Pivoine (7/2) provides Top 40 with another winner

The good form of the Sir Michael Stoute stable continued at Kempton last night with Pivoine getting off the mark for the season. A running on fourth at Bath last time behind the progressive Nathan, the gelded son of Redoute's Choice was fitted with a visor for the first time and Ted Durcan's mount certainly travelled much better in the eleven furlongs handicap. Quickening up approaching the final furlong, he was good value for his two and a half lengths success off a mark of 80. With his owners Ballymacoll Stud set to fold at the end of the year, he is likely to head to Newmarket in late October for the Horses In Training Sales. I suspect he will attract some interest being a well bred horse who stays well. Perhaps his long-term future will lie over obstacles, although so many horses at that particular sale are now sold to race abroad which is a great pity.

I am still working on One Jump Ahead, which I am hoping to take to the printers shortly. In addition to the Talking Trainers section, I have spoken to contacts in the yards of Dan Skelton, Nigel Twiston-Davies and Sue Smith. Horses from those three yards will be covered in a new section called Stable Gossip, plus I have received a list of horses J.P.McManus has bought either from the Irish pointing scene or France and who will be training them this season. There appear to be some very exciting prospects amongst that particular list. The jumps season really can't come quick enough. Just a reminder I will be updating the site and how to buy a copy of One Jump Ahead once I have completed the book and taken it to the printers.

There two divisions of the seven furlongs maiden for juveniles at Sandown tomorrow. The first division looks particularly interesting and I have been told John Gosden runs a very smart type in Emaraaty, who cost 2.6m guineas and is a half-brother to Izzi Top and Jazzi Top. Unfortunately, he has been drawn in stall 15. Alongside him in stall 14 is the David Menuisier trained History Writer, who is also held in high esteem. The draw may prove to be their undoing, especially on their debuts, but I suggest keeping an eye on the pair. It promises to be a most informative event.