Friday 22 August

A few days away from the blog - sorry. Pleased to report that I have been keeping up with things during my absence from here, and delighted to see Cloonacools form get franked again. Hash Brown has been putting a nice strong feel into his form, as I have pointed out on these pages, so it was nice to see the Gigginstown House Stud owned Behemoth winning a chase last week. Behemoth had finished behind Cloonacool in a Punchestown hurdle in February!! Everything remains in good order. The most forward bunch, including Benefit Cut, San Telm, Dawn Commander and Cloonacool are all cantering away and going nicely. It was good to see three generations of the Newland Family on the gallops last Saturday. Steve, who has purchased a quarter share in San Telm, was in to see his horse with his son Jack, and Father John. ST had a canter past them. Also in were John Bird, armed with carrots as usual, and Kevin and Jo Hornby - they got to see their horse Dawn Commander lead second lot in a gentle canter. DC is in fabulous form with himself! Stuart spoilt himself mid week, and gave himself a spin on Benefit Cut, 'very nice' were his words! There is a new face over a stable door this week. Mairise, a 3 yr old half brother to Ben Turners Maypole Lass, by Derby winner Authorized, has arrived off of the flat for Sir Michael Stoute. He is a fine, big good looking, scopey horse, who will now try his hand at juvenile hurdling, something that Sir Michael thinks he will be perfectly suited to. Despite never getting his head in front on the flat he is rated 70+ and should be well up to winning a juvenile hurdle or two. He also has the size and scope to go on and have a future over timber and eventually chase fences! More information about his ownership next week.