Tuesday 12 May

Good news and bad news on the handicapping front this morning!! The good news first - The handicapper has been kind, and as requested by Stuart yesterday, dropped Dawn Commander back down to 140, which brings Warwick, Stratford and Southwell races into play over the course of the next 4 weeks!! The bad news, is that Phil Smith, the Senior Handicapper has felt it fit to give Bold Conquest a chase mark of 122 - which is 6lbs above his hurdles mark, and makes him illegible for the 2 chases he is entered in at Market Rasen on Sunday, as they both have a ceiling of 120. We always thought that he would be better over fences, and unfortunately the handicapper seems to agree - but without us proving it!! As he is effectively 6lbs better off over hurdles he will now go to Stratford on Sunday instead, where he has an entry in the 3m 3f handicap hurdle. It will be a more competitive affair, and the track isn't ideal, but there are few options for him going forward, and the marathon trip should mitigate it somewhat - he is in rude health. We would also like to get a run into him while we can use Brendan, as he has a few days off due to a ban shortly. Native Princess is another who is in rude health, and has been working well - she has made a swift comeback from injury, mainly due to the fact that she really kept her condition well whilst on box rest. She will work tomorrow in front of her co owners John and Sue Spiller, and will have an entry in a mares bumper in Worcester on May 22.