Sunday 20 December

The theme this week was all about comebacks! San Seb made his second start after being retired last year! He travelled to Wincanton for a 2m handicap hurdle there. He had started his return in Ascot last month, in a hot heat, but he had very limited options. He was a hurdle winner with just 4 runs, 2 over hurdles under his belt. It meant that he was forced into decent handicap company, and the Ascot race - all be it a hot race, fitted as there are usually only around 10 runners and the field size was very important to him with so little experience. Dropped by the handicapper, in a lower grade race, and Paddy riding for the first time, with his debut under his belt, it was a test to see if he retained the ability he had shown before his injury. San Seb ran a corker to be third, he grabbed at the first, but after that he jumped really well, and when Paddy gave him a squeeze turning in he said he came alive under him, and ran a lovely race to be third. Superb feedback from Fergal and the team on track with photos and videos sent straight away, and a great help to get Paddys feedback by video straight after the run! He felt that he could have finished second, but was really happy with the run, stating that he had rarely ridden a horse that relished the deep ground like San Seb! He came out of his race in great order, and will be out again very soon. Yesterday Queenohearts made her own comeback after 648 days off with a leg injury. As we all know she is a class mare, and her whole career (apart from her last run), had been geared towards a step up in trip, which is why her getting her injury was so frustrating for all connected with her. She had had plenty of time to recover, and the team at Fences Farm have done a great job to get her back. She swerved two entries in Cheltenham last week, as the Haydock race was thought to be ideal, and so it proved. She was a bit rusty in the early stages, but after a mile she warmed to her task, jumping better, and staying on very strongly from turning in to win. It is never pretty with her, but she gets it done! She has come out of the race well, and seems fine. She will hopefully be out again next month. This was a welcome result for Fences Farm, as the horses seem to have been under a cloud for a while now, because of this, they will have flu jabs a bit earlier this season, and have a short easy spell to get over that, which will hopefully help their general wellbeing. So there will be few runners from there for a while. Go Millie Go has been slightly sore after her Exeter run, and was going to miss her Christmas target anyway, so this week she was gastroscoped and found to be suffering with ulcers - she will now be treated, and the fact that she has won her last two starts is nothing short of amazing - she must be very tough. Our Bubba seems to be suffering with a bit of a sore back, and that will be checked out this week. It could well explain why his jumping goes to pieces, and if there is a problem to be fixed it will surely help him no end. Blue Bikini is also on the easy after starting her ulcer treatment. Classic Ben seems fine, but is also likely to get his flu jab, and will be aimed at races in January, before a possible return to Sandown. Although he seems to appreciate marathon trips, he will not be asked to run in those too many times. We are likely to have runners from Ravenswell Farm over the holiday period. Market Rasen winner Volkovka will have entries around the New Year. She has a couple of exciting options - with a mark of 106 it is very (very) tempting to unleash her in a handicap, but we feel she isn't ready for the hurly burly of the handicap arena yet, so we will keep it simple, although we do have a cunning plan!! Yauthym is in fine form - she suffered a minor setback after her seasonal debut, but is right back on song - and we will see if Paddy got it right after her last run! She too will have entries over the Christmas period. Hidden Beauty is really coming along now and Jason Maguire is thrilled with her. He told me yesterday ' I love her', and to be fair the clips that the owners are sent from him every week, really show her progress, and the one that will go out to her owners tomorrow is a fantastic step forward. She is well named - she is a beauty!! Shares continue to sell in Auditoria - she is now in with Olly Murphy, and he likes what he sees. I popped in there on Friday morning, and we discussed options with her. We have a rough plan, and she should be out next month. She has size and scope, she relishes soft ground, loves her jumping and stays very very well. She is tailor made for a hurdling career! Please get in touch if you would like further details - shares are just £25/week all inclusive, with a flexible payment plan for the £600 capital share available too. nickbrownracing@gmail.com 07909 518902