Monday 28 September

Saturday finally arrived - Plan B was put into action. Cloonacool contested the Listed Prelude Handicap Hurdle in Market Rasen. Plan A was the Imperial Cup in March, but a nasty injury and an operation in February put pay to that idea. When we realised that was not an option - Saturdays race became the target. It has been a long wait, but everything has gone to plan, and a big turnout of his owners were there to see him. Although all of his winning had been done on soft ground, I purchased him with the view that he would be better on a sound surface, so Saturdays good ground held no terrors. Paddy was confident that he was on the best horse in the race at the weights, and rode George with a huge amount of confidence, hugging the rail all the way round, continually taking a pull out of the horse and filling him with confidence. He even took a pull turning into the home straight, and when a small gap appeared he was quick to get through it. They pinged the last and Cloonacool quickly did what Cloonacool does when he hits the front - pulled himself up! He didn't do a tap in front, but Paddy kept him up to his work, and he won by a pretty snug 2 lengths. He returned to a super reception in the winners enclosure, from his large band of owners, and assembled public. We were presented with the prizes by Rich Ricci who was very interested in the horse and his owners. He was a charming man, and wasn't put off his stride when Stuart asked him if he would send him a horse!! A great win for Stuart and his team. 5 winners already this season, and a big pot in the bag already! There are plenty of nice horses in the yard this year, and the future looks bright for the small, friendly, professional yard that have looked after our horses since we started back in 1999!! We can't thank them enough! Cloonacool had a slight cut to his near hind joint, but the vet was out to him yesterday morning, and was happy with it - there should be no problems. He ate up, and seems to have come out of the race in good order. He will have a few days off before resuming his training. In the meantime, Stuart and I will have a sit down and discuss his next race. Paddy says he will win again over hurdles, but to swerve big fields, so that is the probable route we will look at first, with a chasing career commencing later in the season. Cloonacool is a joy of a horse to own, and he will give his owners a great deal of fun through the winter. Photos of the afternoon can be found at www.mickatkins.com - where images can also be ordered. Nothing like a win on National TV to get your name in lights, and the phone has been busy, with shares reserved in a couple of our horses in which shares are available. To join in the fun and share the success, have a look at the share options on our For Sale Page, and give me a call on 07909 518902 or email info@nickbrownracing.co.uk for further details. We do have shares in a couple that are not yet on the page so get in touch if you would like details of these.