Rio back in France

Well he's back out again tomorrow in Auteuil France. Not such a stretch this time. Eurostar to Paris then a cab ride. It a big race. Lots of prize money. Got to give it to the French they do put up some fantastic money for young Chasers.

Rio is still only four and perhaps we have expected too much from him. He still needs to get experience and thats why we're running him in France where there are plenty of four year old novice chase races. In the UK there is only one per year!  Yep just the one. In Warwick in November.

We'll be there of course and you never know perhaps the French experience will have done him good.

For the first time ever I won't be having a bet. I just want to watch him run and see how he does. I really hope he runs well and comes back safe and sound. There are 12 runners in the race and I would love to see him get a place. But its a big ask. He is up against the winner of his last race, Milford Thomas.

Maybe a forecast? No, No, No, I'm not having a bet...

Well, maybe just a little one...

 

Comments

So if I want to punt £2.00 in Ladbrokes will they be able to find this race.      Elsie

Rio would do better if he became a French national and learned the language. You may say neigh, but I'm betting it'll be a winner.

 

Just so long as he comes home safe.  Everything crossed though that he does get placed!

Moya

 

Does a "chase" mean a flat race jolono, or is it over jumps?

 

Jumps Scratch. Big fences!

 

What a lovely day. Not because he won. He didn't, he came 8th out of 11. But such a great place. Just outside of Paris, the racecourse is huge and hardly anyone there.

Anyway, back to Rio. I wasn't expecting him to win and had hoped he might get in the first four or five. But he travelled well throughout the race. Some of the fences were huge. One in particular was as big as anything in the Grand National. But he got over all 16 fences. Only three of them did he look at bit awkward over but never looked in danger of falling. He needs one more race in France to get his french handicap so we'll run him again in 4 -5 weeks time. Then he'll come back to the UK for a few races.

He's still only had 4 races and is learning more each time he runs. He's also getting fitter and stronger. I think it will be another year before we know exactly how good he will get.

 

Good luck with it and him jolono.

 

 

as long as the horse is ok, he's a winner.

 

Thanks guys. We went into this with out eyes open. Not everyone buys an Arkle or a Kauto Star. But he's well bred and that counts for a lot.

He wont finish growing until he's around 6 years of age so we still aren't quite sure what his optimum distance will be. At the moment he looks as though he could run forever and he jumps really well. But he doesn't ( as yet) have gears! So when everyone else quickens he doesn't. Maybe that will come in time. I'm not sure.

Even if he doesnt get the gears he'll be a staying chaser. So will one day be in the Grand National. He jumps and he stays the distance.

Who knows. great fun though!