Friday 9 April

Ogee heads off to Aintree today, with a big shout in the Grade 1 Novices Chase. The ground is given as Good, which is nearly perfect fo him, but saying that with a fine day and drying wind forecast, if it were to get a bit quicker that would suit even better!! Jimmy schooled him in the week, and felt, like everyone at home, that he was in grand form. Most of the horses that had hard races at the Cheltenham Festival that ran yesterday were disappointing, and I am sure that they had all been giving the right signs at home - and that would be a worry with Ogee - if it were not for the fact that he is such a professional (lazy bxxxxr) at home, he does not waste an ounce of energy, and has thrived since his trip to Gloucestershire! Good luck to him and all involved! Important Business stepped up the pace yesterday and went well, Mattaking has been held back a week as he had a cough last week, and when scoped earlier this week he was found to have a bit of mucus about him. A course of antibiotics will soon sort this out and they will step up his work next week. Kikos and Jardin De Vienne remain in great form, and still on course for their runs later this month.