Monday 27 January

San Telm returned to the hurdling arena on Friday in Huntingdon. A winner over fences, he had never looked a natural, and we did not want to sour him in that sphere. He was declared in a warm looking Pertemps qualifier over nearly half a mile further than he has ever tried before. He ran a corker - travelling and jumping beautifully, he looked like winning turning in, only to be run out of it after the last to finish a super third. Everyone was delighted with him, and he will be winning again before too long. He has come out of the race OK, although a niggling little cut where someone has stood on him has required some treatment. Hopefully he will return to Haydock in the middle of next month. Saturday morning was a little foggy first thing so no pics/footage, although everything went nicely. Second lot, John, John and Tracy were in to see Dawn Commander, who worked very nicely under Stuart. He can be seen below working alongside Mr Maynard, in behind Silver Wren and Genny Wren. DC will have entries in about a fortnight onwards.Colebrooke will work with DC tomorrow, and as he didn't do too much in Fakenham last week, he has 2 entries on Saturday. I was tracking the numbers mid morning and noticed there were very few in the Grade 3 handicap in Sandown on Saturday, so we took a punt and put him in. A mark of 122/123 usually sneaks in the bottom of the weights, so with a bit of luck we my get to run off a low weight in a decent race for once! He was also dobbed in a race in Wetherby for good measure, just in case he is very much out of the weights in Sandown. Smart Exit is in fantastic form with himself - I think he thinks he has won the Gold Cup!! he will be aimed at a chase in Uttoxeter on Feb 8th (sorry to those to whom I said Chepstow - it's the oldtimers)!!