GO RONNIE!
Synchronist (aka Ronnie) won the 2 mile handicap steeplechase at Southwell on 3 March in the colours of the Go Ronnie Syndicate and did so in great style. Ridden by Sean Bowen in his handicap debut, Ronnie jumped beautifully and travelled prominently and well throughout the race, just needing to be encouraged by a shake of the reins rounding the final bend into the home straight. He responded well and, with two superb jumps at the final fences, pulled away to win by over 3 lengths. It was another excellent display of race-riding by Sean who was most complimentary about Ronnie who he says will improve again when he goes novice chasing. It has taken a while for the penny to drop for Ronnie but he clearly enjoyed winning and he shows exciting promise for the future.
On the same card, My Dream (aka Maggie) ran in the 2 1/2 mile novice hurdle, which was her first race since last June. Tabitha Worsley loved the way she jumped and travelled through the race but said that she had been left rather short of room on the turn into the home straight. Maggie then took a deep breath, which was not surprisingly as she hadn’t raced for 9 months, but then showed a great attitude and ran on strongly through the line. She should receive a handicap mark shortly and will then have better opportunities to shine – and, as Tabitha said, “there is lots to like about Maggie and her prospects”!
Another Mystery (aka Scooby) was third in a 2 mile 3 furlong handicap chase at Doncaster on 2 March. This was Scooby’s first run for over 9 months and he was ridden by James Bowen. Turning in, he looked to have every chance of winning and his jumping had improved throughout the race and his rivals were beginning to look under pressure. Unfortunately, he met the third last fence on a bad stride and, despite James asking him for a long one, Scooby put in an extra stride and hit the top of the fence. That caused him to lose momentum and slightly took the stuffing out of him. He gathered himself and jumped the last two fences well and ran on through the line but it was too late to catch the first two and so James was easy on him. James said that the race will have blown away the cobwebs and set him up well for his next run when James said that he would love to ride him again and that, ridden prominently, his jumping would put his rivals under significant pressure. Although a win would have been very welcome, this was a good run and a win should follow soon!
This photograph of Scooby is courtesy of Nigel Kirby Photography:
