Wednesday 21 April

Jardin De Vienne took a heavy fall yesterday when challenging for the lead 2 out in the Novices Handicap Chase. Running a little in snatches, Sam was trying to find as much trouble as he could, running up the back of horses and switching him several times during the race as this seems to get him to pick up the bridle again. Turning for home he was travelling the best, and was in a close second when he just clipped the top of 2 out and came down, bringing another horse down on top of him. Both JDV and Sam seemed fine after the race, but JDV was pretty stiff and sore when he go home last night, and I would not be too surprised if Sam wasn't the same. Kikos tonight in a 5 runner field, plenty of pace on, and different tactics may be needed, decisions to be made later. He is fit enough for tonight, though we think that whatever he does tonight he will improve on for the run.