Lucy, Lettie and I are now back from France where we spent a week on holiday with all of Lucy's family.  It was a lovely relaxing break, with lots of good food, and wine and plenty of tennis and swimming. It was a perfect time to head away after the move up to Folly House and after a good couple of winners.

We are now beginning to bring the winter horses back in after their summer holidays, however the summer horses are still paying their way.  We went up to Market Rasen today to run Celticello in a hot looking novice chase.  He went off at 16-1 and George Bartlett (a very promising 7lb claimer) rode a smashing race to finish 2nd.  He settled at the tail of the field, and crept into contention delivering his challenge at the last, only to be denied close home.  It was a shame, but I was very pleased with how he jumped and I am chuffed with how the horses are running from Folly House.

What a start we've had from Folly House - Knighton Combe won the Summer National at Uttoxeter today.  Daryl rode a very canny race, and settled 'Conkers' in mid division, before creeping his way into contention going down the back straight before delivering his challenge from the 2nd last, and won going away.  I cannot quite believe that we have sent out 2 runners from Folly House since our move, and both have won.  Ixora won a class 2, and now Knighton Combe has won a class 1.....!!!

It was lovely to have a big winner for my parents, who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, and have been a massive support over the years.  Today was a very emotional win, as last year we sat down with John Dufosee (who part owned Conkers with my parents), and we mapped out a route to the Summer National, and it paid off handsomely.  However, poor Duff passed away last summer, and wasn't here to see the plan come off.

We have now moved into Folly House....the horses moved up on Tuesday and we have been manically busy getting everything sorted out but thanks to an awful lot of hard work from all the staff, and our families we are now settled in and fully functioning. 

We have had a couple of mornings on the gallops now, and it is like riding on a a carpet, or skiing 'off piste'...they are truly amazing.  The yard is gorgeous, and the house is wonderful - we are extremely lucky to have fallen on our feet.  The horses have settled in remarkably quickly, and seem to be very happy already.  I am thoroughly looking forward to the season ahead.....

Obviously this website is in the process of being updated, and the new one will become 'live' within the next week or so, but until then this blog will be kept up-to-date.

Marodima ran a good race to just be touched off at Southwell on Tuesday, however the poor chap came back lame, and on investigation he has fractured his pubis bone.  He made a mistake at the last when upsides the eventual winner, and must have done it then.  He'll now be confined to box rest for the next 6 weeks.

We are set to run Bid Art and Optimistic Duke at Fontwell this evening.  Bid Art is always better slightly fresher, and we have left him 'under cooked' for this run which will hopefully see him in his best light, but he is fairly exposed by the handicapper.  Optimistic Duke is having his first run for us, and shows a good turn of foot at home, but is a bit deliberate at his hurdles.  I think he'll be a better chaser, so we'll feel our way this evening, and hope to learn more about him.

We celebrated my Birthday yesterday with a fine win by Ixora in the Intermediate hurdle over 2 miles at Worcester.  Tom O'Brien was on board once more to make it 2 winners from 3 starts since Ixora has joined our yard.  She had been off the track since disappointing on heavy ground at Towcester in November, but she bounced back in good style.  I'll see how she comes out of the race, but we may be forced into running before the handicapper has his say, but she'd have to be 100% right to turn her out again within 2 weeks. 

We send Marodima to Southwell tomorrow evening in what looks to be a winnable race.  Fingers crossed he runs another decent race.

Lucy, Lettie and I picked up the keys to our new home yesterday.  We popped up to Lambourn and Merrick handed over the keys to Folly House, we had a wander around and opened up a bottle to celebrate.  We will begin the move this week, and aim to get our cottage moved up there by the weekend, and get Lucy and Lettie settled in over the next week.  We will then move the staff cottages, and the office, and finally we'll move the horses that are in at the moment, and aim to be in situ by the weekend of 18th-19th June.  How exciting.....

The Horseshoe Inn (Pat and Tony) put on a smashing farewell party for the yard on Monday, and invited many of our owners for a surprise BBQ.  It was an emotional goodbye to a village that has been very good to us in our first 3 years of training.  It'll be very sad to leave, but we have a very exciting future at Folly House, and it is the next rung up the ladder for us.  We started out nearly 3 years ago with one horse, and now we have 30 for next winter.  We have sent out 20 winners from here in 2 and a half years, and fingers crossed this will escalate from Folly House.....

On the racing front - Horseshoe Reef ran a much improved race at Uttoxeter on Sunday to be 3rd.  He probably ran a bit too free in a first time visor, and didn't quite get the 3 miles.  However, it was a big step up for him, and I have no doubt we'll get him back to winning ways before long.  I was slightly disappointed that Knighton Combe was beaten at Stratford on Friday evening as he was 5lb well in, and in good form at home, but he is better fresh, and the handicapper rather forced our hand to run him, and he may have been a bit flat.  We'll wait for the summer national with him now. Celticello ran well enough at Fontwell, but it turned into a bit of a sprint for home, and he was outpaced, and we may well go novice chasing with him.  While Oscar Charlie was on his last chance and ran no race, so we'll give up with him now, and send him off to do another job....! 

Marodima was 3rd at Newton Abbot on Monday - I thought he'd run well, and Tom O'Brien almost nicked the race and turning in I thought he had done enough, but he was just caught close home by the winner, and then lost 2nd on the line. 

We have got eight 'Summer Jumpers' this season, and since the turn of the new season we have run 7 of them - 6 have been placed and one has won.  They have been running extremely well, but have just been knocking on the door......

Our new arrival to the family, Lettie, has started to settle in - both her and Lucy are very well, if a little tired...!  Lettie has already been up watching on the gallops, she has been learning Sage accounts in the office, and she has been introduced to lunch in The Horseshoe Inn - starting as she means to go on.....

Lettie Snowden arrived safely into the world at 5am on Friday 13th May 2011.  I took Lucy into Salisbury hospital on Thursday evening, and after a sleepless night we had a beautiful daughter to show for it. They spent a night in hospital and I brought them home yesterday evening.  Its an absolutely amazing feeling, and Lucy and I are so appreciative of all the messages of congratulations. 

On the racing front, Knighton Combe ran another very good race and finished 2nd in the feature staying handicap hurdle at Stratford today. He is Mr.Consistent, and is a fantastic horse to have in the yard, but it is frustrating as the handicapper won't give him a chance, and he's bound to go up again. 

Horseshoe Reef was a little bit disappointing yesterday at Bangor, but having won at Plumpton earlier last month he's gone up a class, and was outpaced.  We'll therefore step him up in trip, and I think we'll also put some head gear on him next time.  We run Marodima at Newton Abbot tomorrow and I would like to think he has a very good chance......

Celticello tried to gain back to back wins at Fontwell yesterday, but just came up short.  Fontwell is a tricky track to ride a hold up horse, and last time Ryan gave him a peach of a ride as every gap opened like the red sea.  Unfortunately yesterday each gap that Ryan tried to find closed on him, and the race got away before we got a run.  Cest la vie, and we'll look to give him a few easy days off out in the paddock before planning our next route of attack.  Celticello is still a novice over fences, so we may take that route, or else we could run him back in a 2m2 handicap at Fontwell, or drop him into claiming company. 

We head to Bangor on Saturday with Horseshoe Reef who runs in the 2m4 chase.  I am looking forward to having him back on the track, and also to seeing Knighton Combe run at Stratford in the 3m3 handicap hurdle.  We'll also run Marodima at Newton Abbot on Monday, and by then I'd hope that Lucy will have had our baby.....! 

