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Gallop Videos Uploaded 17th July

This mornings work is now on-line.

http://mickchannon.tv/owner.php

Enjoy!

YOUMZAIN WORKS AHEAD OF ASCOT

Youmzain put in a pleasing workout on the Summer Ground this morning to signal his well being ahead of the
 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

 Last years Great Voltiguer Stakes winnerwas partnered by Tadgh O'Shea who looked to have plenty of horse
under him at the end of the exercise with Championship Point and Som Tala.

 Mick said, "It was a nice bit of work. All being well he'll do another piece next week and it'll be all systems go for 
The King George. He came back well from his run in the Grand Prix de St-Cloud and I've always thought
The King George will suit him."

FOOTBALL - BAD FEELING CONTINUES AMID CUP "DISAPPEARANCE"

The fallout from the ill-tempered Ilsley Challenge Cup football match sank to new depths this evening.

Earlier in the day Hughie Morrison's "Director of Football", James Reeves returned to pick up the trophy from West Ilsley after having left the most sought after gong in West Berkshire behind due to the euphoria of the previous evening's celebrations.

Apparently, having opened the case within which the trophy is kept upon his return East, it was immediately apparent that the cup had been replaced with nothing more than a house-brick.

Police have been notified of this "mystery" disappearance and Mick Channon and all his staff at West Ilsley would like to distance themselves from any accusations of skullduggery that might be placed at their door.

FOOTBALL - EAST HOLD FORM DESPITE THE WEST BEING BEST

The inaugural clash for the Ilsley Challenge Cup took place on Sunday, with Hughie Morrison's Yard (East) taking on the Channon Yard (West) on a day of high drama and huge controversy.

In view of the successful week at Newmarket (Hatta Fort & Dan Tucket), the Channon Yard approached the contest with high hopes of further victory, but with hindsight, the Morrison Yard's July Cup romp with Sahkee's Secret meant that they were the team in the most eye-catching form.

West's line up was a mix of youthful exuberance and ignorant overconfidence, whilst East fielded a side of the odd familiar face and a bunch of ringers...

Cheered on by a raucous crowd who'd made the treck out to an astroturf pitch somewhere near Didcot, the game was reduced to thirty minutes each way due to the many late arrivals. The venue was a tricky one to find and it was suggested that the return match be held at Hogwarts - an altogether easier destination to get to.

And so it was that the Ilsley Challenge Cup game of 2007 kicked off with West very much on top. With their confidence soaring in the early stages having been awarded two throw-ins in quick succession, the combination of Barry Talent and Lord Ilsley in the midfield, initially bore fruit and it was no surprised when George Storton, in tandem with his striking brother Andrew, sent the Channon Yard and their two dozen travelling fanatics into delirium with the opener.

But that was to be the only highpoint of the day as Steve Sweet and Jon Dennis, kept East's collection of what appeared to be former internationals and Olympic hopefuls at bay - Michael Cook excelling with cat like agility and the greatly appreciated trait of mulling over his goal-kicks long enough for his colleagues to get their breath back.

Still one up at the break, West came out in a determined frame of mind at the restart, conceding after twenty-one seconds and producing some quite abysmal football. This was typified by Jody Mogford who might have a footballer's hairstyle, but none of the ability - whilst the fitness level of Lord Ilsley, made a mockery of his pre-match confidence.

West briefly rallied and almost regained the lead, but a combination of Mogford's "unique" talents and East's inspired keeper (the spitting image of Tottenham's Paul Robinson), meant the game entered it's final throes at one a piece.

An honourable draw seemed the most likely outcome as players on both side looked ever nearer death due to exhaustion when East turned defence into attack in the blink of and eye whilst West appealed for one of the most obvious offside calls in the history of the game.

The fact that there was no referee or linesman on hand to give the decisions meant that it was left to East Ilsley's conscience to own up and ensure that their integrity remained in tact.

Final score 1-2.

A disheartened bunch of West Ilsley players converged on The Harrow (West Ilsley) to lick their wounds and moan about the lack of class shown by The Morrison Yard, who had the temerity to turn up for the trophy presentation and dig in to an excellent Shepherd's Pie laid on by patron's Pete and Jackie Watling.

With great grace, the Westerners even entered enemy territory and the evening was rounded off with a game of drunk Jenga in The Crown and Horns (East Ilsley). Yet again, East prevailed and West had to pick up the pieces on a disappointing day for all those concerned with fair play, respect and community values.

Man Of The Match - Fat Ali

BOSS HITS OUT AT 'RIDICULOUS' RULE

THE workings of the reserve system for horses running in the July Cup was made to look hopelessy flawed when Soldier's Tale defected on the day of the race and no horse was able to take his place.

Mick had Silver Touch as one of the two reserves and, though he wouldn't have run the filly on the good to firm ground, the failings of the BHB rule governing this stood out like a sore thumb.

