Wednesday 20 December

Apologies for the lack of recent updates - but we have had problems with the service - but all is back to normal now. Thanks to all those who let me know about the Error Message! Hopefully the problem is now sorted, and we can crack on over this busy period. Lots of News then! Starting last Saturday when Molly Childers ran a cracking race to be fourth in a very competitive Mares' Handicap Hurdle on just her 4th start over hurdles. Molly is a really nice mare, and by being beaten just 10 lengths proved that she is well up to that sort of class. She would be suited by the middle distances in lesser company, but she has shown on Saturday, that she needs a step up in trip in better company. She will have a few easy days now, and we will look for a race for her later in January/Early Feb. She has come out if the race in good form. Today Cloonacool heads to Ludlow, for a Lady Amateur Riders Handicap hurdle. Champion Lady Amateur Gina Andrews, who rode Domesday Book to victory at the Cheltenham Festival for the yard, gets the leg up, and this race is a considerable class drop for him. Saying that he has had his breathing tinkered with since his last run, as we feel that his finishing effort is not what it was. The wind op has made no discernible difference to his training, so we wait to see if it has had any beneficial effects on the track. Tomorrow, Pull Together and Queenohearts will head to Towcester. Pull Together has entries in 2 hurdles over 2m and 2m 4f. He is likely to contest the longer one. He was travelling very well when he fell at the bottom of the hill on Hurdling debut, seems none the worse for it, and we are looking forward to getting him out again. Queenohearts will contest the concluding bumper. She is a fine, big, well bred mare, who was an eye catching fourth on her debut in a very decent Chepstow Bumper against some very talented looking geldings. This is mares company, but is usually a decent heat (Molly Childers was second in it last year), and we are hoping for a nice run from this exciting mare. Theclockisticking heads to Ascot on Friday for the Grade 2 Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle. A winner of both his hurdles, he looks like a cracking prospect, and deserves to take his chance in one of the seasons top 2m novice hurdles. Clondaw Native has an entry in the maiden hurdle on Fridays card, Plans are now in place for Boxing Day - and it looks like a busy one! Four will travel to Huntingdon. Classic Ben will contest the Novices Hurdle. He will carry a penalty, which will make life tough in what is usually a strong heat, but he hasn't learned a lot from his first 3 rules runs, despite finishing second twice, and winning his last outing. he will be ridden with cover on Boxing Day, so that he learns how to race, and this should pay dividends in the future. Sneaking Budge will contest the 2m 4f handicap hurdle. He is in great heart at home, and Stuart had considered another crack at 2m, but he will step up in trip again, and if we can get this big lad to put a few runs together, he should be winning again shortly. Land League will contest the 2m 4f Handicap chase. He didn't jump or travel at all fluently in Fakenham last time, but this way round and a more conventional track should suit him far better. Kaloci had been pencilled in to make her hurdling debut in Fakenham yesterday, but when Huntingdons Peterborough Chase meeting fell foul of the recent heavy snow they have rerouted the Listed Mares Bumper originally to be run on that card to Boxing Day, so we thought that she was worth a crack at a decent prize, with the chance of picking up some black type, which will help a great deal for her career as a broodmare. Vinegar Hill heads to Market Rasen on Boxing Day for the Lincolnshire National. Marias's Benefit has the Listed Mares' Novices' Hurdle in Taunton as her next target. She has collected two really nice prizes in Handicap hurdles over the last month or so, and gets into this race without a penalty. I see that two of her main rivals in this class, are entered over 2m 2f in haydock this weekend, so it will be very interesting to see what mares turn up in Somerset. If you look at the antepost lists for the Mares Novice at the Cheltenham Festival they have her as the 5th fav, and as such she is the highest UK based filly to have jumped a hurdle in public - she is a lovely prospect. Lets hope there are some winners in this talented group. Now we are back working - there will be more news tomorrow, with new horses to talk about! See you back here tomorrow!!