Our horses have all run well this week, and they have all been placed, but unfortunately they have all found one or two too good.  El Diego ran well over fences at Exeter to finish 2nd, and he now deserves a summer holiday, and I am sure that we'll find him winning his fair share of races through the winter months.  Bid Art ran his usual good race at Newton Abbot on Thursday to finish 3rd, and he's sure to win a race over the next month or so.  Polmar ran a far better race to finish third in a novice hurdle at Wincanton on Thursday, but still rates as slightly disappointing, and Oscar Charlie was 3rd in a handicap chase at Wincanton on the same card. 

We have now turned most of our 'winter' horses out in the paddocks for their summer holidays, and will have 8 or so to run over the summer months.  We are set to move up to Folly House in around 6 weeks time, and I hope to be able to kick start up there in the form that we are in at the moment.  Fingers crossed for an exciting new season.....

Zava River ran in the bumper at Fontwell on Tuesday and I was very happy with his run.  Having been shuffled back to be last of the 14 runners, I think he did very well to run on so encouragingly to finish 6th.  I watched the race again last night, and he was still green enough when he was in amongst other horses, but when Daryl asked him to go through the gap, he sliced through the field like a knife through butter.  He'll make a very nice novice hurdler after a good summer at grass, where he must strengthen up to fill his frame.  I cannot wait.  Bid Art ran on the same card, but despite being sent off second favorite he finished only 4th.  I blame myself really as he is best fresh, and I think he was slightly over cooked.  We'll freshen him up now, and run at Newton Abbot in 3 weeks time.

Knighton Combe runs at Wincanton today in the feature Somerset National over 3 miles 3 furlongs.  He's in great form, but at the age of 11 he probably needs a little help from the handicapper, but being such a consistent performer, that will never really happen.  He's a stable star, and fingers crossed he runs another sound race for us.

We had a fun runner at Cheltenham on Wednesday when Celticello ran in the competitive 2m handicap hurdle.  He didn't run badly, but was outclassed as it turned into a sprint from 2 out.  However, we had a great day with a fantastic lunch followed by an evening at the sales, where I bought a very exciting 4 year old called Shinko Moon.  He is a strikingly handsome gelding by Shinko Forest, out of an Environment Friend mare.  He finished 3rd on his racecourse debut in a bumper at Exeter, where Daryl rode him, and then he won as he pleased at Wincanton on his next start.  Daryl described him as a flying machine - and that is saying something.....!  He is for sale to stay in the yard, so please do call me if you are interested.

Having bought Shinko Moon, we were about to head off home, when all of a sudden Tony Bath (landlord of The Horseshoe Inn) gave me a nudge, and told me to bid on a lovely 4 year old store by Dom Alco.  Tony had done his homework, liked the horse outside, and he told me that he wanted him....!  I duly put my hand in the air, and to Pat's complete surprise Tony bought the gelding who is from the family of Innox and Kelami.  He has been backed and ridden away, so we'll look to teach him a bit more now, before giving him a break and then having him on the track in the autumn. 

It was lovely to see El Diego running nicely and finishing 3rd at Wincanton on Sunday.  It was his second time over fences, and after an unlucky introduction to chasing at Exeter the previous week, where he was brought to a standstill by 2 fallers, he jumped with aplomb at Wincanton, and Richie McLernon nursed him around and let him run on at the finish. Marodima finished 4th the same afternoon, having made a bad mistake at the water, and was a little bit stiff afterwards.  Oscar Charlie ran a good race over 2 miles, where he was slightly out paced before running on at the finish.  It was unfortunate that Horseshoe Reef was forced into making the running yesterday at Plumpton, and so did not have the run of the race, and couldn't follow up his previous win at the track, but he'll have another chance over the summer. 

We head to Taunton this evening where Marsh Court is down to run before heading off to visit Midnight Legend.  However, the ground will be pretty rattling, and I'm not sure we'll risk her on that type of ground, especially as she is better on softer ground.  We'll have a walk before racing, and then decide. 

As the sun continues to shine, so we are turning more of the string out in the paddock for their holidays, and most of the staff are starting to have a well deserved break as well.  It won't be for long, as we have now exchanged on Folly House, and we are getting ready for the big move up there in June.  With Lucy expecting to have our baby within the next 2-3 weeks as well, it promises to be a busy but very exciting summer......

Knighton Combe was back on form at Exeter on Tuesday - he ran a cracking race to finish 3rd in a hot novice hurdle.  I was chuffed that he showed his old zest, as he had finished lame at Sandown in the Grand Military Gold Cup after running a rather lack luster race.  We also ran Zava River in the bumper at Exeter - he was as green as grass, and Daryl held him up and let him run on past beaten horses to finish 6th of 14.  He will be a smashing horse when the penny drops, and we may well run him once more this season before he has the summer off to grow up. 

We're not at Aintree this year - Too Forward did us proud in the Topham in our first season here, and we have rather lacked a standout horse this season.  We have had a lot of babies this season, which will hopefully mature into horses that we can take to the top stage, but we have missed not having runners at the festivals this season - however I am sure that our patience will be rewarded during the next couple of seasons. 

How close can Bid Art get to winning without winning?  Firstly at Stratford on Saturday, and then at Plumpton yesterday.  Sam Twiston-Davies had just kicked him 3 lengths clear going into 2 out, and he looked to have the field well beaten, when he met the fence wrong, got in a bit tight, didn't get high enough, and paid the price.  Thankfully, both horse and jockey were unscathed, but Bid Art has come within a whisker of having 2 winners in as many days, but for a bit of bad luck......

On a different note - as you will have read I recently bought Celticello, a 9 year old gelding by Celtic Swing out of a Royal Academy mare, who is as  sound as a pound, is rated 114 over hurdles, and is a novice over fences.  I was thinking our first run may be at Cheltenham on 13th April in a handicap hurdle over 2 miles 1 furlong.  I am syndicating out 1/5th shares in him at a purchase price of £1500, and there are only 2 shares left in him.  I think this is exceptional value especially as he will hopefully be running at Cheltenham in 2 weeks time....Exciting times lie ahead, so send me an e-mail or give me a call to join our syndicate (07779 497 563).

We didn't have an awful lot of luck at Exeter on Tuesday.  El Diego was having his first run over fences, in an 8 runner handicap.  He was jumping superbly and then was all but brought down at the 9th fence, Harry Skelton got him back into the race, and then he was all but brought down for the second time at the 12th fence, so Harry had to pull up.....!  We also had Graduation Night running in the handicap hurdle - he has been progressive all season, but got stuck in the glue of Folkestone last time out. Unfortunately Ryan Mahon missed the start, and jumped off last on the wide outside - poor Graduation Night would have had to have been Long Run to win from there....! 

We did have a new arrival to the team last week - we previously trained a horse called Celticello for Lucy Horner, and having improved him in just 3 runs, Lucy Horner was approached with a very attractive offer, and obviously had to sell him.  I was gutted as he is a smashing horse, and I knew he'd win us some nice races.  Anyway, I managed to buy him back last week, and I am putting together a very inexpensive syndicate, and we are hoping to run him for the first time at Cheltenham on 13th April.   Do please give me a call if you'd be interested in joining the club.....(07779 497563)

We had another winner yesterday when Horseshoe Reef put in a spectacular round of jumping to win the novice handicap chase at Plumpton.  Sam Twiston - Davies rode to the letter of our instructions, and Horseshoe Reef finally put his head in front after a row of placed efforts last season.  He definitely prefers the quicker ground, and having won after 1st March, he remains a novice over fences until October, so we could have some fun with him over the summer months.  It was the first time he has won in the Northern Hemisphere after winning on the flat out in his native Australia.

On Friday we went to Sandown for the Grand Military Gold Cup day, and we ran Knighton Combe in the big race.  He never really travelled that well, but was getting into a challenging position after the second last when he appeared to go wrong.  He finished lame, and I hope he hasn't injured his suspensory which he injured last season.  We'll get him scanned and see how we stand.  Marodima ran a good race in the handicap chase, but just struggled since the handicapper clobbered him for winning so well at Fontwell last month. 

