Sunday 24 December

Merry Christmas to all of our owners, members and followers! Stuarts team continue in good heart.On Thursday Pull Together, Pine Warbler and Queenohearts went to Towcester. Pull Together ran a nice race to be fourth in the 2m 5f novice hurdle. He travelled and jumped great, just tiring up the hill. He could well drop back to 2m next time. Pine Warbler ran well on what was in effect his first run of the season, as he only got to do a circuit on his first trip to the races this season. Queenohearts had been aimed at the bumper for a while, it is usually a decent race, but so was her debut when she took on the boys in Chepstow finishing fourth. QOH travelled well on the winner before creeping up the inner of the favourite to win by a cosy 5 lengths. The second placed filly had placed third in a hot Listed Bumper in Cheltenham in November so the form has a really strong look to it. She looks like a smashing prospect, and will head to Sandowns Listed Bumper in March. It was a special day for one of her co owners Mark Beesley, who sadly lost his wife to cancer a couple of years ago, and a race is run in her memory at the meeting, so he presented the prize in one race, and collected the prize in the last!! On Friday Clondaw Native and Theclockisticking headed to Ascot. CN successful in the opener, staying on well after the last. He raaces lazily, but responds when asked, and looks to have the making of a really nice stayer in the future. Congratulations to owners Dave and Claire. Clondaw Native was purchased in the spring after failing to meet his reserve at the Aintree sale during the Grand National meeting. Theclockisticking was upped in class for the Grade 2 Novices Hurdle, and ran a blinder to be third. He was not ideally suited by the loose dead ground, but ran a cracking race to be beaten just 4 1/2 lengths! He deserves a crack at a nice race in the spring for sure. Last night was the yard Christmas party at The Cowpers Oak - I think a good night was had by all - and there is sure to be a few sore heads this morning - Mine included!! Boxing Day we head to Huntingdon with 4 runners, Classic Ben will find life tougher with his penalty for winning his hurdling debut in Fakenham, but looks sure to run well in what looks like a decent heat. Sneaking Budge tries 2m 4f again, after staying on to good effect over 2 in Leicester. Land league also steps up in trip in the chase, and going right handed will help. Kaloci takes her chance in the Listed Mares Bumper, and she worked really well this week. A third place and some Black Type will be greaat for her. Ciaran rides all apart from Land League who will be partnered by Paddy Brennan for the first time. Let's hope we can come home with a winner!!