17th January 2014

After a quiet week following their EHV vaccinations we've had 4 runners this week - and 3 of them have hit the frame.  Joanne One was unlucky not to continue her winning sequence when narrowly denied at Market Rasen yesterday.  AP was deputising as Brendan was at Wincanton, and he reported that he probably hit the front too soon, and she tied up a bit under him.  I can't help feeling that Brendan could well have made the difference there as he knows her so well, but that's the way the cookie crumbles sometimes, and although its frustrating, she'll certainly have another day..... 

 Major Milborne ran another good race to be 3rd in a novice hurdle at Exeter on Tuesday, only beaten 3 lengths.  I'd say it was an improved performance by him, and the winner could be quite smart - and interestingly enough Monbeg Theatre beat the winner in an Irish point last year, and Monbeg is the Major's galloping companion....!  It was great to get Miss Milborne back on Wednesday at Newbury as she's had a few little niggles this season.  However, despite finishing 3rd, she showed she was a bit race rusty, and will certainly come on for the chasing experience.  Lemons Ground was 5th yesterday in a novice hurdle at Wincanton - he was out paced over 2 miles, and will improve when we send him handicapping, and stepped up in trip.