I hope you have all had a lovely few days – a great few days here with the family eating and drinking far too much! There was plenty of fantastic sport to watch too. Happy Christmas to you all and thank you for the lovely gifts we’ve received and generous donations to the Team fund too. All very much appreciated and I know my hard working team deserve every penny.
Deb Butler & Mick Deady were in charge at Fontwell on Boxing Day and conditions looked dire. Lucky Circle looked a picture in the Paddock but hated the swamp like conditions and Paddy Cowley looked after her when she was beaten and pulled her up. She’s A1 afterwards, has trotted up sound and we’ll have a look for another race shortly. The rest of the meeting was abandoned due to the ground following the 5th race.
Work morning today and Warren Marston, Mark Caswell and Harry Greasby all in to ride out. We worked Ten Past Midnight, Capricia, Be Thankful, Anaan, Black Prince, City Never Sleeps, Mozzaro, Robsam, Eclat Des Mottes, Cotswold Prince, Miss Antipova and Dreamsundermyfeet.
Two runners today. Big Nasty heads to Newbury under James Best over fences in the Betway Novices’ Handicap Chase for the Peel Racing Syndicate. A lovely big horse whose future lies ahead of him but we are hopeful of a bold show today, especially if he can build on his good 2nd at Ayr last time although it does look a very competitive race.
Forecast heads to Leicester under Patrick Cowley for the 2.05pm Great Glen Novices’ Chase for The Tenovus Partnership and he aims to build on his chasing debut where he was 3rd at Catterick last month. If the Olly Murphy trained Itchy Feet takes to fences he will be a hard act to beat but he’ll hopefully put in another good run and seems in good form at home. ** he now doesn’t run after we weren’t 100% happy with his scope, our vet has been out and 5 days of antibiotics should sort him out**
Yesterday we had a visit from yard sponsor Neil Lloyd who brought Neil Clifton, who’d never been here before so it was fantastic to meet him and to show him around our facilities too. Mid morning we had a visit from Clive and Heather Wooster and their family and they also enjoyed having a look around, catching up with us all and spent lots of time with Herbie, our Califet yearling, that they now have a share in. It’s so exciting watching these youngsters develop and dreaming of what may lie ahead for them all. There are still a few shares available and some in our two stunning foals too who are at Batsford Stud just a few miles away so do get in touch if you want to come and meet them, us and have a look around here too. Be warned though….they are very cute!