Unfortunately Marsh Court showed some of her old traits at Wincanton last week, when she dropped herself out of the back of the pack, and Tom O'Brien pulled her up as she was never going a yard.  We'll freshen her up again, and look to go back to her beloved Taunton where she has won twice before.  

I am looking forward to the festival this week, and think Lucy and I may go up on Wednesday, so I hope we may see some of you there.  Fingers crossed some of our nice youngsters will be there in a year or two.....

We had some very exciting news last week - we've had an offer accepted to buy a yard and house on the edge of Lambourn, called Folly House.  It is a lovely secluded yard from where Mr.Mulligan was trained to win the 1997 Gold Cup, and it has immediate access to all the amazing facilities that the jockey club estates have invested so heavily into over the last couple of years.  It will be a shame to leave Ebbesbourne Wake, but we've had an excellent start here, and now is the time to move to the next level of the training ranks, and with that we need to expand with better facilities, and a yard of our own.   We will remain here until the end of June, when we will move up to Folly House.  We have been extremely fortunate as all of our owners are supporting our move and so we'll move up with 30 horses and the majority of the staff will come with us too.  With so many promising young horses in our team, it really is a very exciting time for us all.

Other news has been on the racecourse, with Knighton Combe running a fantastic race in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown over the weekend, where he lumped 12st 5llbs to finish 3rd beaten only 2 lengths.  Lucy Horner gave him a peach of a ride around the inside before switching wide to challenge in the straight, and just getting beaten. 

Lucy had her first runner of the season in a point-to-point on Saturday when Tea Caddy went up to Larkhill to run in a maiden for her racecourse debut.  Robbie Henderson rode her, and unfortunately she fell early on when she just clipped the top of the fence and left her landing gear behind.  Luckily both horse and Robbie are fine, and we'll probably run her again this weekend.  Jumping is one of her strong suits, and it has to be put down as just 'one of those things'!   

Another good days racing at Fontwell yesterday as Marodima romped away with a handicap hurdle.  Daryl gave him a peach of a ride, as he carried out our pre race tactics with aplomb, however the only negative was winning by 18 lengths, so we may be forced into running him again quickly with a penalty.  Luckily I entered him at Kempton on Friday just in case, and I think we'll head there as he trotted out sound and well this morning.  Zava River had his first start in a bumper yesterday, and ran with an awful lot of credit.  He was a little bit keen, and buzzed early on, and looked green when asked to quicken, but then stayed on strongly up the hill towards the finish - he'll be a nice horse in time.

We ran Graduation Night at Chepstow on Friday where he finished a very close 4th in a competitive handicap hurdle.  He seems to be progressing well with every run, and he certainly would have been 3rd, if not 2nd on Friday had he jumped better.  I'll do some work with his hurdling over the next week or so, and then we'll run him again.  I like him a lot, and as Dickie Johnson said "he's still not the finished article, but when he is he'll be a smashing 3 mile chaser".   We also gave Sandy's Double (Saddlewood's brother) his first sight of the racecourse in a novice hurdle again at Chepstow.  He jumped brilliantly, traveled well, got outpaced turning into the home straight and galloped on to the line to finish a very respectable 7th.  He's another nice youngster we have, and will be twice the horse next year.

Racing is one big roller coaster of a ride - Marsh Court was a very good winner at Taunton yesterday afternoon, and Knighton Combe overcame a year off the track to finish 3rd in a good novice hurdle at Folkestone.  On the sad side of the day, we had Prince Du Beury scanned following his Fontwell run and our worst fears were confirmed as he has fractured his pelvis.  

The enigmatic Marsh Court showed us all how patience is a virtue as she put last seasons nightmares behind her, and jumped to a cozy win in the handicap chase.  Aidan Coleman gave her a peach of a ride, but all credit must go to my head girl (Kate Robinson) who has transformed the mare.  Marsh Court has lived outside this winter, and done all of her work on the hunting field, with Kate working tirelessly to convince the owners (Mrs. Johnson and John Cole) and myself that the old Marsh Court was back....!  We ran her in ear plugs - if its good enough for Nicky Henderson, then its good enough for us - and they certainly seemed to help, as she behaved perfectly.

Meanwhile, Daryl was down at Folkestone with Knighton Combe, who had sustained an injury to his suspensory after his last run in the build up to last seasons Scottish National.  It has been a long road back, and thankfully he ran a super race to finish 3rd, pulling some way clear of a big field. That should put him spot on for a crack at those Military races at Sandown before heading to Ayr for the Scottish National. 

We have only had a couple of runners over the last few weeks, mainly due to the fact that it has been so wet.  The majority of our horses want better ground, and are waiting for the spring.  That said we decided to let Saddlewood run at Folkestone on Tuesday in the heaviest of going, due to the fact it was a winnable race for her.  However, she has always had a wind problem, and even though we have treated her with a wind op, she would still be pretty 'thick winded', and the heavy ground certainly found her out as she finished 4th.  El Diego ran at Ffos Las on Sunday, and being by Saddlers Wells he would love the soft ground, but he ran a very strange race.  He tailed himself off at the half way stage, and then ran on like a steam train to finish 6th in a big field handicap.  I think we'll try to ride him closer up with the pace next time. 

We entered one of our old favorites, Knighton Combe, at Wincanton tomorrow.  It is his first entry for a while as he sustained an injury when he finished 3rd at Newbury last season, prior to a crack at the Scottish National.  He is now back and ready to run again - and is in great form.  We'll probably run him in a novice hurdle, before running in the military races at Sandown, and then trying to go for the Scottish National again.

Happy New Year - I trust everyone had a good Christmas and the best news is that the New Year has finally brought a thaw and some racing.....!  It seems to have been a very long and bleak December.  We finished it off with a run by El Diego at Uttoxeter on New Years Eve, and he ran very creditably in a novice hurdle, and he should now be eligible for a handicap mark.  He has improved with every run, his jumping is improving as well, and I hope we'll find an opening before too long.  Horseshoe Reef ran at Fakenham yesterday, and he disappointed really. It might sound strange to say, but I think he gets depressed in this miserable weather. Some horses like routine, and others don't, but all through the big freeze we've only been able to canter in circles and Horseshoe Reef likes doing different things everyday.  Also, being from Australia I think he likes the sun on his back.  We'll freshen him up, take him hunting, and now the weather is better we can turn him out again. We'll get him back to the form of last season, but we might need the weather to help us.

We ran three at Folkestone on Tuesday - our first runners after the big freeze, and it was very satisfying to see that they all had done enough work.  Saddlewood ran a cracking race for her first start over fences, she jumped beautifully and finished 3rd in a competitive little handicap.  Graduation Night put in a good run to finish 4th in an 18 runner novice hurdle.  He seems to be improving at a steady rate, and will come into his own when he's fully mature.  It was unfortunate that Machu Picchu finally showed he's lost his desire to race, and so he'll go on the transfer list, and we'll find a replacement. 

We took Sandy's Double and Oscar the Myth to Tollard Royal gallops this morning.  These gallops are a superb 1 mile of old turf, which rise steadily throughout.  I am keen to take Sandy's Double to Chepstow for a maiden hurdle, and Oscar the Myth will run in a bumper over the Christmas period. 

