Saturday 2 September

Apologies for the lack of recent updates - it's been all go! This week has involved three days at the Goffs UK Premiere Yearling Sales in Doncaster, which were great fun as always. Long days at the sales, followed by long nights 'networking'!! It can take it out of you you know!! While we were up there, Stuart took Cloonacool and Maria's Benefit down to Lambourn to work up the Back of The Hill gallop down there. a stiff uphill climb, it is a good test of both ability and fitness. Brendan Powell rode Cloonacool, and reported him to do a solid piece of work. Harriet rode Maria's Benefit who was very impressive, and has earned a planned entry in Worcester on September 12th. We got back from Doncaster on Thursday evening, and it was back in the car on Friday for the trip to Bangor On Dee to see Land League make his seasonal debut. He was a very unlucky faller when last seen in the spring, in a race where it very much looked like he would have run out a wide margin winner. He had a good break, and has come to hane very quickly this autumn. He is a gorgeous, tall imposing horse, who has been going very well since his break, and we were hopefull of a good run. Brendan Powell his regular pilot was in the plate, and he jumped off in second place behind a clear leader. LL jumped impeccably, and took it up between the last two with ease. He fiddled the last - Brendan at pains to avoid him coming up out of his hands as he had done in Fontwell. A couple of flicks behind the saddle, and he ran out an impressive 9 length winner. He seems fine this morning, and thanks to Ryan & Ryan who bought thankyou gifts in for the staff this morning. We will see what the handicapper has to say this week, and make a plan for him. This morning was a busy one. Molly Childers worked very well alongside Maria's Benefit. Both will make hurdling debuts this month, and both should figure highly in the mares division this season. Clondaw Native, Classic Ben, Charmagne and Theclockisticking all cantered. CB & CN will quicken up next week. Third lot, Top Gary cantered gently past. Stuart has been working very hard to get him to lower his head carriage slightly, and it is working a treat - he is coming on great! Queenohearts is due to start cantering in ernest tomorrow, but this morning we got a sneak preview, and she really moved well. It is a while since we have seen her move, but Stuart and I are both convinced that we didn't see her move like that in the spring. She is looking and moving great, so very much going in the right direction. Pull Together also had a very short canter and moved well. Kaloci cantered with Pine Warbler, she gained a new partnership member last week - we wish John the best of luck with her! There really are only a very small number of shares left now - just £25/week, with no capital cost. Fourth Lot, Vinegar Hill, Ted Thistle, Sneaking Budge and Now McGinty all cantered, and all looked in fine form. Two year old Sumu, who cantered for the first time yesterday, went for a short ride this morning. All in all great fun!