BACK ON THE TRACK TOMORROW
It almost seems an eternity since our last runner - in fact it is only 5 days, but we have kept a slightly low profile since a few horses started coughing some 10 days ago. After endless tests, things seem to be heading the right way and hopefully we can get the majority of the horses back on the racecourse in the not too distant future. The weather has not helped, and the youngsters always seem to be the most susceptible to any bugs flying around.
Having checked Dawn Commander, Topaze Collonges and Wide Receiver, I am very happy for them to run tomorrow. If our horses were flying, I would be very keen on the chances of DC and WR, however until they have proved their well being you never know what might happen. DC is a lovely 5yo who could be well handicapped, so I am very keen for him to do well and then he might sneak into a race at Cheltenham. WR has been one our stars of the season having gone up 45lbs in the handicap and fully deserves to take his chance in the Kent National. Topaze is probably as talented as the other two, but has yet to have shown it on the racecourse - very frustrating. So we have decided to send him over fences tomorrow in the hope it may spark some life into him. He is a fantastic jumper, and I hope you will see a big improvement.......
If all goes well tomorrow we might run a few more over the weekend, the most notable being Up to Something in the big DBS Sales Bumper at Newbury on Saturday. Having been bought for £15,000 last May he has amazed us all by impressively winning both his starts to date. He is a future 3 mile soft ground chaser, so to have won his Bumpers is a huge added bonus.
Tomorrow is also the day when all the weights are revealed for the Handicaps at Cheltenham. Unfortunately I will not be able to go to Cheltenham, but it will be interesting to see how borderline a few of ours are to getting in. Cross Of Honour, Secret Tune, Dawn Commander and Time For Spring will all be close to sneaking in the bottom of one of the handicaps, but it is just as likely that they might not. We will be keeping our fingers crossed... Instead of being at Cheltenham for the weights launch, I am off to London for the National Trainers Federation AGM. Having recently been put on the council for our area, it is probably important that I attended. I have been lucky enough to have got so much out of this great sport, that it is about time that I try and put something back - I am sure that it will be very little, but it is the thought that counts!!!
Also this weekend, Newbury are having a small boutique sale after racing. There are 20 proven horses for sale, and incidently it is the sale where Hazy Tom went throught the ring unsold last year...... I have already seen a few of the horses selling, so it will be interesting to see what the market looks like. Please do call if at all interested in buying a horse
