Thursday 5 September

It is that exciting time of year when we are able to start looking at some early season targets for the winter horses. Some of the string have just started to quicken up last week, and some will start to get the pedal down next week. The latter group will include Guest Of Honour, Colebrooke, San Telm, Smart Exit and Omaruru. This will mean that most of their seasonal debuts are now only a month away, although Omar may be a couple of weeks longer. This gives me the chance to have a look at the programme book and see where we may start off with each of them. GOH's first opportunity looks like being in Fontwell on October 4th, with Worcester on the 10th or Chepstow on the 12th as possible alternatives. San Telm has been aimed at Chepstow on the 12th. Smart Exit will only run on ground with plenty of give - so we can't really make plans for him - although he will go straight into handicap company over fences. We are playing a 'suck it and see' game with Colebrooke. He may yet go chasing, but we will delay that decision for a couple of weeks to see how he gets on at home. Omaruru, when ready will also go chasing this season. Work continues on the gallops, with the new surface arriving today - I look forward to seeing the first stage on Saturday!!