Thursday 30 November

Three make the short trip to Towcester this afternoon. Pull Together gets things underway in the opening Novices' Hurdle. This fine big horse has been given all the time he needed to show his best, and as a result he will have needed his debut bumper run in Wincanton. He travelled well for a long way that day, in what I think will turn out to be a very decent heat. Todays track and trip will be much more to his liking, and he he has schooled very well at home. There are a couple of decent sorts in todays race, but we hope that he runs well. Now McGinty makes his handicap debut an hour later. He inproved no end for his debut run, and the form of his Chepstow run was franked earlier in the week. Pine Warbler is the last of the trio, and will make his chasing debut if Stuart thinks the ground is OK for him. He is the son of Cettis Warbler who became famous for winning at the track at odds of 100/1, getting David Ashforth of the Racing Post off to a flying start in his quest to 'Get A Grand For Christmas' when he backed her at those odds. he often remembers dear old Cettis in his columns at this time of year - but then again so would I if i had backed her at 100/1!! Let';s hope her son can do something similar - he has schooled like a natural at home and looks like he has really taken to the job! Chandos Belle has had her wind op, and has returned to the yard. She will resume cantering in a day or two, and should be soon out on the track again - where a step up in trip is likely.