Well everyone is now bored of this weather - we've had it for nearly 2 weeks now, and despite keeping the horses cantering everyday, we are all rearing to get back into the swing of things.  I think we'll be able to get up and use the grass gallops tomorrow, so we can hope to get a couple of good bits of work into them all before we have a few runners next week.  The only issue now is that there will be a huge number of horses trying to run in the same races, and so horses will be balloted out left, right and centre.  To add to this issue the racing programme for the first quarter of 2011has not been published yet due to the latest cut in Levy Board expenditure, which has meant that the Levy Board is unable to set its Daily Basic Rates (prize money contributions) for racecourses, and until these are set, racecourses can not budget and prepare their programmes. 

Despite keeping everything ticking over, poor Lucy fell off her old boy (Sure Future) yesterday and broke her ankle!  We rushed her into hospital, and thankfully the little bump is fine, but Lucy's in a fair bit of pain as, being pregnant, she is only allowed aspirin for painkillers.  This proved agony when the doctors had to reset her ankle - ouch.....!  She'll be operated on today, and hopefully she'll be home tomorrow.

Horseshoe Reef had his first run of the season yesterday at Kempton in a beginners chase over 3miles.  He finished 4th, which wasn't too bad considering he jumped violently left handed, which doesn't help on a right handed course!  He has always had a tendency to go left, but I hoped it wouldn't make a difference, but I was wrong.  He will come on a lot for the run, and I think we'll drop him back in trip and certainly run him left handed in future.  We also ran Marodima at Ludlow, and he looked as though he had completely fallen out with the game as he didn't even try - or else he was sulking at the visor I had put on him....!  He has his problems and we'll give him another break now.  Apart from winning at Plumpton for us on his first start, his best run was at Fontwell after a break where he finished 2nd and only went down by a head. 

We had a couple of runners yesterday at Exeter and Lingfield.  El Diego ran a promising race at Exeter in a novice hurdle.  It was bottomless ground having had torrential rain for 24 hours, and he ran passed beaten horses to finish 5th.  He is slowly getting the hang of the jumping game, and will be seen to best effect once handicapping in the right grade.  Unfortunately Marodima ran one of his poor races - he seems to either run very well or very badly, and there isn't much in between!  We'll drop him back into claimers, and hope to upgrade in due course.  Xtravaganza had her first attempt at chasing, and she is simply scopless and slow, so she unfortunately is on the transfer list.  She'll make a cracking ladies hunter or first girls horse as she jumps well - let me know if you know of anyone who she would suit.

We schooled a few of the babies this morning.  Sandy's Double is proving to be an excellent jumper, and I cannot wait to see him on the track, but he won't be seen to best effect until he is chasing.  Sutton Who and Zava River had their second go over poles this morning, and they are really getting the hang of jumping.  Zava River is going to be pretty sharp, and will come to hand very quickly, where as Sutton Who will be slower to develop and again won't be seen to best effect until he is chasing.  It was lovely to see Barton Grey jump again for the first time since she broke down a year ago.  She still retains all her enthusiasm for it, and although was a little rusty to begin with, she soon warmed into it well, and is a natural jumper. 

We'll be up on the grass again tomorrow with some of the babies, and then we'll take a few out hunting on Saturday - its a good all round education for them.... and fun for the staff as well.....!

We have only had a couple of runners over the last week or so, as we are desperately waiting for some rain.  El Diego ran a far better race at Towcester on Sunday, and is learning all the time.  I am looking forward to seeing him jump a fence in due course, and also to see him on some 'proper' soft ground.  Machu Piichu needed his run at Towcester, he took a good blow, and will come on a ton for that.  Unfortunately we didn't have any luck at Stratford on Saturday - Marodima ran a flat race, and we'll turn him out in the paddock for a few weeks again, and Optimaxer tipped up at the 4th flight of hurdles, so we didn't learn anything from his run.  We'll begin to gear up for the season next week, and we should have a few runner including Glenn Lass, Graduation Night, Ixora, and Polmar.  I am looking forward to seeing Polmar back over fences at either Sandown or Wincanton on Saturday 6th November, and also to seeing Ixora on the track again.  She is a smashing filly who won very easily at Ffos Las earlier this month, I like her a lot and she is amazingly still for sale....!

Away from the yard Lucy and I do have some excellent news - Lucy is pregnant and is due on 9th May....!  We went into Salisbury hospital on Friday for our 12 week scan, and all looks good, well all looks quite scary really!  Lucy and I are convinced the baby will be ginger, so its nickname is 'Tango'.  Its fantastic news, but poor Lucy is suffering pretty badly from morning sickness.

Polmar ran at Huntingdon yesterday in a novice hurdle to give him a good pipe opener.  It was a case of mission accomplished as he travelled well and jumped brilliantly in front until he was done for speed 2 hurdles from home.  Unfortunately Daryl sat too still on him all the way and set the race up for the speedier types.  However, he has had a run out on the track, and we'll now head to either the Beecher Chase at Aintree with him, or the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton.   He's a good strong galloper, and I cant wait to see him over further and the bigger obstacles. 

On a different note we took 5 up to gallop at Salisbury racecourse this morning.  The ground was on the soft side of good, and we worked over 1m6.  I rode Graduation Night, who I was most impressed by.  He has really matured over the summer, and he kept galloping all the way up the straight.  He'll go to either Exeter on 2nd November or Hereford on 7th November, but I'd probably favor Exeter.  Sultan du Touzaine worked nicely with Graduation Night, and then we worked Xtravaganza with Glenn Lass and Optimaxer.  Optimaxer worked well, but hung badly left handed, so we'll have to try to remedy that before he runs at Stratford later this month.  While Glenn Lass and Xtravaganza worked well together.  Glenn Lass will go to Plumpton on 1st November, and I'm looking forward to seeing Xtravaganza over fences this season.

Ixora ran very well yesterday to win a Mares only Novice hurdle at Ffos Las.  Tom O'Brien gave her an excellent ride, as she scooted clear off the final bend, and winged the last 2 flights of hurdles to win by 4 lengths going away.  As the Racing Post wrote "she was still a little green at some stages, so she should have more to come".  Tom O'Brien explained that Ixora will handle soft ground, would definitely jump a fence, and that she has plenty of speed, but would also stay 2m4 as well.  So she seems a very versatile filly!  I fell in love with her when I first saw her and was very impressed not only with her pedigree, but also with her form in Ireland, so I bought her there and then.  She is a lovely filly, and is still for sale, so do give me a call if you are interested. (07779 497563)

Marodima ran an absolute cracker jack of a race yesterday - he finished 2nd (only beaten half a length) in the feature handicap chase at Fontwell.  Daryl gave him a peach of a ride, but was gutted to be beaten by such a margin - 2nd is a very frustrating place to finish!  El Diego had his first introduction to hurdling, and ran well, but made a few mistakes and Daryl looked after him.  He'll be a smashing horse when we go handicap chasing. 

We're off to Huntingdon today with Mista Rossa and Saddlewood - unfortunately they are both in the same race, and we hope it doesn't rain too much this afternoon.  We're stepping Saddlewood up in trip, which she should appreciate, and Mista Rossa should go well if it is not too soft.   Our next entries will be at Ffos Las next Sunday.

Little Bid Art ran at Fontwell again yesterday and he ran below par really.  He's had a long summer, and it is time he went on his winter holiday again.  He's had a busy few months since his win in April, when the handicapper lumped him with an extra 2 stone...!  He's run so consistently since and therefore the handicapper has not really relented on him, however he should get a few pounds from yesterday and he'll be back in the spring fresh and well.

Daryl came in on Wednesday and we had a very intensive schooling morning.  Ixora was one of the highlights - she jumped brilliantly and is a super filly who I rate very highly.  I'd like to get her onto the track relatively soon and I might look at a National Hunt mares novice hurdle at Ffos Las on 10th October for her.  She is looking for an owner so I may syndicate her out, but would like to keep a share of her as she could be very special. 

