Monday 9 March

That's how it feels today!! We have done a fair few miles in the last couple of days, with ultimately little reward. Saturday I was at Fences Farm to watch work, and the three lots that I saw all went well. Kikos went very well and will be entered for Uttoxeter next weekend, along with Icterus who seemed to work very well in behind, and Ogee who was his usual self! After third lot we headed down to Didmarton to see Noble Rebellion make his debut. Tom Ellis who trains him also rode him - and it was good to catch up with his breeder Ed Bevan who was there to watch. Tom gave him a lovely introduction, settled him at the back and got him jumping, and in the end pulling him up 3 out. The horse seemed to enjoy things and will strip fitter for his next run in a couple of weeks. On Sunday it was off to Market Rasen with Bobby Gee. Rasen has never been the luckiest course for us - Olney Lad was a shoo in, and the heavens opened as they jumped off, and the sun came out as he crossed the line , finishing fourth and never going a yard in the rain (he never came out of a canter). And of course Kikos fell 3 out when looking like an easy winner earlier this season, and yesterday just continued the trend. Bobby was fancied and well backed, but unfortunately he had decided to 'not try very hard' and finished 6th. He was never travelling with any fluency, and was on and off the bridle - he will be fitted with headgear, and dropped back in trip for his next run to sharpen his mind - I think you will see a different horse. A long trip home, and I did sleep very well last night!!