Thursday 10 March

One or two decisions to be made today. The first one, was, with regular pilot Cieran Gethings banned this weekend - who rides Smart Exit. We looked down the list, and one name jumped out - the winner of a Grade 1 chase this winter, and the richest handicap hurdle run each season - Lizzie Kelly. At the moment she is booked to ride. The second decision was if/where to run Bold Conquest. With Heavy featuring in all the going descriptions at the tracks where he hold entries, we think it is best to wait a few days with him. There are 2 similar hurdle races for him in 2 weeks time, back at Chepstow and Market Rasen so we will wait to see what the ground is by then. The imminent arrival of spring will mean he will get his ground, so it will be worth the wait. His conditions are on the way, not fast disappearing with as we come out of winter! The third decision regarded San Telm, and for the very same reasons that I have outlined for Bold Conquest - he too will stay at home this weekend.