Thursday 12 March

Today was due to be DC Day - Dawn Commander had todays Pertemps Hurdle final at the Cheltenham Festival as his season target, but having suffered an accident at the Open Meeting in Cheltenham he was ruled out if making his comeback at The Festival, rather opting to go to Aintree instead. That plan was in doubt a couple of weeks ago when he suffered cuts and bruises in another incident of self harming! I am pleased to say that he is progressing well, and although the wound is not the prettiest, he is cantering away without any adverse effects, and remains on course for Aintree. Benefit Cut seems in good heart, and has earned himself an entry in what looks like a strong heat in Haydock next week. He will be scoped and blood tested tomorrow to confirm his well being. A mixed day at the Festival yesterday, but delighted to see Bouvreuil finish second in the Fred Winter - Cloonacool was givin this horse 10lbs when 3/4 of a length behind him in Newbury - so the form is franked again. Cloonacools RPR has risen 5lbs during the first 2 days of the Festival, and he is a lot to look forward to for next season. Although he has made a full recovery, he will not run again this season, and has a listed Handicap Hurdle in Market Rasen in late September as his early season target after a summer break. Lovely shots of Ben and Jay picking up their trophy after the success of Mister Miyagi in Stratford on Monday. They have been good supporters of Nick Brown Racing and Olney Bloodstock, and it looks very much like they have a nice horse on their hands with this son of Zagreb! I was a bit poor on the tipping front yesterday - so today we go with quality rather than quantity - Cole Harden in the World Hurdle (Each Way). I was talking to his trainer Warren Greatrex on Monday and he said he couldn't put me off of him - has has had his wind done, and is in fine fettle - we will go with him!