16th October 2011

Wow - what a day yesterday was as we had our first winner at Cheltenham.  Tom O'Brien rode Ixora to the letter of our plan, and she ran out a ready winner of the 2m5 handicap hurdle.  To have a runner at Cheltenham on the first Saturday of the season was excellent, to have a winner was what everyone dreams of.  The handicapper has had his say since her last win at Ffos Las in June, but by stepping her up in trip we have found a bit extra, and the famous Cheltenham hill played into our strengths.  She deserves a break now through the Winter, and then we'll look to Cheltenham in March providing the ground is good or better.

It was this time last year that I was setting up a syndicate for Ixora, and now we are doing the same with Ballyboker Boy.  Having won 2 Irish Points from 2 starts (receiving a higher rating than Denman did when he was pointing), he is a smashing horse and I think we should have an awful lot of fun with him over the winter months.  There are only 2 shares left at 12.5% each - so do give me a call to take the last shares.

Having virtually set up the Ballyboker Boy syndicate, I have now invested in another smart type called Jamesson, who is for sale.  He has run in 3 bumpers, and has been placed 3rd, 2nd, and 3rd, gaining an RPR of 104, 99, and 109 respectively.  He looks sure to be a major player when stepped up in trip over an obstacle.  He looks another exciting newcomer to our yard.  I'll endeavor to put his photo up on the 'Horses for Sale' page within the week.