Daryl also popped Graduation Night, who looks to have really grown up for his summer holiday, and will hopefully turn into a nice staying hurdler for the season - he loves his jumping and is a natural.  El Diego jumped very well, and looks to be a nice type who we will try to run at Worcester on 7th October.  Of the others The Hungry Monk took my eye on only his second schooling session over hurdles, and is one to note for the future; and the same applies to Sandy's Double who will begin straight over hurdles as he will be waiting to go chasing.

We held our annual Owners Open Day on Sunday, and I think it all went very smoothly.  We paraded 30 horses in front of about 90 guests before we sat down to some hog roast for lunch.  Our staff worked tirelessly (as ever) and I was very proud of what we have all achieved over the last 2 years.  We began on 1st July 2008 with one horse, and one member of staff (Kate), and now we have over 30 horses on the books, and they all looked magnificent. 

One horse to note was a filly called Ixora who had came over from Ireland 2 days prior to the Open Day.  She is for sale, and I think she could be very special. Ixora is a 4 year old Milan filly who has run 5 times in Ireland.  She finished 8th in her first start in the Punchestown Bumper and she finished 4th on her second run.  She has run in 3 novice hurdles where she finished 2nd (beaten a head) on the first occasion, and then got hampered and carried out at the last on her second run, when I think she could have won.  She then finished 3rd on her last start.  She is therefore still a maiden, and is a smashing looker, who would jump a fence as well.  She is well bred, by Milan out of a mare called Tucacas, who won 10 of her 27 starts on the flat, over hurdles and over fences.  Tucacas was rated 142 over hurdles and 131 over fences at her peak, and this Milan is her first foal.  If anyone is interested in her, then do give the me a call, or send me an e-mail.

As there is no racing this week, it is a great time to be putting a lot of work into the horses, and then when the beginning of October comes, we should start to have some of the 'winter' horses back out on the track again.  I cannot wait.....

Mista Rossa won yesterday at Huntingdon.  Lucy Horner gave him another wonderfully patient ride, as she sat off the field for most of the way, before creeping closer down the back and delivering him with a well timed run between the last 2 flights of hurdles.  He won pretty well, and luckily I had him entered up this weekend in a chase and a couple of hurdle races.  We'll pop a fence with him today and decide whether to head to Fontwell over fences without a penalty, or to Newton Abbot over hurdles with a 7lb penalty. 

Marodima finished third last night at a very wet Ffos Las.  He was outgunned to begin with, and then stayed on so strongly at the end that Tom O'Brien could hardly pull him up at the end of the race.  We'll give him a little break now, freshen him up and go again in the Autumn. 

Bid Art ran another sound race last week back at Fontwell.  He again was third (we seem to be having a bit of third itis), and had every chance coming to the last, and then was slightly intimidated by the other two horses, and made a slight mistake which cost him dear. 

We're now getting very busy here, as we have 29 in at the moment, and another 3 to come back in, so we should have a good number to go to war with for the winter months.  Lucy and I therefore took the chance to go away last weekend, as we were very kindly invited grouse shooting up in Northumberland at Richard Kelvin-Hughes' Knarsdale Estate.  It was an excellent weekend, and I shot my first grouse with my first shot - beginners luck! 

We took three down to Newton Abbot yesterday.  Mista Rossa ran a blinder to finish 3rd (beaten only 3 lengths), and he was given a peach of a ride by Lucy Horner.  She held him up, and crept down the inner, and pounced late and fast.  Unfortunately she met a bit of traffic around the last bend, but for that then who knows.....  He definitely appreciated the step up in trip, and the tender handling.  We'll probably step him up in trip again, and either head to Newton in 10 days or Huntingdon at the end of the month. 

Bid Art ran his usual sound race, but a combination of the overnight rain getting into the ground, and also being in the grip of the handicapper since his Fontwell win, meant he struggled a little.  Glen Lass was a little disappointing in first time blinkers, but she jumped well and is just slow....!  We'll see how she is over the next few days, but she could go to Hereford next week for a fillies juvenile.

We took 3 to Whitsbury to work up the straight mile yesterday.  Glenn Lass, Bid Art, and Mista Rossa are all set to run at Newton Abbot on Tuesday, so they went for a bit of a pipe opener.  We worked Glenn Lass in a pair of blinkers and she worked very nicely, I then schooled her in them this morning, and again she was foot perfect. They seem to sharpen her up, and I would hope she could run a big race on Tuesday.  Mista Rossa has a lot of ability, but doesn't always put it all in, so I was very pleased that he worked well too. I hope the break we gave him in June will pay in our favour so he's fresh for Newton Abbot.  Bid Art looks in great form, and providing he's still not too badly handicapped, then I can see him being competitive as well.

We also had an exciting new arrival to Manor Farm today.  Polmar - is a big bay 7 year old gelding, who won a grade 1 chase at the Punchestown Festival in April this year on his last start.  He's rated 125 over fences and can go to some big tracks for Saturday racing over the Winter, he is also a novice over hurdles....!  He'll be on show at our Open Day and is for sale at a reasonable price, so let me know if you are interested. 

Lucy and I have spent the last week in a rather rainy Scotland.  We stayed at Inverawe Smokehouses with some family friends of Lucy's and we fished on the river Awe, so actually it was rather nice that it was raining.  The river was full and there were some fish around, and I was one of the lucky few who landed a salmon.  In between fishing we had a few rounds of golf, and I have to say that my golf is finally improving (slowly)...!

We are now back and the yard is filling up again, and there is a back to school feeling as the summer holidays are over and the new term is upon us.  Today we have 7 coming in including Horseshoe Reef, Sultan de Touzaine, and Graduation Night (Sergeant Cecil's half brother) who have all been over at Andrew Wardall's stud.  We also have Barton Grey coming in having had a year off with a leg injury, and Marsh Court who is in to Point this season.    They will all walk for a week, and then start to trot around the hills for a good 3-4 weeks before we start to canter.

We ran Bid Art and Glenn Lass on Sunday at Stratford.  Bid Art ran a nice race, and looked to hold a winning chance coming to the last, until he was bumped going into it and so made a blunder, and then it was game over for him.  Having finished 2nd on her first start over hurdles, we were hoping for another solid race from Glenn Lass, however she failed to run her race.  We'll have her back on song before long and ready for her next start. 

Its a busy time here at the moment as we've got a lot of babies to back and ride away.  The Zagreb looks a very smart three year old, and he is for sale, although I am quite keen to keep a share in him as he looks sure to do well.  Of the others the Dark Moondancer is coming along nicely (just as well as he is owned by my Father-in-law...!) and the Turgeon looks a precocious type.  Those are just being ridden away as we speak, but we also have a few lovely youngsters which have just started cantering. Most notably the Bertolini who looks very mature and well balanced, and Tea Caddy who looks to be a nice horse.  One I do like is The Hungry Monk, who has the name to match his physique, and despite being green he is learning the ropes quickly.  As I say it is a busy but very rewarding time of year, and hopefully we'll have some exciting times to look forward to over the winter months.

I apologise for being 'off air' for the last couple of weeks, but Lucy and I took last week off and disappeared across the channel for a mini break.  Lucy's parents had taken a chateau to the south east of Paris in the champagne region, and had invited all of Lucy's siblings along with a few of our close friends.  We had a smashing week which was packed full with golf, tennis, food, and plenty of good vino. 

We came back to a yard which was thriving, and buzzing for the season ahead. Having turned out a lot of the horses for the summer, we then steam cleaned the whole yard, and already have 21 horses back in. These are a mix of new babies which we are backing, we also have started to bring in some of the older horses who went out in the early part of the spring, and we have some others to go summer jumping.  I currently estimate that we'll have a total of 34 for the winter months.

