F EATURE CHELTENHAM AND SOUTH WEST SYNDICATE
The 2020-21 Season has been unique for the horse racing world, in particular for Annual Members and Cheltenham and South West Syndicate members The Syndicate
T hey will go down in history as the ‘members that never were’, issued with their membership packs and chomping at the bit to get racing again in September, only to never fully enjoy a day at the races. Aside from a bizarre few weeks where they could attend a couple days of racing in December, the lockdowns meant that much of the Jump season took place behind closed doors. All in all, the shifting sand has certainly kept us on our toes and despite the reduced attendance as members, we have still been able to enjoy watching our horses run, be it from behind the TV screen or on course, or one of the lucky attending owners on the day. Docpickedme, our recent newcomer to the Syndicate, has proven to be a little star for our members and his trainer Harry Whittington. Dubbed ‘Derek the dude’ for his very laid back nature at home, he came alive on the course, nishing second in his debut Novices’ hurdle at Aintree in November, only beaten by Wilde About Oscar – who is well respected in the Skelton’s string. He then ran at a very heavy-going Chepstow and nished a respectable fth in conditions which were less than ideal, but at the third
Marton Abbey who Kim bought at the April (2021) Tattersalls Cheltenham/ Newmarket Sale. He nished a very close second on debut in the Maiden Point to Point at Hornby Castle, galloping all the way to the line and narrowly beaten. That proved he has a very willing attitude and he looks sure to bene t hugely from this initial experience and looks very much to be a chaser in the making. No doubt Kim will have designs on him for the new season ahead! Assuming the Government doesn’t change paths too much in the meantime, we are hoping to make up for lost time and have several stable visits lined up for our members across the summer. Then it will be time for the talking to stop as we delve into another season of proper Jumps racing across the UK. I think I speak for us all when I say, this season more than any other, we really cannot wait for!
time of asking, got o the mark with a lovely win in a 2m4½f maiden hurdle at Southwell on Monday 8th March. Daryl Jacob did the steering on that occasion and fed back after the race that he had done it very nicely and expected that there was still a lot to come. He reportedly ran slightly ‘greenly’ in the nishing stages but nevertheless, saw o his competition well to return the winner by 3½ lengths. On the same day, Hes No Trouble, who was retained from the 2018-20 Syndicate, doubled up Derek’s success and completed an across-the-card double in a 2m3½f Handicap Chase at Wetherby, which was a real tonic for the members (particularly those who had a few pennies on them both!). Since our horse with Nicky Henderson, Diamond River, sustained an injury, which would rule him out until at least the following season, we were keen to replace him with a third horse to ensure our members got the full bene t of having three horses in training with three di erent trainers, which is why Hes No Trouble has made the switch.
Join us today by contacting Hannah on 07790 356820 or email cheltenham. syndicate@thejockeyclub.co.uk
With that in mind, our trio has recently been
completed by the newly purchased
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