Thursday 29 December

I hope you all had a good Christmas. It has been a busy few days since the 'big day', which kicked off with a long, and ultimately wasted trip to Fontwell Park with Honeycreeper on Boxing Day. I managed to swerve this one, and as it turned out it was a good move - Honeycreeper under Richie Killoran, was never at the races and was pulled up with a circuit to go. We are all still scratching our heads about that one as she is bouncing and seems fine - possibly just a bad day. The 27th saw us at Kempton with our new boy Montegonian making his hurdling debut. Montey was entered at Wetherby as well, which was an easier heat, but we felt that the ground at Kempton and the pace of the race would suit him better so we plumped for the Sunbury track. Mark Bradburne took the ride, and despite breaking a stirrup leather going to post Montey behaved very well. We thought he would be quite keen in the race as he shows plenty of pace at home, so Marks instructions were to bury him at the rear and teach him how to race over hurdles. Mark gave him a great ride - they jumped the first well, despite being a bit lit up as predicted, but the second was not so hot - a trend that continued through the race. His jumping was pretty iffy, despite him being electric at home, but turning in he moved up on the outside and we started to get a bit excited! He jumped the second last well, and was in a good battle for third when he made a hash of the last - ultimately missing out on the third spot by 3 lengths. Mark was very happy with him and says we will have a great deal of fun with him with lots of wins so we were all very happy. Yesterday we learnt that it was Marks last ride before retiring, and we were very proud to have given him a nice one to finish on. He assured me yesterday that it was not Monteys erratic jumping that scared him off, and said 'it was a nice one to go out on' We wish him all the best for the future. Montey came home, ate up and trotted up sound yesterday - so the dream begins with him. His new owners enjoyed a great day out on Tuesday, and we still have shares for sale if you would like to join them - 07909 518902. Yesterday we took Smart Exit to Leicester. He has been disappointing in his first two runs, but we were convinced that there was a key to him and Tom O'Briens instructions were to ride him to finish and try and unlock him. Tom did a great job - he settles SE at the rear and got him travelling and jumping well, they were still right out the back turning in but then - finally - the penny started to drop and SE stayed on really well up the home straight passing 8 or 9 horses to finish fourth. Tom was thrilled with him and said there was loads more to come - he really liked the horse and said that he had a nice future. SE is fine this morning and will be out again in January - possibly back at Leicester. Brett The Vet was in this morning and scoped San Telm before his intended run on Sunday. He was clear and as long as the blood tests are good he is likely to go to Fakenham on Sunday. Don't forget - get in touch if you would like a share in Montegonian - I moved another on yesterday so don't delay - give me a call 07909 518902!