Latest News

10
JUL

GALLOPS VIDEOS UPLOADED

To compliment Neil's report of this mornings work, our Gallops section now has the videos uploaded. We are currently attempting to master the art of filming, editing, encoding and finally uploading our videos in double quick time for our owners to view only an hour or so after returning from the downs. This process will take a little time to perfect but we are very much on the case. Mutawaajid you'll notice seems bang on course for the July Cup. http://mickchannon.tv/owner.php
Posted By: Wilsley News
10
JUL

AVIN A LARF WIV ARRY

IT was refreshing for the usual suspects to enjoy the company of owner and legendary punter Harry Findlay on the gallops this morning. Harry has had horses with Mick for several years and while Flat racing is very much of secondary importance to the jump-crazy owner he occasionally drops by to sample the morning work. He tells me Denman is thriving for his summer in the paddock. The boss thinks he has a 'monster' in Mutawaajid while Harry can't wait to see his own monster Denman begin his preparation for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Posted By: Wilsley News
10
JUL

LILLY HEADS FIRST DAY TEAM

MICK says of Wednesday's Newmarket runners: "THE horses have just done their last bits of work and we go to Newmarket with strength in depth and many chances. I must admit i'll be disappointed if we end the week without a winner. SWEET LILLY heads for the Falmouth and as we all know she's a streetfighter who is a law unto herself. She swishes her tail and basically doesn't give a hoot but there's no denying her talent. Much depends on how the race is run but she seems in good form and if there's a strong pace that will certainly help." NAHOODH makes her introduction in the Group 2 Cherry Hinton Stakes and Mick continues: "I think she's a very nice filly. I'm throwing her in at the deep end but she's been very professional in her work and Jaber is keen to have a go. She seems more forward than a lot of ours." PRETTY MAJESTIC looks to hold a good each-way chance in the opening fillies' handicap over seven furlongs. The boss comments: "The summer has been a long time in coming for her but I think she could be off a winning rating of 90. She's just coming right and has got to take her chance." SOUTH CAPE was unlucky at Royal Ascot and seeks to put the record straight in the mile handicap. Mick observes: "He's in great form and the ground will be perfect. We've got Matthew Davies taking 7lb off his back which seems well worth doing." FIUMICINO goes for the Lancashire Oaks and Mick concludes: "All she's done is improve. The step up in distance should suit her."
Posted By: Wilsley News
10
JUL

AUSSIE ACE SPARKLES

MUTAWAAJID goes into Friday's Darley July Cup as the joker in the pack following a pleasing workout on the summer ground which Hugh Bowman believes has put him spot on for Newmarket. The colt picked-up stylishly to outrun GO ON BE A TIGER and LUNCES LAD and Bowman said: "At this time last week I thought we were pushing it but his last two bits of work have taken him close to being spot on. I reckon if he doesn't win he has to run well." Mick said: "He's been with us six weeks and a day and time's not been on our side. Having said that, he's a monster and Hugh thinks everything is coming right."
Posted By: Wilsley News
08
JUL

A FLAMING GOOD TEAM FOR JULY

MUTAWAAJID is all set for the Darley July Cup but it is unlikely that SILVER TOUCH will accompany him to post. With improved weather conditions Mick feels it's unlikely there'll be any cut in the ground come next Friday. He says: "I would say Silver Touch is doubtful. We'll definitely go with Mutawaajid but it would need more rain to come for Silver Touch to go. At this stage it looks like being good ground." MAJESTIC ROI or SWEET LILLY are to tackle the Falmouth Stakes on Wednesday. HALICARNASSUS is to tackle the Bahrain Trophy as long as it isn't soft while GRANTLEY ADAMS steps up to seven furlongs for the Bunbury Cup, having been unlucky in just missing the frame from an impossible draw in the Wokingham. MAN OF VISION switches from the abandoned Haydock fixture to tackle the three-year-old handicap, while there is a nice handicap for PRETTY MAJESTIC. There will be a strong two-year-old presence and Mick continues: "HATTA FORT will probably step up to seven furlongs for the Superlative Stakes leaving CARLETON to tackle the July Stakes. I'm not against unveiling NAHOODH in the Cherry Hinton which would leave TOP VISION for the fillies' maiden on Friday."
Posted By: Wilsley News
07
JUL

