John Quinn’s charge Countrywide Flame starts training after a lay-off
It looks like, Countrywide Flame, will be returning to the races after a lay-off, as trainer John Quinn seems optimistic about his future.
The son of Haafhd, out of mare Third Party, was a long-shot in the Cheltenham Festival, sent at 33 to 1, but he surprised everyone when he took the track by storm.
The victory was ultimately his, when jockey Dougie Costello, led him to the victory, 3 lengths before the D.K. Weld trained, Hisaabaat.
The young runner was praised for his victory as he managed to bolt past the race favourite, Grumeti, who finished third, ¾ of a length after the runner-up.
The four-year-old colt was less fortunate in the Grade 1 Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree on 12th April, 2012, as Grumeti took revenge and notched the victory by 1 length.
John Quinn believes that the bay gelding needs to get back in form as he commented that:
"Countrywide Flame is nearing the end of his holiday. In less than a fortnight we will be getting him ready ahead of a light Flat campaign towards the back end before we run him over jumps again. I'm happy with him but just feel he is on the verge
of getting a little fat.”
Grumeti, on the other hand seems to be in great from, as he is turning in one good performance after the other.
After he downed the victory at Aintree, the son of Sakhee, out of Tetravella, went on to compete at Ascot where he raced with 6-4 shot.
With the combination of speed, stamina and a talented rider Jimmy Fortune, the four-year-old bay gelding was destined to win.
The McNeill Family took the money home, as he defeated race favourite, Local Hero, by 1 ½ lengths in the Leo Bancroft Signature Haircare Handicap at Ascot on 12th May, 2012.
Grumeti is currently on a hat-trick and he looks in the right form to achieve another great victory in the 32Red.com Handicap at Goodwood on 26th May, 2012.
Alan King, his trainer said that:
"He won well at Ascot and, while this seems a stronger race, he seems in good form at the moment.”
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