Friday 28 November

Some proper blue bloods on offer in Newmarket this afternoon! Not my usual scene - and as one wag put it -'what are you doing here - not many novice hurdlers here!' to which I replied - 'probably more hurdlers than you think in the end!' A great buzz around the place, although the Frankel foals failed to reach the heights expected late in the day. The photo shows I was there - but the bidding fingers remained untested - they may have been tough to syndicate! I was at Fences Farm this morning, to meet Mark Beesley, of the Northampton Chronicle and Echo. A piece will appear in the paper in the next 2 weeks. All the horses looked in great order, although Benefit Cut is still quiet, and a blood test today confirms he is under the weather. He will be treated, and everyone will be patient and wait for him to came back to himself - that is all that can be done. DC is comfortable, and will be reassessed next week. Carolina Wren was not 100% on a scope and will miss her intended engagements. Cloonacool will be entered in Sandown next Friday, and Huntingdon on Sunday. Hennessey weekend - enjoy - a great race!