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Ewart, Bryan, Claire and Phil were at Huntingdon and enjoyed a great welcome with each owner arriving being met by one of three directors who carried out a tour of the facilities. The owners’ bar had a tablet-based drinks ordering system and the restaurant offered a choice of about five different meals. There was plenty of space and the staff at the track were excellent. After we had all enjoyed lunch and the early races, Neil had two runners in the 2.00 pm race and he and jockey Harry Reed joined the BG Racing team across the fence to watch the race and have a chat about our race. The plan was to jump Fr Humphrey off handy and take front rank either leading or racing just off the lead.
After watching Fr Humphrey get saddled we headed to the front of the stands to watch the race. Our plans went well until the horses approached the first fence! Fr Humphrey jumped off well and was front rank heading down to the fence, but was taken on by horses on either side and three went ahead of him as the came away from the fence. Two of those seemed intent on really forcing the pace and charged towards the second which was a ditch. Fr Humphrey was a bit taken off his feet and was very untidy at the ditch, pitching Harry up in the saddle and dropping back to 5th. As they turned into the back it was clear that the leaders were going very quickly and a gap opened to the favourite in 3rd and to Fr Humphrey and the rest who were about three lengths further back. Fr Humphrey jumped OK down the back but was meeting the fences badly and often needed to pop them rather than flying them in full stride. Leaving the back he was back in 8th and the writing already seemed to be on the wall before halfway.
Into the home straight with a circuit to go, Fr Humphrey was untidy at his fences and was being hard ridden passing the post to head out to the final circuit. He was last leaving the straight and was pulled up as they headed off for the last circuit.
The concern post-race was around whether Fr Humphrey would turn out to have strained or pulled something which could have caused the poor run and whilst a couple of possible physical reasons for the poor run did come to light, it is hoped that they will not keep him off the track for long.
