Monday 1 December

With Carolina Wren scoping only 95% of Friday - this week is a bit short of Racecourse action for the first few days. Cloonacool is entered in Sandown on Friday, and will have an entry in Huntingdon on Sunday, but if either (or both) look particularly competitive we will hold on to him for a bit. Saturday we had John and Sue Spiller in to see their filly Native Princess. They brought along a friend of theirs, Rose Rodgers for the morning. Rose is a professional photographer, who does a great deal of work in the hunting field, and she couldn't resist snapping away around the yard. She has taken some wonderful shots that can be seen at http://www.photoboxgallery.com/roserodgersphotography/photo?photo_id=8418730920 Please feel free to contact Rose of you would like to order any of the images she has taken. John and Sue were delighted with Native Princess, who is in great form, and although only on light duties, they did get to see her canter past once. Native Princess is still developing, and will be given all the time she needs to strengthen so that she can show her full potential. Now that she has shown that she is a racehorse, with her gutsy (and unlucky) third in a Lingfield bumper, she will be aimed at a similar race before embarking on a hurdling career. She has schooled over hurdles since her run in Lingfield and is an absolute natural, so there are no worries on that front. I still retain a few shares in this very promising filly, and have decided to make these available to lease for the remainder of her racing career. She has such a fantastic pedigree, being the half sister to 6 winners, 2 of which were black type performers, she is a very exciting broodmare prospect, and we will enjoy breeding from her in the future. This lease arrangement will give someone the chance to enjoy racing a very exciting mare, with no capital outlay, and without the tie of owning a broodmare in the future. The monthly costs are set at £200, so give me a call on 07909 518902 if you are interested in leasing a share in her. Cloonacool worked really well with Maypole Lass, and seems in great heart with himself. Smart Exit is on light duties as well, as he was very tired after his gutsy run in Huntingdon. Benefit Cut, as reported last week was flat - a blood test has confirmed that he has an infection, thankfully not a virus, and he will be treated accordingly. He will have specific medication, and then it is just a case of waiting for him to come back to form. There were signs of an improvement at the latter end of last week, and Stuart reports him to be much more like himself this morning. San Telm has had a week off work, as he was still suffering with some slight joint pain, but he was trotted up at the end of last week, and seemed back to normal, so has been on the walker for the past few days, and will continue in walk exercise until Wednesday or Thursday this week, after which his work will step up again. Back to the sales for me this week - there will be some big figures banded around and it will be an exciting week.