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.