Blazing Bailey
Blazing Bailey is one of the older horses at Cheltenham this year and one of Alan King's stars. The nine-year-old Bay Gelding has been around racing for a long time and has successfully combined a flat and jump career.
The horse was bred from Mister Baileys and Wannaplantatree (both USA) and started life as a sprint horse for Stuart Williams. Blazing Bailey is second favourite for the William Hill Trophy 2011 at 12/1.
Blazing Bailey's Career
Blazing Bailey's career got off to a terrible start in December 2004. The horse raced over six and seven furlongs at Wolverhampton and Lingfield Park only to finish towards the back of the pack on both occasions.
Blazing Bailey's career didn't really get off the ground until July 2005 when Williams switched the horse to slightly longer races. The horse romped to a five-length win over 14 furlongs and in a field of 17.
A second place finish followed this at the end of July 2005 at Salisbury. Blazing Bailey showed an enthusiastic attitude and an apparent want to sprint off over the horizon with jockeys needing to stop the aggressive leader from getting carried away.
Blazing Bailey's Style
The reason Williams switched the horse to longer races is because Blazing Bailey's style seems to improve as a race goes on. The horse picks up speed the further a race goes and this is a key attribute for any horse that likes to lead from the front.
Blazing Bailey's style stayed virtually the same when Alan King started training the horse at the start of 2006. King's first race as trainer of Blazing Bailey saw the horse win by a staggering nine lengths over jumps at Fontwell Park.
The major difference that King has made to Blazing Bailey's style is that the horse tucks in directly behind the leaders from now on as opposed to leading the pack from the very front. This eradicates any chance that the horse's stamina will disintegrate through sheer enthusiasm.
Form of Blazing Bailey in 2011
The form of Blazing Bailey in 2011 has been as good as any other horse in the William Hill Trophy field this year. The horse won as a 12/1 shot at Cheltenham on New Years Day and blew the field apart when challenging late after a bad start.
This win was followed up by another at Ffos Las on February 5 this year over 28 furlongs, the longest distance the horse has ever run. Blazing Bailey carried a heavy weight of 11 stones ten pounds on that occasion.
Blazing Bailey's Assets
The biggest asset of Blazing Bailey is the experience the horse has built up over a six-year period. The horse has won from the front, just inside the front and from the back of the field. These wins have come on a variety of grounds and at different racecourses.
This is the biggest asset of Blazing Bailey because it means Wayne Hutchinson and Robert Thornton can regularly change as the horse’s main jockey. A new jockey could even be trusted for the race this year because the horse has a balanced style and doesn’t panic.