Having been back from France we have run 3 this week.  Saddlewood ran well in a mares event on Tuesday evening where she finished 6th of 14.  She'll benefit from a drop in grade, and I hope to pick up a small race with her later in the summer.  Oscar Charlie had his first run over hurdles at Worcester last night, and finished 3rd in a very hot little event, where the winner was 4th at Royal Ascot this year!  Miss Nightshade was our other runner, and she was having her first start over fences.  She was in the process of running a nice race, when she made a terrible mistake at the second last and lost her action, so Daryl sensibly pulled her up and jumped off her straight away.  It turned out that she pulled both of her front shoes off, and is pretty sore.  Fingers crossed she'll live to fight another day.

We haven't had that many runners recently, as we have been concentrating on doing the annual steam cleaning of the yard, and turning a lot of the horses out for their summer holidays. However, we do still have 21 in at the moment, which are a mixture of our summer runners, and babies that are in to be backed and ridden away.

Marodima ran yesterday at Worcester, where he was in the process of running a nice race and looked like being 2nd, when he made a bad blunder 4 out, which cost him dear.  David Bass took a valuable 7lbs off him, and I was encouraged by his run.  We ran Machu Picchu at Newton Abbot on Tuesday, where he finished 5th, but was outpaced all the way.  I think we'll give him a break now, and run him on soft ground through the winter as he looks like a true galloper. Oscar Charlie ran last week in a bumper at Newton and he finished 5th in a very competitive little race.  He needs to go jumping and will be out in the next couple of weeks.

We have some interesting new recruits on the farm, including a few more youngsters to play with.  One of the most recent acquisitions is a 6 year old Saddlers Wells gelding who has come off the flat to go jumping.  He's called El Diego and I part own him with Peter Lambert.  He was bred by Coolmore, and was bought out of Ballydoyle for £120k to go to Jeremy Gask's (which is where Horseshoe Reef came from).  He has won two races on the flat over 1m4 and he reached an official mark of 80 on the flat.  We've already had him jumping poles, and he looks a natural jumper.  If anyone is interested in a quarter share of him or wants to pop in to see him, then do please give me a call. (He's a fair bit cheaper than his original price tag of £120k!)

Well Glenn Lass survived her first run over hurdles at Bangor on Tuesday.  She finished 2nd and was only beaten by Evan Williams' hot pot.  However that only tells you half the story.  As I have previously written in this blog - we have done a lot of jumping with her in our outdoor school, which cannot be said for most of the others in the race.  It was like a pin ball machine or a game of bumper cars (or horses).  Our poor mare was jumped into from left right and centre.....! They ran about in front of her and blocked her into the first, so she was shuffled to the back of the pack, and then she was hit by every loose horse on the park.  Our filly was very brave and genuine and rallied on to finish 2nd. Thankfully she is none the worse for the race, and remarkably doesn't have a scratch on her, so she'll have learnt a lot and she should hopefully give us all a bit of fun over the next few months.

We run Snope tomorrow at Stratford in the bumper.  Snope is a smashing little horse owned by Richard Kelvin - Hughes, who is one of Nicky Henderson's biggest owners.  Snope was in fact trained at Seven Barrows by Nicky, however he was a bit of a handful, and so Nicky suggested he went to a smaller yard to be given a bit of individual attention.  He then had a run in a Point-to-Point for Polly Gundry where he finished 5th, but ran through every fence on route.....!  He came here soon afterwards, and we have spent plenty of time trying to settle his mind.  Hopefully we have, but we'll soon see at 5.30 tomorrow afternoon......!

We ventured up North to Hexham at the weekend to run Marodima back in a handicap.  Unfortunately, with all his problems he is just not good enough these days, and so we'll pop him back into claimers again next time.  However, we did have a fun weekend out in Hexham, so all was not lost. 

Horseshoe Reef was slightly disappointing on Thursday at Newton Abbot however he has had a long season, and he's hardly had a break since he came over from Australia, so I think he deserves a good summer holiday now over at the stud. 

We head up to Bangor today with Glenn Lass, for her first run in a Juvenile hurdle.  We have done a lot of jumping with her over the last couple of months, so fingers crossed she holds up well in that department.  I think Evan Williams has a potential hot pot in there, however I hope she shows up well. 

We had a very productive time at the DBS store sale this week.  The trade was pretty slow, but the best horses still attracted plenty of support.  I bought a gorgeous Zagreb three year old out of an Accordion mare who is a full sister to Sir Jimmy Shand, who I knew well at Nicky Henderson's.  He is very correct, has a nice stamp to him, and should be relatively quick to hand.  He is for sale to obviously stay in the yard.

Lucy bought a horse for her Father to replace the retired Sure Future.  He is lovely four year old French bred gelding who is well related being from the family of Qaspal, L'Ami, Kelami, and Innox.  He is a big chasing type, who may take sometime to come to himself, so we'll go Pointing with him in his first season.  I think a season Pointing is a huge benefit to these big types.  It allows them to grow up and experience racing without being under the pressure that Bumpers put on young horses.  It has worked for many a Gold Cup winner - so fingers crossed.....!

We also came away with another three year old, which was not sold through the ring at £14K, and Derek Coles bought privately.  He is a compact three year old gelding by Turgeon who is well related to many good French horses including Bering who won the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly.  He'll come to hand quickly and looks a precocious type.

We had a very sad day on Wednesday when Bollitree Bob broke down at Exeter.  He has been a great horse for us, and was one of our winners last season.  Penelope Johnson bred him and has owned him throughout his career, where he has been plagued by injury.  Between his spells 'off games' he has frequently been in the winners enclosure, and has been a lovely horse to have in our yard. 

On some better news - Bid Art ran another sound race to be 3rd at Fontwell, and just needs the handicapper to give him another chance. Ocean Du Moulin was 4th at Exeter, and ran his usual race. He's off to the sales now, and would make someone a lovely Point-to-Point schoolmaster. 

Yesterday we secured our first winner on the board for the new season courtesy of Marodima at Plumpton.  Tom O'Brien popped him out in front and there he stayed for the 2 mile trip.  It was fantastic for Derek Coles and Brian Garbett as it was their first runner for us, in fact it was Brian's first ever runner.  He was in Cuba with a glass of champagne in his hand when I spoke to him yesterday.

Meanwhile Daryl Jacob was riding Horseshoe Reef at Worcester over fences for the first time.  He ran a cracker, and came third beaten only a neck and 3/4 of a length in a thrilling finish.  It was a shame for him not to get his head in front as he has been so consistent for us over hurdles, however he jumped with such fluency and I am sure his win is only around the corner.

Bid Art ran at Huntingdon last week with a penalty, but unfortunately the plan didn't really come off and he could only manage to finish 4th.  The handicapper has been very generous in dropping him one whole pound having put him up 13lbs for winning....!

Ocean du Moulin ran well at Fontwell last week to finish 5th beaten only a neck and half a length from being 3rd.  He stayed on far better than he has been doing, and we may run him again in the next week or so.  However he'll be off to the Ascot sales next month, and will be a super Point - to - Point schoolmaster for someone.

Magusta and Mista Rossa ran yesterday.  Unfortunately Magusta bled again, and Mista Rossa again showed that he is not in love with racing. Its very frustrating as he has plenty of ability, but he just acts as a spoilt teenager!  Daryl said that if he could speak English he would tell you the alphabet backwards.

We had an excellent day yesterday at Fontwell, as Bid Art provided Daryl Jacob with his first half century of winners in a season, courtesy of an immaculate jumping display in the 2m2 handicap chase.  He ended a bout of 'seconditis' with a 14th length triumph, which should help him turn a corner and gain further success through the summer.  Daryl did apologise for his margin of success as the handicapper is bound to have his say, so providing he's fit and well we'll try to run him next week with a penalty. 

