Author: Russ

Two entries for the Haggas team this week and no real signs that a second win of 2026 is in sight. It is of no concern as the yard enters a transformational year when in the words of the Somerville Lodge master – ” I will be more like a National Hunt trainer”. That comment…

As the barren winter for followers of the William Haggas stable extends into March, a potential top handicap winner steps onto centre stage on Saturday at Wolverhampton. First Principle is currently the least favoured of the three entries in the Ante Post market for the Lincoln on the 28th March 2026, prices at around 20/1.…

With all eyes understandably fixed on next week’s glorious Cheltenham festival – plans for the start of the Turf season are progressing at pace. William Haggas followers will have circled on the calender the Lincoln meeting on Saturday 28th and double circled the AW finals day on Good Friday. There is every indication that the…

With all eyes understandably fixed on next week’s glorious Cheltenham festival – plans for the start of the Turf season are progressing at pace. William Haggas followers will have circled on the calender the Lincoln meeting on Saturday 28th and double circled the AW finals day on Good Friday. There is every indication that the…

As readers of this blog were forewarned the slow start on the AW in 2026 for Somerville Lodge extended from 1-20 in January to 0-6 in February. This follows the pattern of the last 2 winter campaigns in the opening months of the year, in 2025 the record in February was 1-4 and in February…

Given a vast majority of the Somerville Lodge 3yo’s are unexposed- the early entry dates made for the French Classics this week, provide a good insight into which may be among the highest ranking as the season progresses. Haggas rarely has runners in the early classic races either in the UK or in France or…

It has been an exceptionally quiet month at Somerville Lodge and there is no real change of gear as February ends with only a couple of unraced maidens being entered to run. The first of those is a lovely looking grey colt Al Maslool by Dark Angel out of the former Richard Hannon trained filly…

A week of zero entries for Somerville Lodge sums up the reality that the 2026 AW winter campaign has been something of a token gesture, with the emphasis being placed on the Turf campaign, especially with the increased number of older horses staying in training. It looks like Wiltshire will be the sole centre of…

With a record of 1-24 on the AW surfaces this year , patience has been high on the list of attributes required by William Haggas followers. However, as indicated before the races were ran, there have been few if any runners expected to deliver. We advised of the dangers of supporting the horses that have…

Whilst activity at Somerville Lodge is increasingly busy with preparation for the Turf season – AW runners continue to be few and far between. Only two declarations have been made up to Friday this week and both are on retrieval missions following disappointing runs earlier this year. We highlighted the risks in backing maiden fillies…