Friday, November 28, 2025 – Richard Phillips Racing

The Sumatran Tiger runs at Doncaster today at 3.08pm – a two and a half mile handicap hurdle. We were already happy with her two runs over obstacles for us and she makes her handicap debut today. She seems to love jumping but a better surface would be suitable and hopefully it won’t be too soft for her today. Finn Lambert loses another three pounds.

We called out Manalishi (pictured) tomorrow in Doncaster during the two mile beginner obstacle course at 11.48am. He was a promising runner-up on his bumper debut and undoubtedly has plenty of talent. Although he will need more time, this seems a good opportunity for him to make his hurdles debut on a canter track. Although it is a competitive event, he will hopefully continue to show great potential to his patient owners.

Smile Back makes her handicap debut in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle at Leicester on Sunday. She won a bumper for us at Carlisle last season and is gradually learning to overcome obstacles. She will wear a hood and hopefully there won’t be too much rain on the track anymore.

Little Big Kev was third at Market Rasen on Tuesday, where he came within two races of winning the race before unfortunately making a breathing noise after the last one. We’ll ask vet Ben Brain to take a closer look at his wind device and Kev can undoubtedly win races if he fixes the problem. He jumps very well and hunting is an option and a better surface would also suit.

Neeps And Tatties made her hurdles debut at Uttoxeter yesterday and finished fifth, beaten just over ten lengths by the winner despite pulling hard for much of the race. We will start her walking with a hood on in a few weeks in the hope that she will settle in better. Tatty undoubtedly has the ability to win races and bring great joy to her owners in the future.

Yesterday I was lucky enough to be invited to the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Awards lunch in Dorchester. This is always a memorable and joyful occasion and it was great to see so many owners in attendance. The winner of this year’s award was the remarkable Willie Mullins and all five hundred guests were treated to an excellent video of Ruby Walsh interviewing the champion trainer, which was insightful and entertaining.

Rory Bremner was as always a brilliant after-lunch speaker who provided lots of laughs, while the charity auction raised a significant amount of money for some of Peter’s favorite charities. The event strongly emphasizes that there is a lot of good in the sport and that people are already looking forward to the coming years.