Saddlewood ran a cracker yesterday and defied her odds of 80-1, to finish 4th in a 14 runner competitive mares novice hurdle.  She'll come on for the run, and we'll look to step her up in trip at Newton Abbott on 11th May. 

It was a great way to end the season, and fingers crossed Bid Art may be able to follow up by starting off next season (next week) in the same vein....!

We had some very disappointing news this week - Knighton Combe has tweaked a suspensory, and will be forced 'off games' for a while.  It is such a shame as we were targeting the 3m4 handicap at Cheltenham yesterday that was won by Gentle Ranger, whom we previously beat at Newbury in December.  The other option for Knighton Combe was the Scottish National - where he would have had a decent chance of a placing in a high profile race.  Heyho, these things happen and at least we picked it up early, and now he can have a deserved break over the summer, and hopefully be back next season, when he will still be a Novice over hurdles....!?!  I've also got those cross country races at Cheltenham in the back of my mind - watch this space.

We've had several new recruits to the yard this week, as we turn some out for their holidays and others come in.  We're also going through the usual steam cleaning program that we will do once a year to disinfect everything.  Its a busy time of year, especially as we get everyone off for their holidays as well.  We'll probably have about 8 or 9 to go summer jumping and they are stepping up their work routine as this warmer weather continues.  One filly to note that came in this week is a 3 year old called Glen Lass - she has won 5 races on the flat and has a mark of 61.  She has won over 1m2 and so looks the ideal type to go Juvenile hurdling with over the summer.  We'll let her settle into our environment, and then take her down to the big school at begin to teach her to jump.  I'm hoping that we can hit some of those early races in June and July with her.  We're just sorting out a little syndicate with her which has three definite members at the moment - however if anyone is interested then they should call asap. 

Second again.......!  Horseshoe Reef ran another cracker at Southwell over the brush hurdles, only to be denied by another one of Alan King's.  He is ultra consistent, and keeps on galloping and jumping.  We'll see if the handicapper will help us a bit, as off a mark of 120 he'll struggle to win a handicap.  If the handicapper doesn't help us, then I won't be afraid to pop him in a novice chase at the start of the new season. 

We had an annoying day at Chepstow yesterday when Marsh Court did her level best not to start again.  I think we'll call time with her racing career, and see if anyone would like to breed from her.  She has won three times for us over hurdles and fences; her brother has won 4 times; and her sister has won on the flat off a mark of 70.  She's a stunning mare and we are all obviously very fond of her, but if anyone is interested in putting her in foal then please do give us a call.

Valoroso had his second run in a bumper, and finished mid div.  He's a smashing horse, and will make some 3 mile chaser!  He'll go out for his summer holiday, but I am very much looking forward to having him back in next season.  Xtravaganza also ran yesterday and finished 6th in a 2m4 novice.  She's a bonny little filly, and she'll have her day on soft ground over 3 miles. 

What a difference a day makes....!  We ran Marsh Court at Warwick on Wednesday in what looked a very weak mares handicap hurdle.  She was favourite in the morning paper, and looked to have a good chance to follow up her second at Plumpton 3 weeks previously.  However, one of the other horses was withdrawn at the start, and being highly intelligent, Marsh Court decided to stay back with him when the tapes went back....! Needless to say it was a long way home after that!

Yesterday, was a different day altogether and we ran Mista Rossa and Valoroso at Chepstow.  We were never going to run Mista Rossa as the ground had turned to heavy, and he wants fast ground, however as only 6 were declared at 10am, we decided to change our plans and take our chance.  He finished a closing third, and showed us he is learning about this hurdling game, and I hope we'll have some fun with him over the summer. 

Valoroso ran a very eye catching race on his debut and finished 4th.  He is a beautifully big chasing sort, who relishes soft ground, and he loved his education, and might have been second had he not been squeezed up inside the final 100yds.  We'll keep him up and hope to get another run into him before the summer, but he'll be a novice hurdler to keep your eye on next season.

We're running Knighton Combe at Newbury tomorrow and we are claiming 7lbs off him with David Bass on board.  The handicapper has him in his grip off 127, so with David riding we'll effectively be off 120, and he last won off 123 over the course and distance, so I'm hoping for a big run.   We also run Horseshoe Reef at Stratford in a Novice Hurdle over 2m3.  Unfortunately Daryl cannot ride, but we have Harry Skelton on board, and I'm hoping he'll run a good race, as after finishing 2nd and 3rd for us, he deserves to get his head in front before he goes chasing.

The morning after the night before.....!  Sure Future won the local hunt race at Badbury Rings yesterday with Will  Brennan steering him around again.  He's run twice for us in the last two seasons, and won both times - what a legend...!

Were off to Fontwell today with Quondor Noire, who has proved disappointing in the past.  I hope the fitting of blinkers for the first time may spark a bit of improvement. 

Yesterday we took Bollitree Bob to Taunton, where he ran a sound race, but just needs a little help from the handicapper now.  His highest winning mark is 94, when he won for us at Newton Abbot in the summer, and he needs to drop a few pounds now in order to be competitive over this summer period.

We also ran Briteside at Plumpton, where she took a very nasty fall at the second fence.  Sadly it proved to be a fatal fall. 

Marsh Court showed a step up on her previous form this season when she finished 2nd yesterday at Plumpton in a mares handicap hurdle over 2m5.  We decided to put her back over hurdles, having appeared to loose her confidence over fences after her fall at Ffos Las earlier in the season.  We put David Bass up as we thought the mare would benefit from his 7lbs claim in heavy ground, and we put her in blinkers for the first time in order to concentrate her mind.  She ran a far better race and was not beaten far. I'd say we'll try to keep her to mares handicap hurdles for the time being, and then pop her back over fences in the spring.

We run Knighton Combe tomorrow at Folkestone in the Kent National.  Unfortunately he has top weight, but then he deserves it as he's run so well this season.  The ground will be pretty testing, but he's very tough and genuine, and should run another sound race for us.  Daryl is unable to ride him, so we have a very able substitute in Tom O'Brien, so fingers crossed we can give him a winner....

Yesterday was a big learning day for Sultan de Touzaine.   As the tapes went back he was jumped into and he shot off with his head in the air. Once he saw daylight he proceeded to run blindly whilst holding his breath for the first mile of the race.  Needless to say he finished and was a little bit wobbly.  However, he recovered quickly enough, and is A1 today.  We know he is a better horse than that, and the occasion just got to him. Next time we'll drop him right in, and settle him, once settled, he'll relax, and breathe, and therefore be able to run a race.  We've just got to draw a line through that and go again.

The band wagon rolls on to Doncaster tomorrow, where we run Knighton Combe in the big staying chase over 4 miles.  He is in super form having won 4 of his last 5 races, however the handicapper has had his say and he is now 20 pounds higher than he won his first race.  Lets hope the handicapper hasn't cought up with him just yet.........

We had a fun day at Taunton yesterday as Horseshoe Reef ran in a hot Novice Hurdle - having his first run for us.  He jumped brilliantly out in front, and was just touched off when finishing third (only beaten 2 lengths). He was a good horse on the flat in Australia, and is a natural jumper, so his career should blossom now. He is part owned by the Horseshoe Inn (our village pub), but half of him is still for sale - so do let me know if anyone is interested. 

Marsh Court ran last week, and disappointed. The fall she took at Ffos Las seems to have shaken her confidence, so we'll pop her back over hurdles and then we will step her up in trip on better ground.  Mista Rossa ran today at Exeter in a bog.  He ran well enough considering the ground was so terrible, and he'd missed a bit of work due to a stone bruise in his foot.  I do like him and I'm sure he'll have his day on some better ground once handicapping.

