Thursday 25 January

Sorry for the loss of service - a technical error - the reparation of which was way beyond my pay grade I'm afraid - but nice to know that a few of you had expected me to have been dashing down the slopes in St Motritz for a few weeks! There have been no winter holidays I'm afraid, and I've managed to swerve all of the winter bugs (so far), and it is good to be back on line! In fairness since our enforced absence - not a lot has happened - the big news is that Molly Childers managed to win the second race of her career. She had run such a brave race over hurdles in Kempton over Christmas, I was worried that the handicapper would raise her both over the smaller and larger obstacles, as it was he put her up 3lbs over hurdles, but thankfully left her chase mark the same, which meant that she could run in a mares staying chase in Wincanton. This ended up with just 3 runners, but was a good little race, and it produced an exciting finish. Molly jumped very very well, and came out winning by just over 2 lengths. She has come out of the race very well, and will head to Exeter in February for a Listed mares chase down there. The Edmunds yard have found some good form since the turn of the year, with 3 winners in January, but on the whole it has been a quiet time for our runners. Queenohearts is very much on track for a crack at the Jane Seymour in February. A 2m 4f mares Grade 2 novice hurdle - another step up in grade for her, but she has answered every question so far, and sooner or later we will find her level. The hope is that she can progress again - which will result in a trip over to Fairyhouse in April for her.She will have entries at the Cheltenham Festival, but it is not at the top of her list of dance dates at the moment. Pull Together is back at the yard, and has resumed exercise. He had a bit of a bug on him - the same sort of thing that afflicted Now McGinty, but the latter managed to shake it off, where as Pull Together need a spell of complete rest to get over it. Hopefully PT will come back as well as NM who jumped so well to win in Chepstow last week. It has been a quiet month so far, but one that was due to run this weekend was Classic Ben, but he won't head to Doncaster, and both of the meetings he could have run at this week were off due to the frost anyway, so his next stop will be in Sandown on the 2 Feb. Lilly's Arc is in flying form at home, and we are very frustrated that we have not been able to run her in January. She came back from her debut run with very very sore shins, and having had to have them treated she is back working really well, but to try and avoid her suffering sore shins after her next run, we need to get her out on some juicy ground, which is usually the norm in January, but of course this year has been so dry, it has been difficult to get her next run into her. The more she does at home, the more we are convinced that we need to take good care of her, as she is showing up to have plenty of ability, and I am sure everyones's patience will be rewarded. She was so sore after her first run, that if it happens again, and she starts to associate racing with pain, we will not see the best of her at all. She will not be declared in Doncaster tomorrow, as their ground will be bare, and has been watered to achieve good ground, which as she is in the last race of a two day meeting - the top watered turf will have been ripped off, and she would be running on the hard 'pan' underneath. There are a couple of 4 % shares available in her, if anyone is interested. Getaway Mixie is back cantering after her wind op, and will make her hurdling debut shortly. Our Bubba has also had a wind op, and he will run in Uttoxeter tomorrow - he has been working well, and this looks like a nice place to start his hurdling career. He is a staying chaser in the making - so it will be little steps with him. Figarella Borget has had a few easy weeks. She has shown up really well in her work, but Stuart decided to give her an easy spell, just to get her to settle down again, and hopefully when she gets back to full fitness, the experience of having been at that point late last year, will hold her in good stead. Land League, and Go Millie Go are both at The Elms - Land League will return later this month - Go Millie Go will be off until the summer. San Seb continues to recover from injury, as does Maria's Benefit - both of whom will be back next season. We also been busy getting our ducks in a row for our investment syndicates, and we have our first one ready to go. The EIS schemes are the supreme tax efficient investment vehicle, with 30% of investment set off against income tax liabilities, all gains after the 3 year term are Capital Gains free, and any losses can also be offset against future tax liabilities. Why just have money in the bank earning a very small interest sum per year, when you could join in with these investments?! These horses are all to be sold as three year olds, and you will get to see them running on the track without having the risk! We have already secured our first yearling, with the purchase this week of the yearling half brother to Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Sizing John - a real headline purchase, and gorgeous horse to boot. Surely owing a share in a horse like him is more fun than having money in the bank! Meetings continue over the course of the next month or so - so if you are interested in joining in one of our new syndicates, please get in touch. 07909 518902 or email nickbrownracing@gmail.com