Friday 20 March

And then it was over - a long wet National Hunt season came to a premature end on Tuesday, when the BHA announced that all racing was suspended until the end of April - thus ending the 2019/20 jumps season on the spot. Short term, a real shame, as we had 2 entered this week that stood a great chance of hitting the winners circle in Yauthym and Molly Childers, but it was not to be, and these 2 will be roughed off and turned out for the summer when temperatures, and grass growth allow. Also joining them in the field will be Classic Ben when the vet has got to the bottom of his slight lameness - it may be that his turnout is delayed depending on the diagnosis. Blue Bikini will also head off for a break. In truth she has been struggling to handle the rigours of full work for a while, and was only just coping - so the enforced break probably came at just the right time for her, and she will be back in the summer having learned a great deal from the experience of this winter. She remains a lovely prospect. Hi Ho Silva Lining has gone back to The Elms this week, and will go out in the field shortly. We have kept three in training - Land League who was just about ready to run, but was waiting for a bit better ground will have the summer campaign that was planned for him should racing resume as stated. Figarella Borget, who needs better ground and missed the winter due to a nasty cut, and Go Millie Go who injured herself mid winter, and has had a break and is back cantering. I, for one, am not disappointed to see the end of the 2019/20 season - it was long and tough. It started with such high hopes - Queenohearts looked like having a superb season before a leg injury ruled her out for 12 months. San Seb's form was working out fantastically, and he was one of the brighter stars to go to war with, but sadly he never got to the track. Our Bubba was being bought along slowly as a horse of his quality and size demanded, only to injure himself schooling, and have to stand down for the rest of the season. Getaway Mixie got one injury too many, and was sent back to the stud to give her and her owners time to decide on a different plan of action. Hi Ho Silva Lining never made it to the track, and Maria's Benefit was sadly retired. Of those we did get to see run, Molly Childers kept spirits up as usual - having another fine, consistent season, and winning nher race in Catterick. Classic Ben was aimed at the London National pre Christmas where he fell in what was the void race, was then aimed at the Masters Chase back at Sandown, a race he had won last year, only to be found to be suffering with a respiratory infection after the race, explaining a below par run. Yauthym was claimed form France in November, and sent to Fergal O'Brien with a plan in mind - we only got 1/2 way through it, but we achieved one of the goals when she gained valuable black type when finishing third in a Listed Hurdle in Doncaster in January. All in all a poor year - despite having 9 horses in training to run in our colours through the season we managed just 24 starts, and achieving just a single winner, which is disappointing. I would like to thank all the owners that have been with is, and hope that 2020/21 goes a bit better than the last one.