Saturday 19 December

Two ran well in Ascot yesterday - Petethepear running well to finish a close fifth. San Telm headed to Ascot for the best ground we could find for him, and under Charlie Deutsch, he ran a cracking race over a slightly inadequate trip to finish sixth. ST had had a very hard race last time out, in heavy Uttoxeter ground - but ran with plenty of zest, and enjoyed himself immensely!! He has been in fine form, and showed that yesterday, in a race that we always felt was going to be a bit strong for him. He has come out of the race in fine form, and will go again in the middle of January. Savingforvegas heads to Fakenham tomorrow, in what is surely the strongest mares novice hurdle to be run there in many a season! She breezed well this morning, and it is a good place to start her hurdling career. Good to see so many faces at the staff Christmas party last night! Not so good to see the faces of some of the staff this morning! Jo should really know better!! Matt, Sarah and John were in this morning to see their horses. They saw Bold Conquest work well second lot, and then saw Sneaking Budge do a lovely piece of work with Christmas Twenty. This was their first piece of work since they ran, and the did it well. CT will head to Fakenham on New Years Day off of a handicap mark of 115. We have added Ludlow on January 4th, as an option for Bold Conquest - in case the ground is really bad in Doncaster and Warwick. Sneaking Budge has options in Sandown, Ludlow, Weatherby and Kempton between the 4th and 9th of next month. Cloonacool will be seen in a Novice chase in the middle of Jan. Smart Exit, who is fine after his run on Thursday, will have a tongue tie applied at home, and if he faces that he could head to Chepstow later on next month. If it doesn't work we will have a closer look at his wind and go from there.