Tomorrow we head to Wincanton with our first 'home grown' youngster.  Sultan de Touzaine makes his racecourse debut in the bumper, he is a lovely type who will be a smashing horse in the future.  We rate this horse highly, but whatever he achieves this season will be a bonus as he jumps brilliantly.  It will be an emotional day for Judy (his owner), and all her family, so I hope he runs nicely and comes home having enjoyed himself.

We have been back to normal now for a week, and have put some serious work into all the horses.  Marsh Court was all set to run at Newbury on Wednesday, but that was snowed off, and so we declared her for Ludlow on Thursday - only for that to be off too!  As a result we have yet to have a runner in 2010.  All that is set to change tomorrow as Too Forward is running at Wincanton in the big 2m5 (0-125) Handicap Chase. He finished third for us last season at Cheltenham off a mark of 135, and the handicapper has given the old boy a chance by dropping him to a mark of 125.  We are claiming off top weight with Jimmy Derham (claims 7lbs), so theoretically he is off a mark of 118.  He should have a very good chance, given the heavy ground is in his favour- fingers crossed....

Today we took two lorry loads of bumper horses to Kempton to give them some experience away from home.  Horseshoe Reef acted as a lead horse, and we took Graduation Night, Sultan de Touzaine, Valoroso, and an unnamed Snurge.  It was a serious bit of work, and was very beneficial.  Graduation Night and Sultan de Touzaine are ready for their first runs, and will go in the next week or so, as will Horseshoe Reef.  The other two worked very well, but are a few weeks behind, and will be out later in the season.  It is so nice to have a good bunch of young horses, as they are the future - and it looks very promising....!

The snow is still here and its still cold, but we have managed to clear a route up to the "all-weather", and cleared the snow off the loop of the gallop.  Therefore we have got all the horses out and hacking around the loop.  It is not ideal, but at least they are ticking over.  All the staff have worked very hard, and it hasn't been easy, but I am sure its the same for everyone.  I'd actually say that we are probably very lucky to be able to get all the horses out and exercised.  If the forecasters are correct then we are in this 'big freeze' for another 10 days, so I cant see there being racing on for a good couple of weeks.  We'll take each day as it comes, but fingers crossed we have a good system in place now.

In the meantime, do have a look at our Horses In Training page, as I have recently updated it, and there may be some interesting new horses for people to look at.....!?!

This snow is now proving a little bit frustrating...!  We have managed to get all the horses out each day so far, but with temperatures dropping to -7 again last night, on top of a covering of snow we are starting to struggle.  The last thing we want is an accident to happen to either horse or jockey.  The horse walker is proving invaluable at a time like this.  Its been on since 6am this morning, and will go til 6pm this evening.  Every horse will be on for at least 2 one hour sessions today - which equates to 10 miles of walking a day, as its set at 5mph.  When the sun rises later on, I will see if we can get a few horses out onto the gallop, but at the moment its not looking likely.

On another rather annoying point - Knighton Combe went up a further 2lbs in the handicap on Tuesday for just standing in his box....!  Gentle Ranger, who finished 2nd to us at Newbury, went out to finish 2nd again at Cheltenham on New Years day, which has meant that the handicapper has decided we are better than a figure of 127, and bumped us up again to 129.  I appreciate it is his job to reassess the horses, but I think really the rule should state that he can only reassess them when they next run.  Heyho, lets just hope he proves them right next time he runs, which was going to be the North Yorkshire Grand National on 14th January, but with this snow hindering our progress slightly, we may have to take a rain check on that one.  There is a race at Haydock on 23rd, or I might pop him in a 3m3 Novice Hurdle at Fontwell on the 25th. 

Another wasted journey yesterday - this time we went to Haydock with Horseshoe Reef.  Haydock passed an inspection at 8am, and we set off for the 5 hour trek to the course.  It was only at 12.30 that Haydock decided that they couldn't race, and we turned round and came home - thats a 10 hour drive for nothing...!  Now I know we have had some bad weather, but I have some new owners involved in Horseshoe Reef, and they are left with a sour taste in their mouths after some poor decision making on behalf of these clerks of courses. 

It was a cold morning yesterday - I knew that when we were feeding at 6am, I knew an hour later when we were out on first lot, I knew it was when we were on the way up to Haydock.  Now I'm no genius, but if I knew it was a cold morning, why didn't anyone seem to notice at Haydock, or at Folkestone 4 days earlier....?  The picture in the paper this morning was of two jockeys standing on the last fence at Haydock.  If its frozen at 12 noon, don't tell me it wasn't frozen at 8am!  The owners are left to pick up the costs, and the racecourses just roll over and move on.  If punters get their money back if the race is off, then why don't owners.  Without owners there is no racing, and owners should be looked after.

Knighton Combe (aka Conkers) has done it again - another win on a Grade 1 track.  This time he won at Newbury yesterday over the Henessey course and distance. Again we all had our hearts in our mouths as he won by a neck....!  He is such a star, as he just tries so very hard, and has a tremendous will to win.  Providing the handicapper doesn't have too harsh a look at him, then I am looking towards the North Yorkshire Grand National at the end of January.

Marsh Court ran at Newbury yesterday as well - and she finished 3rd.  She seemed to drop herself out of the race at the start, and didn't jump with much zest (presumably remembering her fall at Ffos Las), and then she ran on and came with a wet sail at the end, and could have gone round again....! 

After yesterday's great day, it was apt that we had our yard Christmas party last night as well.  So we all went up to The Horseshoe Inn, for our turkey supper.  It was a fitting way to end a fun day.

Our luck today had rather run out.  We had Xtravaganza running at Exeter, and after her good 2nd at Towcester last time, we thought she had a good each way chance again.  However, she gurgled turning into the straight, and finished mid div.  We'll get her examined this week by our vet.  Saddlewood ran at Ludlow, and she gurgled as well, so the same applies to her. It was her first run over hurdles and she jumped really nicely, and would prefer better ground as well - so I'm sure we'll see her in better light once the sun comes back out.....!

We've had a couple of new arrivals today at Manor Farm.  Harry Findlay has sent us a 4 year old filly by Montjeu called Mount Lavinia.  She is rated 81 on the flat and has won 3 times over trips ranging from 1m2 to 1m6, so she should be a fun recruit to jumping.  We have also received a 7 year old mare called Briteside who has been placed on 4 of her 6 starts in Point-to-Points and has run in a couple of Novice hurdles.  She has just had a wind op, so fingers crossed we might find a little handicap for her at some stage this season.

We had a weekend without a runner, so we decided to send a couple out hunting as they were meeting in Bowerchalke.  Kate went on a very nice three year old we have called Sultan de Touzaine, and Lucy went on Horseshoe Reef.  They had a fun day with lots of jumping, and it will have done them both a lot of good.  There is still one leg still available to buy of Horseshoe Reef, he is ready to run, so if anyone wants to enter into our pubs little syndicate then let me know.

We run Mista Rossa tomorrow at Fontwell, he only had a school around last week, so hopefully we'll learn a bit more about him tomorrow.  I'll keep you posted.

Quondor Noire ran yesterday at Hereford and finished third. It was over 3 miles 1 which was always going to be a slight question mark.  He ran and jumped well, but just didn't stay.  Daryl gave him a good confidence giving ride, and advised us to drop him back in trip.  There are a couple of options over the next two weeks, so fingers crossed we can get him into the winners enclosure.

We ran Mista Rossa for the first time yesterday as well.  He came to us off the flat where he was rated 70, and had won over 1mile 2 to 1 mile 4.  He has jumped well for us, and I was hoping for a nice run.  However, we were brought to a standstill jumping the second flight, and so Daryl popped him around for the experience.  He'll be a nice horse for us, and I hope we can get him back onto the track in a week or so.