Sunday 8 November

The three B's went racing this week - Ben, Bubba and Bikini, all for the Fences Farm outfit. Classic Ben got the week going with a great run off of top weight in the staying handicap chase in Exeter. He showed some vim and vigour on his seasonal debut - taking a nice hold for the first mile, and jumping well. As usual, he lost his spot as the pace quickened, but toughed it out up the long home straight to finish second. A super run, and we can look forward to his return to Sandown next month. From the south west, it was up to the north east on Thursday, where Our Bubba was to make his chasing debut. After a couple of unfortunate set backs, it was good to see him back last month over hurdles in Uttoxeter. He was very rusty that day, and put in an awful round of jumping, and the switch to fences was expected to bring out the best in him. For a circuit it looked to be going great, but as the pace quickened down the back he started to come under a bit of pressure, and his jumping once again went to pieces. Ciaran reported that he felt there was just something amiss with him, and he will have a date with the vet this coming week. Friday saw the racecourse debut of Blue Bikini, who contested the mares bumper in Warwick. Drawn in what looked like very much the hotter of the two divisions BB ran very well. She can be a bit of a madam, but behaved beautifully all day. She was very professional in the race itself, and was bang there turning in, at which point she got tapped for toe, and probably found out for a bit of experience, having never had an away day or a racecourse gallop. The nice thing to see was that she stayed on nicely all the way up the home straight, and looks a mare with a nice future. She has come out of the race OK for her, and will go for another bumper on a softer surface. This week we were due to see Queenohearts, but she will not run, as she has met with slight set back - the injury jinx strikes again - but this doesn't seem too serious (hopefully), and she should have entries again soon. At Fergal O'Brien's - Yauthym is back and going really nicely - Paddy Brennan has a plan for her - and she is still on track. Volkovka is also well, and is moving very nicely. She is having plenty of schooling and will be out again soon. San Seb is also close to a return. He is working and schooling well, and hopefully he will be back on track soon. The Kapgarde filly that is down at Jason Maguires is also very well. She is currently enjoying a little break, but will be back into work soon. She is a gorgeous bug girl, and we can't wait to get going with her!! It was good to see Molly Childers at The Elms Stud on Friday, it is so sad that her racing career has come to an end through injury, but she will make a lovely broodmare, and has settled into her easier way of life - and is nicely chilled out!