Thursday 5 November
Just back from the Doncaster Sales - so apologies for the late news post today! Yesterday we headed to Chepstow with three. Our boy Bold Conquest in the staying handicap hurdle. BC's last run was over fences in Worcester, where the track and the ground (over fences) caught him out. Yesterday the track was far more likely to suit, and soft ground was not too much of a worry back over hurdles. BC jumped really well, and was just travelling well into the race when he made a slight mistake 3 out. Not too serious in terms of him falling, but enough to stop him momentarily, and break his rhythm. He did his best after that, but could not quite get back fully into contention. In the long run, he has run a really good race to be beaten just 8 lengths in a very competitive heat for the grade. Brendan was delighted with him, and the good news was that he felt that soft ground was not a problem over the smaller obstacles. BC is now qualified for the series final in Haydock on Easter Saturday, and we will consider this later in the season, although the track is unlikely to suit. Bold Conquest two travelling companions both ran super races - their connections will have plenty of fun with them, and the runs of all three still point to the well being of the yard at the moment! All three seem to have come out of their races well. BC will be out again in about a month. At home - Savingforvegas and Focusing will head to Towcester tomorrow morning for a racecourse gallop. Both will be running this month, and this will really help in their prep. SFV's form has been franked with the mare that she beat 20 lengths in a spring point, has gone on to win in the point to point field on her next start this autumn. SFV is a nice mare. Christmas Twenty seems fine after his run, and he is settled at home. He appears to be growing up - but we will only whisper this at this stage - he will be aimed at a Leicester novice hurdle in early December. Smart Exit is in great order, and is on course for Chepstow on November 18th. San Telm is back in full work after a minor set back last week, and has races at Haydock and Uttoxeter later this month pencilled in. Stuart continues to be impressed with new arrival Sneaking Budge, and so is everyone that has seen him, either in the flesh, or on the video on this page earlier in the week! He is a really good prospect for juvenile hurdles, and will be making his hurdling debut later this month, or in early December.
