Friday 5 February

That was more like it! Christmas Twenty got back on track yesterday, with a very pleasing run in Towcester. With first time cheekpieces applied - CT travelled very sweetly, jumped for fun, and took it up entering the home straight. He possibly did slightly too much in the first time headgear, and tired to finish 10 lengths off of the winner, and was just nabbed for 3rd on the line. A huge step forward from Fakenham, and he has run his first proper race. In the past he has always raced lazily, and needed reminders - yesterday Brendan has only given him one smack in the home straight - the headgear has definitely helped and will be retained. He seems fine this morning, and will hopefully chill out enough to get to spend a few hours in the field this morning. We will look forward to seeing him out again in about a month. No runners this weekend - so will get to see the opening round of the six nations - The Calcutta Cup is always a highlight of the Rugby Calendar so hopefully 'new' England will get the job done!! Looking at a horse in Ireland this morning - a horse we have followed for a number of months, and enquired about in the past. It looks just the type to be very competitive off of it's current handicap mark over here in the England. Fingers crossed he fits the bill!!