So close yet so far - Knighton Combe ran an absolute blinder today at Warwick in the big staying handicap chase.  There was 3 lengths between the first 6 home, as all 6 jumped the last upsides, and unfortunately our old boys legs just aren't quick enough now days and we finished 6th. We could really do with some help from the handicapper now, and the Summer National must be the plan again.

From the oldest of our horses to the youngest - I took All Nighter (3 years old) into the outdoor school today to pop him over some poles, and teach him how to jump.  Well - he is a complete natural, and absolutely adores it, as the picture below demonstrates.

He is rated 78 on the turf, and having won over a mile, I think he will be an awful lot of fun to go juvenile hurdling with over the summer and autumn.  Jeremy Sykes has bought half of him, and there is still half for sale - so don't hesitate to become involved in this really exciting prospect.

Sandown on Friday was the Royal Artillery Gold Cup day, which has always been one of my favorite days racing, probably due to the fact that I was lucky enough to win the race 4 times during my riding career. We didn't have any runners in the race this season, but we ran Graduation Night ran in the 3 mile handicap and Caminero made his racecourse debut in the 2 mile novice hurdle.

Graduation Night put his Doncaster disappointment behind him and ran a cracker to finish 4th beaten 10 lengths. He made a couple of early mistakes by being a bit over bold in his first time visor, and was outpaced when they started to quicken up over the railway fences, only to stay on dourly up the Sandown hill. He certainly looks to want a step up in trip now, and we'll have to consider running him in the National Hunt 4 mile chase at Cheltenham.

Caminero ran a smashing race to finish 3rd beaten only 2 lengths. Tom O'Brien was full of praise for this very promising 5 year old, who is only going to improve with a step up in trip,fences, and a good summer at grass. How exciting....

Marodima ran well to finish 4th at Wincanton on Saturday. A combination of a rise in the handicap following his 2 wins last month, and 2m5 stretching his stamina meant he couldn't last home out in front. He is in at Sandown on Friday, but he is tricky to place now, and we might drop him into a claimer.  

At last the cold snap has abated, and we can finally have some racing. We declared Ballyboker Boy and Millers Reef for Folkestone on Tuesday, only for that to be called off in the morning, so we declared them both for Southwell yesterday, which was thankfully on.

Unfortunately the Southwell race for Ballyboker Boy was unbelievably competitive with 4 or 5 Cheltenham entries in the line up. Ballyboker Boy was in the process of running a fine race, and looked certain to play a hand in the finish, however he was cannoned into rounding the final bend with 2 to jump by Baby Shine, as Dominic Elsworth went for a gap that was never there, and it knocked Ballyboker Boy out of the race. How frustrating.... and even worse is that Bally is sore this morning as a result.

Millers Reef ran a very promising race, but was hampered at the 2nd last by a faller in front of him, and the leaders quickened away from him at the same time. It was a frustrating day, but ces't la vie. Onto Sandown tomorrow where we run Graduation Night in the 3 mile handicap chase, and Caminero in the 2 mile novice hurdle. Graduation Night was very progressive prior to disappointing at Doncaster last time, and I think the visor will sharpen him up. Caminero is a lovely horse, and I am looking forward to seeing him run, but I fear 2 miles may be a touch short for him. 

We decided to swerve the jumpers bumper card today at Kempton as I really hope we get some jumping action next week. Caminero is in at Exeter on Sunday and I cannot wait to see him on the track. He has been pleasing us at home in his work, and he is a natural jumper, although he looks like he'll be a better chaser. Ballyboker Boy is in everywhere next week, and I am keen to get him back in the action. Millers Reef is awaiting his first hurdles start, and Graduation Night wants some decent ground. I hope this weather abates.... However, we have been so lucky here in Lambourn, as the gallops men have worked every hour to keep the gallops open - fantastic.

We had 2 very exciting new recruits turn up at Folly House today. All Nighter is a 3 year old gelding by Bertolini that Jeremy Sykes has just bought. He won his last start and been placed a further 2 times from 6 runs on the flat with a handicap mark of 78. He looks an ideal type for the early juvenile hurdles through the summer - and there is half for sale if anyone is interested in a share then do please give me a call. The other new recruit today is a ferret that turned up this evening. Lucy just went outside to get something out of the car, and saw the ferret skulking in the garage. We have given her a bed of straw for the evening, and some dog food, and fingers crossed she may have found a new home....