Monday 4 Novvember

Go Millie Go has her second go over hurdles this afternoon in Hereford. This auction maiden hurdle was a good spot by the trainer, as she had been pencilled in for Mares hurdles for her second start, but the conditions of this race suited, and although it is against the 'boys', she gets her 7lb mares allowance which means she is in with a good chance today. She ran a very nice hurdles debut in a supremely hot mares race in Chepstow on her last start, where it was felt the ground was always going to be a bit soft for her - so todays better ground should suit, and hopefully it will be a good day! Molly Childers had been declared in Exeter tomorrow. The 3m handicap chase is a qualifier for the Challenger Series Final in Haydock next spring, and that £50,000 contest would have given us a target to aim at along with other mares races at that time of year, but sadly she will not make the line up, as she has issues with a corn this morning - which means that her shoe must come off to treat it, and Stuart is not sure he can get her 'back on the road' in time. She will now head to Uttoxeter on the 16th for a handicap chase. Really pleased to report that Figarella Borget is well on the road to recovery after her Wincanton run. She returned for the West Country very stiff and sore, and a few minor problems came to light - but time has done her good, and Stuart can now start and gently tip away with her, and get her going again. He is of the opinion that she tried so very hard on her hurdles debut, that she pulled herself about, and that she will be fine. She will certainly be minded over the winter months - although she looked and rode like a considerably stronger mare than in the spring, there is still a long way to go with her, and she can only get better. Getaway Mixie is also well and will head to Ludlow on 14th for a mares maiden hurdle. Classic Ben enjoyed an away day a couple of weeks ago, and reports are that he has really benefited from it. CB will have entries from the 13th onwards, starting in the Anne Duchess Of Westminster Chase in Bangor On Dee. His big pre Christmas target at this stage would be the London National in Sandown in Early December. Blue Bikini has settled into her routine nicely, and Our Bubba is doing plenty of cantering and will step on the gas soon. Land League is being aimed at a chase in Huntingdon next week, where he will step back to 2m 4f, and different tactics will be employed. The 3 yr old Hi Ho Silva Lining, who is owned by The Ivo Partnership is described as a 'bonny little horse' - what he lacks in size he certainly makes up for in attitude! Everyone that I have spoken to that has ridden him seem to enjoy doing so. Sad to report that the wonderful San Seb has been retired from racing. He suffered a small fracture after Christmas last year, and despite everyones best efforts, and plenty of time, the nature if his injury means that he will not be able to stand the repetitive rigours of training. he will be found a lovely retirement home, where he will enjoy the good life. This is part of our job that we take very seriously, and we were delighted when Kikos won the Retraining Of Racehorses award for racehorse to hunter at Aintree's November meeting. he made the final line up last year, but didn't get the top spot, but this year he did, and has had a piece written about him, and his owner, in the Horse And Hound no less. It is lovely to see them go on to other lives, and be successful - Ravenstone Lad became a top show horse through the ROR scheme, and of course Alice continues to go really well with Smart Exit in Eventing. We are still looking hard for our Juvenile Hurdler for this winter, and things were looking very rosy a few days ago, when one of the horses we have been 'stalking' all summer became available - but like all of them recently - the horse was found to have issues that meant it would not stay sound enough for a hurdling career. These equine athletes develop enough problems over time without us having to purchase them - so the quest continues - far and wide!