Ruth Jefferson talks with kwiff about her Aintree winner on Boxing Day and her upcoming entries at Kelso, Musselburgh, Ayr and Warwick.
Ruth Jefferson: Lavida Avida struts her stuff at Aintree
It was hard to see ‘The Diva’ run at Aintree, despite our early start on Boxing Day morning (two hours for those wanting to know what traffic was like) when heading to Merseyside in the gloom on Thursday. Brian tells me he gave her a cracking ride, and who am I to argue!
You could see her battle down the straight and really but her head down and fight. She’s only little, but she’s got a great attitude and I really like the manner of her performance. She did that from 113, which makes up from her spitting the dummy out last time out at Cheltenham. We’ve tried running her in better races because, as she’s only little, she’ll get a better racing weight, but she’s shown us she likes smaller fields and Class 3 company. Who are we to argue with her!
Ruth Jefferson: Lunar Chief
Lunar Chief goes to Kelso on Sunday, looking to make amends for his run there last time out when he was probably just a little too careful if anything over his hurdles. He’ll never been the zippy type you see of say a Constitution Hill, but I do think he’ll probably jump better in this weekend’s better ground.
The race looked his for the taking with two minutes to go and then suddenly Ace of Spades was entered for Dan and Harry Skelton – thanks boys! You should never fear one horse, but he does look the most likely winner, and we’ll need to make up 10lb on him. He looked good at Cheltenham last time out, but horses are there to be taken on and we’ll give it a good go with Sean Quinlan booked to ride once more.
Ruth Jefferson: Musselburgh Entries
We have a couple in for Musselburgh’s good New Year’s Day cards, which means no fireworks for me on New Year’s Eve and an early night in store before the long drive! Maple goes in the Juvenile Hurdle, bidding to better last time out when unseating Jamie (Hamilton) and giving him a bit of a knock in the process.
We’ll also go there with Giveupyerualdins who makes her handicap debut after winning last time out at Newcalste – to the somewhat bemusement of most of us in the yard. She’s a nice mare, but we’re still learning with, and it’s something of a fact-finding mission handicapping from an opening mark of 104. She’s a genuine sort, and Jamie Hamilton rides.
Ruth Jefferson: 2025 and Beyond
Kerryhill worked well this morning, and he goes for the Pertemps Qualifier at Warwick on Classic Chase day in a fortnight. We’re keeping him over hurdles for the time being at least, and he is in good form at home. I’ve only just finished sulking about the rain at Haydock last month, and haven’t given up hope on him. He’s a very nice horse. Hopefully he gets a chance to redeem himself before the season ends.
Happy New Year and all the best for 2025 from Newstead Stables! Ruth x
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