Thursday 3rd December 2020 - a winner to start the month, Grade 1's and Cheltenham's cross country race.....

It was great to start the month with a lovely winner as our dual bumper winner, Anythingforlove won on her 2^nd start over hurdles.  She had a bit of a ‘loose school’ around Uttoxeter on her hurdling debut as Gavin lost his stirrup and she still finished 4^th, so it was lovely to see all that behind her as she sauntered to an effortless victory at Lingfield on Tuesday.  She is a smart mare, and should be able to defy a penalty before moving up in class.  Having had seven 2nds in the last two weeks, it was great to get another winner in the bag.

We’ve introduced a few newcomers to the track lately, and they’ve all shown real promise, and the latest two this week look nice prospects too.  Rose O’Hara was 4^th on debut at Ludlow yesterday, and her effort was even more meritorious as she was caught very wide around the sharp track, and was only beaten 4 lengths, and she was staying on well inside the final furlong - she looks a really smart prospect.  Representing Bob was only beaten 6 lengths on his debut at Southwell this week, and he should develop into a future staying chaser.

The disappointment of the week so far was that poor Stoney Mountain sustained a nasty cut yesterday on his debut for us, but I am pleased to report that after an operation this morning, he is on the mend, and should be back out on the track later on this spring. 

Some exciting news from this morning, is that Hogan’s Height had a wonderful spin around Cheltenham’s cross country track.  He won the Grand Sefton last season, and was set to be our first runner in the Grand National but that obviously never materialised due to the Covid pandemic.  He’s set to reappear this season next Friday in the Glenfarclas Cross Country at Cheltenham, and then we’ll plot a path through to the Grand National in the spring.  Below is a cracking video of him flying around Cheltenham this morning:

Meanwhile, we very much look forward to seeing Ga Law out in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novice Chase at Sandown on Saturday.  He hasn’t missed a beat at home since he won the Grade 2 Rising Stars at Wincanton, and this has been the plan all along.  He is unbeaten over fences and lets hope that can continue on Saturday!