TREAT TO SERVE ONE UP

OUR best chance of success on a quiet Saturday probably lies with TREAT in the Addleshaw Goddard Stakes (3.45) at Sandown. Conditions look to be just right for the daughter of Barathea who drops back to her optimum distance of a mile. Mick says: "I'm trying to put a show on and running the horses I think will handle the ground, of which Treat is definitely one. A bit of cut won't be a problem for her, she's in great heart and this is her trip." Treat kept on bravely to finish fourth to Finsceal Beo in the Stan James 1,000 Guineas but was unsuited by being held-up in the Irish version at The Curragh. On her latest start she failed to get a mile and a quarter at Newbury." Mick adds: "She's a good filly and i'm optimistic she'll go close today. She does like to gallop up with the pace and that's the way to get the best out of her."
Posted By: Wilsley News
06
JUL

MC.TV BACK ONLINE

Welcome Back! As you may have noticed, our video features are now back on the site. We are still developing mickchannon.tv and what you currently have is the "bare bones" of what we want the site to become. The optimum video bandwidth will continuously be reviewed until site visitors receive the best audio visual service. We will assess the site's performance over the weekend and make any neccessary changed to our video service on Monday. In terms of new content, the recent gallops of our newcomer Mutawaajid are an interesting watch, whilst there are plenty of pleasing performances from the many unraced two year olds on the Winter Ground and Newbury Racecourse this morning. Thanks for your patience - this has never been done before! All The Best, Mick
Posted By: Wilsley News
06
JUL

MATT DANGLING ON LINE TO STARDOM

NOBODY takes as much stick on work mornings as our second apprentice Matthew 'Maggot' Davies whose fortunes fluctuated from the sublime to the ridiculous this week. The boss thinks the boy is so hard of hearing he's threatening to have a whip-round to buy him a device Lester Piggott would be proud of, while following his unfortunate experience on Stir Crazy in the boys' race at Kempton Maggot's reputation was in tatters. In this instantly forgettable race our unsung hero met interference from none other but West Ilsley colleague Tom O'Brien on Mine The Balance. But never let it be said the lad is anything but assured of his own ability and, with a performance which would have done the Long Fellow proud, he steered MARK OF LOVE to a silk-smooth victory at Newbury last night. It was a career-first winner and one he will never forget. Box 41's Tim Corby apparently had a collection tin out in the staff canteen and raised sufficient brass to buy the poor lad a map. On the evidence of what happened later that evening Davies could find his way out of Hampton Court maze!
Posted By: Wilsley News
06
JUL

JUVENILES LIMBER UP

A SELECT batch of six two-year-olds worked in two groups of three over the same six furlongs at Newbury, with some earmarked for the July meeting next week. The boss has shown his hand with NAHOODH by entering her for the Cherry Hinton Stakes although she has the alternative of the six furlong fillies' maiden. Nahoodh (Tadgh O'Shea) moved in customary zestful style in company with TOP VISION (Sam Hitchcott) and STRAIGHT SETS (Candy Morris). You could have thrown a blanket over them at the end although O'Shea had a firm grip on Nahoodh. Mick said: "The Cherry Hinton would be a massive ask for Nahoodh first time out but I haven't discounted it. There is the maiden for her as well, and for Top Vision, and we'll have to see how things pan out." In the other two-year-old work ATLANTIC SPORT (Tom O'Brien) showed his prowess to forge threequarters of a length ahead of LOOK TO THE STARS (Jodie Mogford) and SUMMON UP THE BLOOD.
Posted By: Wilsley News
06
JUL

BOWMAN THRILLED WITH 'MUTA'

MUTAWAAJID completed his preparation for the Darley July Cup with a six furlongs breeze at Newbury racecourse this morning. Hugh Bowman partnered the former Australian-based colt working with lead horse Go On Be A Tiger on the back straight. The pair went clockwise which equates to 'the wrong way round' and when the tempo quickened in the final furlongs and a half Mutawaajid devoured his stablemate to pull a length and a half clear. Mick said: "I was delighted with the big fella, he breezed well. He's only been here six weeks, is woolley in his coat and I do feel he'll be better for the run next week. It won't be fitness as much as lack of match practice which could be an issue, but whatever happens it will bring him on for the big prizes in France later on such as the Prix de la Foret." Bowman agrees that a July Cup bid straight off the bat is a big ask and he said: "I was delighted. My only question mark is that he hasn't had a run."
Posted By: Wilsley News