Friday 2nd October - great start to the 'winter' season

The two week September break marks the turning point from summer jumping to the winter game, and I am delighted that our first ‘winter’ runner won at Chepstow on Wednesday. Another winner yesterday at Bangor followed, and the team appear to be in good form. Long may this continue throughout the winter….

We have always liked Fact Of The Matter, and despite being beaten in a couple of bumpers in the spring, he looked a very nice horse on Wednesday. He tanked his way through the race, travelling almost too well.  Having hit the front a mile from home, Sean Bowen sat on him and filled his lungs turning into the straight and had the rest of the field off the bridle.  He needed to be shaken up 2 furlongs from home, but when Sean gave him a kick he went on again and he could hardly pull him up.  Sean reported that he felt he was a serious horse and there would be lots of improvement to come once he settled better and filled his frame. He’ll go hurdling now, and having schooled so well already, he is an exciting horse.

Fact of the Matter hoses up in the bumper at Chepstow

Miss Tiger Lily followed up yesterday at Bangor in great style. She had won three times on the flat for Harry Dunlop, but then sustained a tendon injury which kept her off the track for over a year. However, Dawn Hearson never lost faith in her and having run well when 3^rd on her hurdling debut for us at Worcester over an inadequate trip, she stepped up on that and won in the style of a progressive mare. There should be more to come from her in the coming months too.

Miss Tiger Lily jumps the last at Worcester

I was chuffed to bits that Breaking Bits ran so well to be 3^rd at Uttoxeter last weekend after a year off the track. He travelled and jumped well and looked to hold every chance until a mistake at the 2^nd last cost him momentum, and then he just took a blow and will certainly strip fitter for the run.

All of these runners have been a welcome tonic to us, having sustained the disappointing news that Val De Law will be out of action for the season. On looking round at evening stables last Tuesday (work day) we found a bit of heat in his tendon and the following scan revealed that our worst fears were correct, and he’s off games. He had shown last season that he was a Graded performer, and all of the top end 2m Novice Chases were going to be on his agenda this season…so it is a bitter blow for a small yard. However, we have to be philosophical about it, and he will be back next season and he is still only 6 years old, so he has time on his side.

Luke Harvey from At The Races came down last week to make a short clip of our string for the coming season, and for those of you that have not seen it yet, please do click on the clink below:

http://rhaenys.simplestream.com/10/catchuptv/30/766356_2.mp4