Monday 27 October

We suffered the ups and downs of racing yesterday in Aintree. Fantastic to be going there with two horses at the top or very near the top of two decent handicaps at one of the country's leading National Hunt tracks, it just shows that the quality of horses is getting better a Fences Farm, and with some orders for new horses in the pipeline, these are exciting times! Unfortunately, the two yesterday suffered vastly differing fortunes. dawn Commander, who was in his toughest race since joining the squad couldn't quite add to last seasons winning run. It had not been plain sailing with him up to the race, but he ran an absolute cracker to be a close third. A faster run race would have suited a lot more, and he will come on for the run. He looks as though he is good for his lofty 142 mark, and should be out again in about a month. Benefit Cut ran a really pleasing seasonal bow until he took a tired fall at the last when looking booked for a very creditable second. Both horse and jockey were fine after the spill, and after a couple of days off BC will have a little pop to get his confidence back. He will be out again in about a month as well, and will have benefitted from the run (if not the fall).Both horses seem fine this morning, and are enjoying a day off with a few hours in the gorgeous autumnal sunshine. Great to see so many Club members there yesterday, Aintree really look after their owners, and I am sure everyone enjoyed the afternoon - shame about the traffic on the way home!! Cloonacool has an entry in a Huntingdon Novice on Sunday. He does not have a handicap mark, despite having run in three hurdles and winning on his British debut, but he is probably not ready for the hurly burly of a handicap at this stage, so he will take his chance with a penalty. At least with a 1 beside his name he is guaranteed a run, but the penalty will make it tough. Smart Exit, who looked in great form on Saturday has an entry in Wetherby on Friday, but is very unlikely to run as their ground looks like being on the quick side. He is more likely to go to Chepstow on Nov 5th (hopefully he can produce some fireworks)!!