New Trainers

"As always your One Jump Ahead and Ahead On The Flat books are informative and packed with valuable information. They are a fantastic read and a great guide to the season. A must for all race fans and make an ideal present for racing enthusiasts. Both the books and Updates throughout the season are an excellent source of reference material. In addition, your 'Client Service' continues to be first class in your analysis and in identifying potential winners. This is testament to your expertise, knowledge and extensive contacts in the racing fraternity and all the hard work and research you put in for your clients." I.G, Edinburgh

It was announced on Monday that racing in France will resume in a week's time (11th May) and there is a possibility we will have some action in the UK at the end of the same week (15th May), which is excellent news. Fingers crossed that is the case. I have been in touch with my printer once again and it appears that the publishing date of Ahead On The Flat will be Tuesday 12th May - the delay is at the binders end because they are only working sporadically, plus there is a Bank Holiday this Friday (8th May). It is frustrating but there isn't a lot I can do about given the current situation due to the coronavirus. 

As discussed, there are 4 new names in the Talking Trainers section of AOTF, namely Tim Easterby (53 horses covered), Charlie Fellowes (29), Jedd O'Keeffe (31) and James Tate (40). The quartet enjoyed personal best season's in 2019 and will be looking for more of the same this term.

Tim Easterby had a superb year with 126 winners and his stable at Great Habton near Malton houses some exciting prospects owned by King Power Racing Limited. Jedd O'Keeffe, who was former pupil assistant, travelling head lad and assistant trainer to Micky Hammond in Middleham, sent out his first winner in 2001. Best known for his handling of Grade 1 winning hurdler Sam Spinner, Jedd has seen his squad substantially bolstered by the emergence of Quantum. The brainchild of Jonathan Ramsden, the son of Jack, the syndicate purchased seven horses at a total cost of 482,000gns at the Newmarket Horses in Training Sale last Autumn. These are exciting times for Highbeck Lodge Stables. The yard is also training for Normandie Stud for the first time in 2020. James Tate is another who had a breakthrough year last season and he purchased Cavendish Stables during the winter following the retirement of Alan Bailey. It is literally only yards from his main stable Jamesfield Place across the Hamilton Road in Newmarket. Amongst his burgeoning string for the year ahead are three horses called Lord of The Sky, Stately Home and State of Play. Those with good memories will recall a trio of jumpers with the same names trained by Len Lungo, Peter Bowen and Evan Williams. The first named is James's father in law. The former Carrutherstown based trainer clearly has plenty of influence when it comes to naming his son in law's string.