Sunday 30 October

It's been a few days since I had the chance to update this page and just a fair old lot has happened since I did! Smart Exit came out of his debut run in good order, and will now continue his schoolng and his next run will be over hurdles. On Thursday we set of south to Fontwell Park with Colebrooke for TMT Grand. Our last visit to the Sussex track had resulted in a surprise victory for E Major so it is a venue we like to attend despite the traffic around the M25. Colebrooke had been running very well, despite not getting his head in front, but we thought that the extra 2 1/2 furlongs would play to his strengths as we all felt that satmina was his strong point. The rain that fell and turned the ground soft added to that test so we thought that if he went in the ground he would go well - we didn't expect what happened. Jamie Moore jumped off in front rank and travelling wide down the back straight on the better ground he popped round in good style. Entering the straight for the final time he had everything in behind in trouble and it was all over jumping two out. Going to the last he was over 20 lengths in front and after negotiating that he pulled away for a heavily eased 41 length victory!! The conditions have certainly seen him at his best and he will be a lot of fun over the winter months! Unfortunately none of his enthusiastic owners (Jay Tabb, James McPake, Ben Turner) could make it, but they were all thrilled with the performance. It will be very intersting to see what the handicapper thinks, but in any event he will stick to Novice company and run with a penalty next - probably at Sandown in early December. If we are lucky enough to win there he will have to up in grade which will mean a trip to Chepstow later that month for the Grade 1 Finale Hurdle on Welsh Grand National day. Given his conditions he looks very exciting, and although it is early in the season, and we have definitely not seen the best juveniles out this year yet it is quite good fun having the second best juvenile of the season so far (according to Racing Post Ratings). The trip back from Fontwell was horrendous but we still made it up to the pub for a few celebratory drinks, and then it was off to Uttoxeter on Friday. We took The Fonz, Justazippy and Kikos to the games and all went really well. The Fonz ran a very good race to be third behind 2 smart prospects in the opening Novice event. It was significant improvement on his hurdling debut and he will win plenty of nice races.Justazippy was next up for local owner Michael Lawrence, and she kept up the recent golden spell with a fine win. She did just about everything wrong but still managed to win so the future looks bright. Sam took the ride and they received a bash up the bum as the tapes went up which lit her up and she ran away with him for a mile. Turning in she took it up, but ran very green in front which led to her missing the last giving her opponents a chance. They got close but could not get past as she toughed it out for a brave win. She is home bred by Michael, and it was a special day for him and his wife Susan. Well done!! Kikos ran in the penultimate race - a chase and did exactly what we wanted - running a fine race to finish fourth - he should be dropped back into his grade now, and will head off for his winter holidays at Michael and Fionas next week. I hope to be buying a new horse at the sales tomorrow, which will be run as a club, so if you fancy joining the winning team, in great from - then give me a call on 07909 518902, or email info@nickbrownracing.co.uk. Shares will be around £500 plus £20/week all inclusive training fees. Go on - makes a lovely Christmas present!!