The Racing Horse was privileged to attend Chepstow Races yesterday and help promote the fabulous work of The SILK SERIES (Pioneering Sportswomen. Inspiring Achievement. A race series for female jockeys across 15 British racecourses.  Showcasing talent and supporting Cancer Research UK).

The Silk Series returned in 2021 on Saturday 8 May at Ascot, having taken a break in 2020, and the 15-race programme will culminate once again with the final at Doncaster in September. Once again, The Silk Series award points for jockeys based on their finishing positions within the programme, and the jockey receiving the most points will receive The Tufnell Trophy at Doncaster's prestigious Cazoo St Leger Festival in September.

Perfect Sign gave signs of unruliness 

Before racing we lost two entries so six were sent to post, but even before the race could commence there was drama! The 3yo filly Perfect Sign was showing signs of unruliness in the paddock but Georgia Dobie skilfully got her onto the track and down to the post. Her filly then reared up in the stalls and with the saddle slipping trapped the  jockey in the stalls, but both emerged unscathed except for a black eye for Georgia. Then, Ooh Is It refused to go into the stalls leaving a field of four to run in his decent class 4 race and this was a shame for owners, trainers and jockeys and of course the public!

  Trainer Tony Carroll and jockey Mollie Phillips in tremendous form

Trainer Tony Carroll  has been in fabulous form recently with the last 14 days showing 10 winners from 51 runners for 20%, this is double his national average of 10%. He had asked Under Curfew to back up quickly and extend his winning run to 4. It was an excellent performance and he was beautifully ridden by the in form apprentice Mollie Phillips with her mount staying on to lead well inside the final furlong to win by a length. Apprentice jockey Mollie Phillips told us: "He's a little superstar. We thought that it would be a tough ask given how hard a race he had when winning two days ago, but he's so game and genuine."

The jockey/trainer combination now show some fabulous numbers with 16 wins from 87 for 18% and a level stake profit of +35.20.

Leaderboard

1 Jane Elliott:   52
2 Hollie Doyle:   36
3 Hayley Turner:  32
4 Joanna Mason:   28
5 Ella McCain:    20
5 Morgan Cole:    20
5 Megan Nicholls: 20
5 Saffie Osborn:  20

Future fixtures
York:          Friday   23 July      2021
Newcastle:     Saturday 24 July      2021
Windsor:       Monday   26 July      2021
Hamilton:      Saturday 31 July      2021
Brighton:      Thursday  5 August    2021
Lingfield:     Tuesday  10 August    2021
Wolverhampton: Friday   13 August    2021
Doncaster:     Thursday  9 September 2021

Hollies scores number 102 for the season at Chepstow

The Racing Horse was delighted to meet Hollie Doyle (and Tom Marquand) before racing at Chepstow. Her ride on Secret Handsheikh confirmed our suspicions before racing, in that he had either gone off the boil or was not enjoying racing anymore, he was never competitive at any stage. Hollie did not have to wait long before she rode her next winner in the very next race on Tawaafoq at 11/1, making it 102 winners for the season, and the first jockey this year to pass 100 winners. What an athlete and a future champion?

There was some disappointment with the run of First Connection for Charlie Fellowes in the Class 4 aqualityservice.co.uk handicap run over 1m2f. Clearly the Gleneagles colt failed to give his running and the form is best ignored. TRH had considered the colt's 8 week absence but this looked a great opportunity on his handicap debut. We were lucky to speak to Tom Marquand before racing and he was VERY hopeful, and did not think the ground would be a problem (previously won of soft). The manner of the defeat left us thinking it might be the ground (good) but we will only know that going forward. He looked great in the paddock and the betting patterns (touched 4/7) suggested there were no issues since his Bath win. That's racing...

CHEPSTOW has 32 meetings annually, both flat and jump racing, please visit their website for more details.

Clerk of the course: Libby O'Flaherty

Racecourse Telephone: 01291 622 260 and Fax: 01291 627 061

Email: info@chepstow-racecourse.co.uk

Address: Chepstow Racecourse, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6BE

Children aged 17 & under go FREE

PARKING IS FREE also.

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