Saturday 3 December

Before I forget (again), All are welcome to The Cowpers Oak, in Weston Underwood on the evening of Saturday 17th of December, for the annual yard/owners get together. Always a good night - it would be good to see plenty of folks there to share a drink or two with Stuart and his staff, and say thanks for all their hard work over the last year! Yesterday Apasionado palinly didn't stay the 2m 4f of the Winter Novices Hurdle. He was too keen for at least 1m 4f of the race, and plainly had nothing left at he business end. Turning for home you could not see him being out of the money, but when you hit the wall, you hit the wall, and he trailed in 7th of 7 in the end. The good news is that he is bouncing this morning, and although we talked of giving him a mid winter break straight after the race, Stuart will just keep him ticking for a week, with the small chance of having a look at the Ascot race in 2 weeks time. Definitely not firm plans, but once again, it may pay to keep options open. Good to see Liam, Bob, Olly and Phil and Wendy this morning. They saw Wolf Of Windlesham work with Elusive Cowboy with Cloonacool in behind. Cloonacool will need about 3 more solid pieces of work, and so will not see the racecourse for another 14 days, and we will look at a Ludlow chase, and the handicap hurdle in Kempton on the 27th, the race he won a couple of years ago. Molly Childers has come out of her race in blinding form, and will likely head to Hereford for a mares bumper on the 19th. Sneaking Budge is very close to getting the go ahead to start cantering again, the vet is pleased with him. Pull Together will not be long, a bumoer awaits for him, hopefully later this month. All the 3 yr olds are going great guns, and Stuart is really pleased with them! Chandos Belle did 1 canter this morning, and seems to hgave her buzz back. She will be aimed at a fillys juvenile hurdle between Christmas and the New Year, if she loses her spark again between then and now, she will have a longer break. Third lot, Bob, Liam and Olly got to see Land League do a gentle canter with another very exciting acquisition from the Irish Point To Point field. Land League is a gorgeous horse, and looks very athletic - for details of shares, please email nickbrownracing@gmail.com