Thursday 31 January

Today we were to declare San Telm for the Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle in Sandown on Saturday, but unfortunately after a routine scope this morning he was found to be slightly 'dirty' - and will now not be declared. Saturdays race would have been his stiffest task to date - 'his Gold up' if you like, and he would need to be at his very best. It was a marginal, but the correct decision has been made. He will have a week on the easy - get well - and return in the middle of February. Better news concerns Smart Exit who worked well yesterday and has scoped clean this morning, so he will be aimed at Huntingdon next week. While they were at it they had a look at Benefit Cut as well, and it was pleasing to see that he was 100%, as he had suffered with a number of low level infections earlier in the season but looks to to right back on song now! Tannerman was entered in Southwell on Monday, but he was no sooner put in, than it was called off. they have scheduled a meeting in Doncaster instead and there is a hurlde race over 2m 3 1/2f there in which he will have an entry. If that looks unsuitable he will have an entry at the same venue in their Thursday fixture over 2 miles. With a bit of luck we should get to see him out next week as Donny always provides better ground than 95% of the other courses in the country!!