will ride. Now an 11 year old, this horse has his own ideas about racing and we keep changing the headgear; he’ll probably run in blinkers on Sunday. You can expect to see Kelly bounce him out in front; this is the best way to ride him as he can give up if he gets behind. Again we are hopeful of a good run; it just depends who else turns up!”

Shutthebackdoor – “Shutthebackdoor is a half- brother to Shutthefrontdoor, a fancy for the Grand National and possibly A.P. McCoy’s last ride! He won his Maiden at Charing in a manner that shocked me as he had shown very little at home. This was part of a treble for our stable jockey Sam Davies-Thomas who unfortunately broke his collar bone schooling an unraced mare at Newmarket on Sunday so he is out of action and we haven’t completely decided who will ride. We hope that this horse can progress this Sunday in Restricted company.”

Dave The Dauphin – “We have also entered Joan Tice’s Teeton Kato in the Maiden but I don’t think he will run. Dave The Dauphin is an intended runner and is owned by Mick and Elaine Holmes. He finished well down the field when running in a Bumper for Mike Sowersby so it is pleasantly surprising how well this 6 year old is going at home and he has schooled well. He can be a little bit awkward to ride but hopefully he will learn a bit from the run, again riding plans have yet to be finalised.

Many thanks to Tommy Morgan.

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