15 March 2021
This is an exciting week for all National Hunt racing fans, and we start off with some wonderful news of our own…
We are delighted to announce that Merriebelle Stable have kindly agreed to sponsor Charlie Longsdon Racing Ltd. Merriebelle Stable, founded by John Moores and Charles Noell in 2013, is an international breeding and racing operation, based in the U.S and Ireland. Merriebelle Stable formerly sponsored ‘The Brown Advisory and Merriebelle Stable Plate’ and are new co-sponsors of the G1 Novices’ Chase on Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival.
Charles Noell, who is heading the sponsorship, has long been a keen horseman and has owned steeplechasers for many years, including recent Musselburgh winner Moon King, currently in training with us.
Charlie says, ‘It's wonderful to form a new partnership with Merriebelle Stable. We hope to do them proud and celebrate many winners together.’
We start the week with Parramount running in the 3.33 at Stratford this afternoon with Brian Hughes on board. It is the first meeting back for Stratford, due to them not racing through the winter months.
Snow Leopardess, half sister to Parramount, is our first runner at Cheltenham on Tuesday, in the National Hunt Chase, with Aidan Coleman on board. She is a stable star, always runs her heart out, and we look forward to seeing what she can do on the big stage.
Tuesday also sees Guetapan Collonges, who won last time out, heading to Sedgefield in the handicap hurdle with Will Kennedy on board.
Back to Cheltenham on Wednesday, Charlie Deutsch takes the ride on Vivas in the cross country, a race he has ran in twice previously. Western Miller has managed to get a place in the Grand Annual, with Paul O’Brien on board. He ran a great race last time at Cheltenham over 2 miles, so we are delighted that he is getting the chance to run again.
Also on Wednesday, Local Affair heads to Huntingdon, the first time out for her since her winter break.
There’s a good chance Almazhar Garde will run in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham on Thursday, along with Storm Goddess in the Pertemps Final, and Castle Robin looks to run in the Albert Bartlett on Friday. So with any luck, we will have a runner each day at Cheltenham! It will be a very different experience this year, but we are so grateful to be racing.
This morning we had Brian Hughes, and William Kennedy in to ride out two lots each. We also took Haas Boy, a lovely unraced 4yo by Diamond Boy, and Glencassley to gallop at Adlestrop. They both did a nice bit of work and it is great to give them an away day.
Everyone is in great spirits in the yard, and we are looking forward to seeing how our runners go on the big stage!