He said: "The deadline for getting a reserve into the July Cup if another horse defects is 11.30am the previous day, more than 24 hours before the race is run.

"My view is that this deadline defeats the whole point of it.

"It's not sour grapes because Silver Touch didn't get a run - i've said all along she needed some cut in the ground - but I would have been seething if i'd brought my horse here and discovered it couldn't get in. The deadline is too far back and makes the BHB look like a bunch of clowns."

JACK CHANNON TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT

MICK's younger son Jack enjoyed some practice of what he might well be doing a lot more of in the years to come as he accepted the prize on behalf of Box 41, owners of nursery winner DAN TUCKET.

The colt benefitted from a fine ride by Tadgh O'Shea to arrive almost as late as Hatta Fort to score by half a length from Al Muheer.

And Channon Jnr lapped up every second of the presentation ceremony!

Up until Friday it had been a frustrating week but the boss left for home wearing a broad smile. He said: "Dan Tucket's a bonny little colt who'll do well in handicaps while I was delighted with Mutawaajid in the July Cup. The Aussie horse ran a blinder and, as I suspected, just needed it."

HATTA FLIES HOME FOR HUGH

HATTA FORT ended a frustrating run of seconditis for Hugh Bowman when swooping late and initiating a double for the stable in the Weatherbys Superlative Stakes.

Patiently ridden to come from last to first, the colt scored by a neck from Declaration Of War to earn an introductory quote of 33-1 from the sponsors for the Stan James 2,000 Guineas.

Mick has always held this colt in high esteem and, when telling owner Sheikh Ahmed how good he is, prompted a name change from Obboorr to Hatta Fort. History tells us that the Maktoums have done likewise with some of their very best stock.

Mick observes: "I've always thought a lot of him and thought he would win the Windsor Castle when the five furlongs was too short. I expect we'll keep him to seven but he has a Group 2 penalty and we'll have to see. Whatever the case i'm delighted for Hugh. He might have been on the cold list but he's ridden loads of seconds and thirds. He's doing us proud."

 

HIGH HOPES FOR YEM KINN

WE have high hopes that YEM KINN can endorse his liking for Ascot in the Euro Earthworks Novice Stakes which opens the Saturday card at 2.15. The colt has raced exclusively at the Berkshire course, beating Fitzroy Lodge and Swiss Franc first time out but then coming home with excuses when fourteenth of 20 behind Henrythenavigator in the Coventry. Mick says: "We thought he'd be in the thick of it at Royal Ascot but he got upset and took off on the way to the start. He used up plenty of adrenalin and didn't fire in the race itself. He has a penalty for his first win but tomorrow's contest is there for the taking if he runs as well as he's been working. Up to now the Swiss Franc form has worked out amazingly well. Let's hope it does again tomorrow."

HATTA HOLDS FORT ON CUP DAY CARD

HATTA FORT looks our best winning chance on the final day of the Newmarket July meeting as he steps up to seven furlongs in the Weatherbys Superlative Stakes. Mick says: "We ran him over five in the Windsor Castle and almost got away with it as he was gaining hand over fist at the end. The move up to seven should be right up his street and let's hope we have the same luck as with Halicarnassus a year ago." MUTAWAAJID needs to run a personal best from what looks a poor draw in the Darley July Cup and the boss continues: "If the draw works like it did on the first day then we're in trouble but the positive thing is that Hugh Bowman thinks this horse has arrived with his last two pieces of work. He's been to Newbury which I hope will give him a mental edge and he delighted me with his work on the summer ground on Tuesday. He's a giant of a horse - a monster - and we'll have to see. My feeling is that whatever he achieves he can improve on it when we step him up to seven for races like the Foret." GRANTLEY ADAMS has also not copped it lucky with the draw in the Bunbury Cup. Our trainer opines: "He's in great heart and ran a stormer from an equally poor draw at Royal Ascot. My hope is that the trend will be to go up the middle of the course as the week moves on."

LADY LUCK NOT WITH US ON DRAW

The boss is putting a brave face on things following a disappointing first day and the added setback of seeing MUTAWAAJID end up in stall 3 for the July Cup. He said: "You definitely needed to be high on Wednesday and the big horse is going to have his work cut out unless things change. I'm hoping as the week goes on there might be a fair playing field up the middle. We have some very good chances today with MAN OF VISION looking to make up for a disaster at Ascot. I freely admit he was my personal fancy in the King George V Handicap but for some reason he took off leaving the stalls and ran himself into the ground. HALICARNASSUS kicks us off in the Bahrain Trophy and if the ground is getting quicker that will be fine for him. He's been working very well and should relish the distance. He has an obvious chance. CARLETON doesn't have that much to find with Winker Watson in the July Stakes and shouldn't be ruled out. This faster going should suit him. AAIM TO STORM had a nightmare draw in the Coventry and did well to get as close so that I wouldn't discount him either in the novice stakes. GO ON ON BE A TIGER has been leading Mutawaajid in his work and seems to be progressing the right way."