Sunday 6 October

We have rolled into October, and now, finally things are hotting up! Two runners last week, and more entries for the coming few days. Land League returned to Huntingdon on Wednesday, for his first run after another wind op. He has now had three, which is a bit unusual (and expensive) to say the least, but he just will not allow a vet to scope him without sedation - which means that trying to perform an overland scope, where a camera in inserted up the nose and into the horse, and images are studied while he/she is at exercise is impossible. His first two procedures were therefore to rectify a problem that he was 'thought' to be suffering from given the evidence of the noises he was making. Sadly it turned out not to be the case, so his latest operation was a little more invasive, and it was hoped that it would sort the problem out. Having hopefully remedied one problem we gave ourselves another, as he held entries in 2 chases over 2m4f and 3m. After a lot of thought, we plumped for the intermediate trip, as the race looked a little less competitive. We are aware that he would appreciate a step up in trip, but felt, after weighing everything up, that the shorter trip was the right on one the day. LL ran a fine race, finishing a good second - and although well beaten, he was 12l clear of the third. Ciaran reported that the wind op had worked, and that he was at least able to ride a race on him, and be where he wanted to be, when he wanted to be. He said LL jumped and travelled great, and that, as we knew, he needs that extra 1/2 mile now. LL has come out of the race very well, and will be out again later this month - over 3 miles on a right handed track. On Thursday Molly Childers made her seasonal debut in the feature 3m chase in Warwick. Molly Had her annual trip to Ben Brains, so that he could overland scope her, as she has always made a noise when she works, but as happens every year, he tells us that there is nothing that can be done surgically to remedy the issue. It is the same every time - but it is worth just checking on a regular basis. For this reason, on Thursday MC sported a tongue tie, to see if it would aid her, but in the end it was all a little irrelevant. Having, as usual, jumped perfectly for a circuit, she was in a lovely rhythm and going great when the horse in front of her attempted to refuse at the ditch away from the stands, this meant that he came away from the back of the obstacle very slowly, and MC, having jumped the obstacle really well, ran straight into the back of him, clipping heels. Ciaran did a remarkable job to keep the partnership in tact, but the race was over for them in effect, and she was left to come home in her own time. Molly returned with a swollen joint, and there was a slight worry about her, but thankfully on Friday morning, all was well with her and she went out for her usual exercise. Lovely to welcome three ladies to see the horses on Friday morning - Rebekah had purchased a Morning On The Gallops at a charity golf day earlier in the year, and she cam along with 2 of her good friends Gill and Sally. We watched a couple of Lots at exercise - had a wander around the yard, and then headed of for a terrific lunch at The Swan in Astwood, which is under new management, and is highly recommended! All 3 ladies thoroughly enjoyed their morning, and I am sure we will see them again. Next week, is a 'Girls Week'. It will be great to see 'Miracle Mare' Getaway Mixie make her seasonal debut - she only ran once last season, after coming within hours of losing her life 18 months ago. Her run then was very poor, and she has been given time to recover. She is going well at home, and it will be lovely for her very patient owners, to see her back on track - I very much hope she will repay their patience. Having escaped a ballot - she will take her chance in the bumper in Ludlow on Wednesday, if the ground is suitable. Figarella Borget is entered to make her seasonal/hurdle debut in a mares maiden hurdle in Wincanton on the same day, and at this stage is an intended runner. Her schooling at home has been very very good, and although the 3/4 sister to Sprinter Sacre is only very small, she is very good over her hurdles at home. She is an intended runner, and good to firm ground would not be a bother to this small, light framed filly. At the moment the plan is for Ciaran to ride FB, and, if possible, Josh Moore to ride GM. Girls week is rounded off by Go Millie Go, who is entered in a mares novices hurdle in Chepstow on Friday. GMG will be making her debut for her owners, despite arriving 18 months ago. She managed to self harm quite a bit last autumn, before a niggly little problem put pay to her winter. She has come back in good form, and this mare, which the team have always liked is showing up nicely at home. She looks a nice mare, and like Getaway Mixie, looks sure to repay her owners patience this season. In 10-12 days, the new recruit Blue Bikini will arrive at Fences Farm. Another share in her was reserved this week, and there are now only a few of the 25 left. This gorgeous filly ticks all the right boxes, she has a fantastic pedigree, she is the half sister to the dam of one of last years top bumper performers Blue Sari, who at this stage is ante post favourite for the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Her dam is a black type performer, who has bred a black type performer - match this with her great looks and she ticks a lot of boxes. Please get in touch if you would like to reserve a share in her - there is no capital cost - and the training fees are fixed at £25/week, all inclusive. There is also no minimum term on ownership, and you are free to leave if or when your situation were to change - can't be fairer than that - email me on nickbrownracing@gmail.com or call/text me on 07909 518902. Talking of new horses - we did buy a gorgeous filly this week - a 3/4 sister to one of last seasons top juvenile hurdlers - the JP McManus owned, and Joesph O'Brien trained Gardens Of Babylon. Gardens Of Babylon was second in the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle in Leopardstown, before running third in The Triumph Hurdle at the Festival, and rounding off the campaign with a win at the Punchestown Festival. This gorgeous young filly will not be aimed at a flat campaign, and will instead be stored until she is three. She is a big girl now, and looks a really nice addition to the team!