Monday 20 January

On Friday I cheekily posted on our Facebook page 'What chances a double'? - Not that serious - but the Fences Farm team so nearly pulled it off!! Saturday morning started off in good style - dry up on top of the hill, and Colebrooke, San Telm and Genny Wren all worked really well (Below). The it was off to Ascot with Benefit Cut. Terence Jenner who co-owns this exciting horse with Howard Cooke, was celebrating his Birthday, and what a way to do it. A runner in Ascot! Sam Twiston Davies took the ride (his first for Fences Farm) and he gave the horse a dream ride. It was always going to be a tough task given BC's run style on chasing debut in very testing ground, but the horse did not let anyone down. He travelled and jumped superbly and but for stumbling on landing 2 out would surely have gone very close! he winged the last and stayed on up the run in to finish second, beaten 1 1/4 lengths! A superb run! It is a big ask for a novice to make the running on chase debut - but he answered all the calls and ran a blinder. ST-D was very impressed with him, and said he just loves being a racehorse - there should be some nice days to come with this one!! Ascot look after their owners so well, and after the run we enjoyed a very nice lunch, with complimentary wine etc - A great shame that Howard couldn't make it - but a fantastic day non-the-less!! BC has come out of his race fine and will be out again in about 3 weeks. After the excitement of Saturday it was on to Towcester yesterday, where Smart Exit was engaged in the 3m handicap chase. SE had bumped into a decent horse at the track last time, and we were confident of a decent run. Most of his owners were there, including Terence and Howard who also have a share in Exit. Josh Moore took the ride and had learnt a lot from the previous run there. The plan was to bounce out, and hopefully kick on 4 out and make it a true test. He carried out the plan to the letter, and despite getting very tired after the last he held on for a very game win! A tough performance to make virtually all under top weight in very testing ground around a very stiff track!! All the owners that were there were delighted, and what a Birthday weekend for Terence!! Terence's other passion is his vintage bus, a 60 yr old model that is maintained by Terence and friends. He had promised that he would donate 25% of his share of any winnings that his horses won this week to the 'Bus Fund', so the bus will be getting a spruce up!! SE seems fine after his win - and will be out again in 3-4 weeks - he was understandably very tired afterwards. All in all a superb weekend - a big well done to everyone at Fences Farm - long may it last!!