Wednesday 9 September

A quiet spell on the blog - despite my best efforts! A few days away in a cottage with no Wi-Fi, and almost no phone signal, has meant an enforced absence I'm afraid!! A wasted trip for the lap top!! We start this update with a look back at last week. Christmas Twenty made his debut for The Chicheley Partnership in a bumper in Southwell. This was his first trip away from Fences Farm, and he somewhat spoilt his chances by getting himself in a bit of a state on the lorry on the trip up to Nottinghamshire. Steph had to spend most of the journey in the back with him trying to calm him down, but despite her best efforts he still came off the lorry bathed in sweat, and pretty revved up. He was sent to post early to try and keep him quiet, but this ultimately had the reverse effect, and he became m0re wound up when he got down there. He travelled well through the race, but in the end his previous exertions took their toll and he weakened to finish sixth. Nick Scholfield was adamant that the owners should not be too down hearted as he had given him a super feel through the race, and confirmed what we think - that he is a nice horse. CT has returned fine, despite a repeat performance on the way home, and will now have plenty of short trips in the lorry to get him used to travelling. Stuart will go to work on him, and when he is happy that he is ready - we will look for another race for him. He has had a pop over some hurdles this week, and will probably make his hurdling debut next time up. All the horses worked well on Saturday, and yesterday a few of the later batch got to stride on for the first time this season. These included San Telm, and Smart Exit. ST is in fantastic form, and strode on well, and so is SE, who also enjoyed his first time 'up a gear'. Both of these will be ready to go in about a month. The recent run of good form for the yard continued yesterday, when Kayla ran a fine race on her hurdling debut, to be second in Worcester. She jumped and travelled well, just getting outpaced after the last. She is well up to winning a mares race over slightly further. The winner of yesterdays heat was the second to frank the form of The Oakley Partnerships, Native Princess, who had beaten her on her last run in Fontwell. NP also had her form franked over the weekend, when a mare that was fourth behind her when she won her bumper, came out an won a similar affair. NP is also in great form, and a decision will be made later this week about a possible outing in Newton Abbot next week. This morning Stuart took a couple down to Lambourn to give them and away day and a piece of work. I jumped in the lorry too, and was glad I did. Both Bold Conquest (Brendan Powell Jnr) and Cloonacool (Paddy Brennan) did super pieces of work up the 'Back Of The Hill Gallop' (pictured right - BC far side, Cloonacool nearest camera). Thanks to Brendan Powell Snr, who Stuart and I hijacked to take us up to the top of the hill. Paddy, and Brendan Jnr were delighted with how the horses worked - Cloonacool is still very much on course for Market Rasen on the 26th, and BC will have entries from September 22 - probably over hurdles for his next run.