Friday 23 October

IB is declared to run at Chepstow tomorrow. He goes in the £23,000 Pertemps Handicap Hurdle, a competitive 12 runner affair, and Tom Siddall rides, as Sam goes to Aintree. On paper it is a tough contest and IB will be competing from 4 lbs out of the handicap, but the figures all match up and we think he will run well, if the step up in trip suits.Unfortunately the gound at Aintree has gone against us, turning Good to Soft with further rain forecast, so we decided on Chepstow, wher it is currently good with a drying day forecast,and with a bit of luck it will be dry up until our racetime tomorrow.Kikos schooled again yesterday after the recent rains and was excellent, and the really good news is that Bobby Gee was back on the gallop yesterday and is in great form - taking a real hold and thoroughly enjoying himself. Rousing Rob has had an injection in the back of a knee, and is on the walker until the middle of next week when we should be able to crack on with him. We are still undecided as to what to do with Matty, he will be schooled over fences today and if that goes well we may keep him in for a bit and try him over fences now - rather than let him down and put added costs on him getting him fit again.