Friday 26 January

Tomorrow will be a big day for the yard - in fact it would be a big day for any yard - two runners in two Grade 2 hurdles. Classic Ben steps up to that grade for the first time after winning both of his hurdle starts to date. he is a talented horse, but is not mentally ready for a handicap at this stage of his career, so unless he was to carry a double penalty in a novices hurdle - this step up in grade was the only logical option. The step up to 3 miles looks to be right up his street having been the first of the front few off the bridle on his latest start in Huntingdon on Boxing Day, and he seems to have improved in his homework since then as well. He faces a stiff task, but will run his race, and will not let his owners down I'm sure. Then it is the turn of stabke star Maria's Benefit, who contests the Grade 2 Mares Hurdle. This is a step up for her as well, as she will taking on older mares in Graded company for the first time - but she has contested two handicaps, and was the runaway winner of her last start in a Listed Novices Hurdle for Mares in Taunton over Christmas. She faces 5 rivals, and if the handicapper has assessed her correctly, she should take all the beating - but that remains to be seen. Fingers crossed for a good day - and a safe return for both horses. Ciaran Gethings rides both. Kaloci has come out of her race well, and should be good to go again in around 3 weeks. Molly Childers is also in good form and her return to action wouldn't be too far away! she will be out around the middle of Feb. Stay tuned next week for news of a new horse! Good luck to connections of Now McGinty who runs in Doncaster this afternoon.