Monday 3 December

Time to catch up on recent events. To start, we have to go back to last Thursday, when Smart Exit made the long trip to Taunton. The ground down there was pretty testing, but that is what he wants, so it was a real disappointment to see Tom have to pull him up! This was certainly not his running, and we were certain that something was amiss. SE had been scoped the day before he ran, and he scoped clean, and nothing seemed wrong after the race, but I am pleased to report that the explanation for the poor run has come to light this morning - as he has had his first day of exercise since Thursday and has had 3 coughs. This, in a way, is good news, as it explains the poor run, and he will now be cleaned up with some antibiotics and will hopefully be out again around Christmas. Friday we went to Doncaster with Tannerman and Reyno. T was expected to run a massive race, and Reyno was a fact finding mission. T was very disappointing - travelling beautifully, and showing the benefit of some intensive schooling by jumping really well, he folded as they turned for home and Sam reported that he had a breathing problem. T came with this, and he had a wind op in the summer, but unfortunately it looks like his is one of the very rare failures! we know what the problem is, and he will run again over Christmas with a tongue tie applied to see if this can help him as he is seriously well handicapped if he can get his breath! Reyno perked us up a bit! Running very well to finish 3rd in the bumper. The winner is a very decent horse, and the 2nd is a lovely prospect as well, so it was a good run. He will be winning races in his grade. After another horror trip home on Friday night it was nice to make the short hop to Towcester on Saturday where Mrs Robeson ran Genny Wren and Norse Wren. Genny was first up and was slightly disappointing. She travelled OK but weakend at the bottom of the hill and failed to pick up as they turned for home. Like Smart Exit she had been blood tested and scoped last Wednesday, but this was not her run, and like SE she has been subsequently found to be under the weather. She will be cleaned up and return in a few weeks. Norse Wren ran a very nice race to finish fifth in a decent novice. He was very green, and when he puts it all together he will be winning races in his grade. Congratulations to Sam who picked up a spare in the concluding bumper and booted home a winner!! Yesterday we took Colebrooke to Leicester only to bring him home again as there was frost in the ground. The going was officially Soft (Heavy in places) but the jockeys were reporting that it was riding like good ground (which is how it felt when we walked it), and that the only reason it was like that was because there was frost still in it! So home we came! C will have entries in a couple of weeks. Back at home and on Saturday Benefit Cut and San Telm went a bit quicker for the first time since their runs, and both were very good. We will still look at the race at Lingfield on Dec 15th, but is far more likely to go to Haydock on Dec 22, or Kempton Park on Boxing Day. BC will be aimed at 3 races around the 13th 14th and 15th of this month. Only 1 entry this week - Justazippy will be in at sandown on Saturday.