Monday 26 September

Still reflecting on Saturday - really glad that Cloonacool is OK after his tumble. Josh says that he is OK too - after landing heavily on a back that he injured earlier in the year! He says he was winded! Tough these boys! Apasionado is fine, and I think he has run really well. I believe it was a decent heat, and he has beaten some horses, that in the future will prove to be of a reasonable standard. The best things about Apasionado are that he has a bit of quality - he is well balanced, and has gears, but most of all he is very willing,he answers every question asked of him - and really you can't ask any more of that from a horse - I am sure he will give his owners a lot of fun in the future. He will be schooled over hurdles now, and all being well will be out again in 3-4 weeks in a maiden or novice hurdle somewhere. I think the logical step is to get him qualified for the EBF Novice Hurdle Final in Sandown in March - and it is probably best to do this sooner rather than later if possible, as he may not be the type of horse to be running on very deep ground through the worst of the winter. As usual he will tell us. Photos of his UK debut win can be found at http://www.mickatkins.com/gallery_706996.html There are some nice ones on there - Nice momentos for the owners mantelpieces, along with a nice shot of Megan and Cloonacool winning the Best Turned Out award. The other horses are all well. Molly Childers is cantering after her soft palate op, and will continue to do so for another week before going quicker. Pull Together is back on song, and went really well in behind two nice horses on Saturday - as he is a big framed, heavy topped sort of horse, Stuart has decided that he is best off waiting for a bit of give in the ground - we will not be waiting for Soft Heavy in Places - but he will need it to be on the softer side of good, so when we get some rain he will be good to go. Bold Conquest will finish his course of antibiotics mid week, and a decision will be made about the next course of action, he may well take a trip to Gloucestershire to be overland scoped to see if he has any abnormalities in his wind (ie. a soft palate dislocating), which can be rectified on the spot. We will do whatever has to be done to get him back to his best ASAP. Sneaking Budge will quicken up this week, and looks in fine fettle - can't wait to get going with him!!