Monday 8 October

A bit to catch up on since the last news bulletin from Fences Farm. Thursday, Kikos and Justazippy went to Bangor. Kikos ran his usual race and finished fourth, he has returned in good order and will now be aimed at a 2m chase in Kempton on Sunday 21st October. This will be his swansong, and he will be retired afterwards. I hope to be able to arrange a hospitality suite for the afternoon, and hope that as many of his owners as possible are able to get to the meeting to see him off in style. Justazippy got a bad bump turning for home, but for which she would have been a very good second to an impressive winner. She returned slightly sore, but there looks to be no lasting damage and she will be back very soon. On Friday San Telm went to Fontwell in a good quality handicap hurdle. He travelled fine and jumped adequately until nearly being brought down 3 out when a horse fell right in front of him. Sam said it cost him 4-5 lengths right at the point when the race started in earnest, so it was very costly, but we were delighted to see the way he stayed on up the Fontwell hill to land 3rd spot.He would certainly have been second but for the carnage 3 out. He has come out of his race bouncing and will go again before the end of the month. On Saturday morning I watched 3 very pleasing lots work. Benefit Cut was up first lot and worked very well with The Fonz. BC will be aimed at a 2m Novice Hurdle in Uttoxeter on 18th. The trip may be a touch on the short side for him, but he will run well based on what I saw at the weekend - he is a lot to look forward to!TF and Ogee will hopefully both make it to the Cheltenham October meeting at the end of next week. Second lot Tannerman was up with Smart Exit. Both these boys had breathing ops in the summer, and it was good to ask them some serious questions and not hear a noise. It looks like both ops have been a success, and we can now crack on with them. Tannerman may be ready to run in Huntingdon on the 16th, but it is not certain and we may have to wait a few days longer to see him make his debut for us. SE will be ready around the end of the month, and is certainly bigger and stronger than last year! Third lot Colebrooke worked with Ogee. Og has been in great form recently, so it was always going to be a tough task for Colebrooke, but I am pleased to say that he worked very very well, and has an entry in Chepstow on Saturday when both his owners Ben and Jay will be able to get to see him run due to the international break. He is in a handicap hurdle over 2m 4f, which will be much more suitable than the 2 miles he was running over last season! He should be able to make his mark as a handicap hurdler this season! Grassfinch went to Uttoxeter yesterday and ran her usual game race to finish fifth. She is only tiny, but has the heart of a lion, and despite being the first off the bridle she tried and tried until the lack of a recent run caught her out between the last 2 flights. She should be winning races against her own sex in the coming weeks. It is nice to get back in the swing of things - and the yard certainly have the horses fit and well!