The internet is working – what a relief! Cold here and I think winter has eventually arrived!
A busy day at Southwell with four runners. Our first runner is Young Phoenix and part owner Neville Statham had his first Cheltenham winner last week so will still, no doubt, be on cloud 9. Phoenix has had a decent break and will definitely come on for the run but should still do himself justice and I’m pleased to get him back to the track on decent ground.
Reve makes his second start over hurdles and was disappointing first time but will hopefully have learnt a lot from that. He’s a horse I like a lot but he is big and may take time for the penny to drop.
We are doubly presented in the Mares’ Bumper. Mello Yello has been leased by breeders Robert & Jackie Chugg to Hot to Trot Jumping and Sam Hoskins and 50 of their members were here watching her on the gallops on Friday morning before many of them headed off to Cheltenham. She is very nicely bred and goes nicely at home but is quite forward at home so will wear a hood to try and switch her off.
Our other runner is the Stock Family’s Fame & Glory mare Finnick Glory under Harry Stock. A poignant day for us all as she is a mare that his father Chris thought the world of and was so looking forward to running. Chris sadly died in September and is sorely missed. Finnick Glory does everything we’ve asked of her so far and, although we hope she takes it all in her stride and runs a big race today, she is a lovely mare for the future.