Mark Usher Racing

The return of Frankel….

Mark Usher — Sat, 19 May 2012 07:18:54 +0000

Today at Newbury, the unbeaten Frankel returns to the track for all to savour, as he lit up last season with some outstanding performances. The fact that he is racing on at four, is fantastic for racing. Hopefully he can continue to progress. Mind you, Excelebration and Strong Suit are classy horses in their own right, but Frankel is something else.

Today we run Spice Fair in the 3.55 at Newmarket. He has steadily progressed up the handicap and always runs a solid race, although this is another step-up for him. With the assistance of Ryan Moore (who is 2-2 on him) you would hope he has a chance.

Two at Newbury…

Mark Usher — Fri, 18 May 2012 08:03:05 +0000

It is always good to have runners at Newbury, our local track. Ishi Honest takes her chance in the 3.10. This is usually a hot contest but as she is now a winner and there are no handicaps for two-year-olds until July, suitable races are hard to come by. She is tough and I am sure she will do her best, it is just a matter of whether that is good enough.

Lady Of Burgundy runs in the 4.55 there. She is well and certainly has an e/w chance.

For anyone that is interested, there is one last 1/8th share available in the 2 year-old filly by Trade Fair. Her half-sister won as a 2 year-old last year and has won her first two starts at 3, including at Salisbury yesterday.

Two at Salisbury…

Mark Usher — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:14:14 +0000

A couple of runners at Salisbury today. High Five Prince runs in the 3.10. He was disappointing last year, as we had highish hopes but today we are just hoping for a decent run. If he did what he naturally can do he would not be far away.

Katmai River goes for his hatrick in the 5.25. It will be tough for him to make it a three-timer but he tries hard and has a chance. It is an apprentice race, where whips are carried, but not used.

Two runners at Newbury tomorrow which I will update you about in the morning.

One at Lingfield…

Mark Usher — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:12:48 +0000

Today we run Idol Deputy in the 4.30 at Lingfield. He has run well on this track and goes very well for Racheal so has a chance here. A couple of interesting runners tomorrow which I will let you know … Continue reading →

Mark’s Blog

Mark Usher — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:31:46 +0000

I was happy enough with the two runners yesterday. Mission Bell missed the break and made up good ground before getting tired. She will improve bundles for the race.

Lady Percy ran well in ground she found a bit soft. Only beaten just over 5 lengths. I am sure she will be capable of winning races this summer.

No runners today but one tomorrow which I will let you know about in the morning.

Two runners today…

Mark Usher — Mon, 14 May 2012 08:20:00 +0000

Today we have our second two-year-old runner, Mission Bell in the 4.15 at Wolverhampton. She needs fast ground on the turf which is why she is starting off on the all-weather. She is quite quick but will come on loads for the run.

Lady Percy makes her first start of the season and makes her handicap debut in the 7.40 at Windsor. I am sure she will appreciate better ground but if all goes well she has a small chance. Both fillies will be worth following.

Ishi Honest scoops £10,000 bonus at Nottingham…

Mark Usher — Sat, 12 May 2012 09:45:52 +0000

A mixed day yesterday. The two at Lingfield ( Best Be Careful and May’s Boy ) ran a little under par but not too much to worry about. Lady Of Burgundy ran well at Nottingham and Ishi Honest put up a brave performance to win the 2-y-o maiden, collecting the £10,000 Racing Post Yearling Bonus for her owners. It was a great ride from Ryan Moore and a good result for all of the team. If you want to get involved with a two-year-old for the coming season who is qualified for a Yearling Bonus, there is one 5% share in filly Mission Bell who is ready to run!

No runners today but we will be back in action on Monday.

Busy day with four…

Mark Usher — Fri, 11 May 2012 07:20:10 +0000

A busy day for the yard with 4 runners. We start with Best Be Careful in the 2.45 at Lingfield. She has done all her winning on the grass so this is a bit of an unknown, but she does not like soft ground so this will be a good starting point for her and if all goes well she has a chance. May’s Boy runs in the 4.55 there and has a chance. His and Racheal’s main problem will be the draw (12 of 12) but if they go fast he should be able to come from off the pace.

Up at Nottingham Ishi Honest runs in the 6.10. She is tough and should improve for her first run and with the help of Ryan Moore she may be able to turn the tables on the favourite despite being worse off at the weights. Lady Of Burgundy runs in the 8.30 at the same track. I think she will go on the ground and may well run a decent race at a huge price!

Mark’s Blog

Mark Usher — Thu, 10 May 2012 07:48:08 +0000

The weather still continues to cause havoc with turf racing. Goodwood is the latest track to fall victim to the weather with a waterlogged track. Lingfield has also had to switch their turf meeting to the all-weather, which is a shame, as Katmai River was going for his hatrick. We do still however have two runners at Lingfield on Friday, with both Best Be Careful and May’s Boy running on the all-weather. Up at Nottingham, we will also have Ishi Honest and Lady Of Burgundy, so it will be a busy Friday for all the team.

For anyone keen on their jump racing, there is one 5% share that has become available in winning hurdler Hope Point. She is a decent filly, who is ready for a summer jumping campaign, but with the weather at the moment, it seems more like the autumn! For anyone interested, see the ‘For Sale’ page.

One at Ffos Las…

Mark Usher — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:30:28 +0000

It’s been a hectic morning in the yard one way and another, hence the late blog. Apologies!

Saxon House runs in the 5.30 at Ffos Las today. He is going to make up into a grand sort of chaser in time but if all goes well for him today he does have a small e/w chance. No runners tomorrow but we will be back in action with a busy day on Friday with four runners.

New gallops videos are now on the website.