1 December 2021
Finally, we managed to school on the grass in the top field this morning! Albeit we only schooled a few over the hurdles and the going was quick, but safe. It is madness that it is the first day of December today and we have only just managed to get going in the schooling field. I hope everyone had their advent calendars ready this morning! The staff have just picked out their names for Secret Santa, and Christmas is now allowed to be discussed on the yard which always puts everyone in good spirits.
Paul was in for the whole morning today, as he did not have to rush off racing, which was great and meant we could school a few of the younger ones. First up we had Illegal Model, Byzantium Lad, Guetapan Collonges, Glen Forsa and Shah An Shah all jumping around the hurdles on the loop with the ditch board in front. It is still too firm to jump up the fences on the grass. Second lot was George Bancroft, Saint Dalina, What About Time and Glimpse Of Gala up the hurdles on the grass and all were very good considering they have not jumped up there yet this season. Haas Boy and Zestful Hope jumped around the hurdles in the school and had Vivas to use as a lead. This is because they are still inexperienced, and the school is a great way to introduce them. Finally, Hector Javilex and Glebe Road also popped around the school, they have both ran in a P2P but it was the first day we had jumped them at home. Both were very good. Finally, the Unamed Getaway Gelding popped over some poles in the school for the first time and he really is proving to be a natural. He takes everything in his stride, and it was very pleasing to watch.
Today Carlow Farmer and The Wise Traveller headed up to Haydock. The Wise Traveller was under Jordan Nailor and ran another respectable race from the front. However, turning in he just got cut up a bit and lost his momentum. Carlow Farmer ran a much improved race back over hurdles with a persistent ride from Charlie Deutsch. Charlie kept him up to his work from the front all the way, and kicked on from home early, just getting caught on the line to come 2nd, which is always frustrating, but we cannot be too disappointed with the performance!
Tomorrow we have George Bancroft with Kevin Brogan at Market Rasen along with High Yield making his racecourse debut under Brian Hughes. On Friday The Mighty Arc and Stroll On By head up to Sedgefield, Sean Quinlan and Brian Hughes ride respectively. As mentioned on Monday Saturday looks a busy day with entries everywhere, however with the little rain it might not be a busy as we first thought. Ironic that as I write this, we are having a very heavy rain shower! Snow Leopardess is entered in the Becher at Aintree, and this is where we plan to go, however she also has an entry at Chepstow, along with Byzantium Lad, Saint Dalina, What About Time and Illegal Model. Almazhar Garde is entered at Sandown although is more than likely to go to Kelso on the Sunday. Largy Nights is in at Wetherby along with Castle Robin, who also has an entry at Kelso, where Illegal Model and Just Your Type also hold entries. Shah An Shah the only entry at Huntingdon on Sunday for us and then we have no entries Monday, just Largy Nights on Tuesday.
Oh, we have also just sent out our November newsletter, please have a read and it even gives you some Christmas Present ideas - https://mailchi.mp/0f937bb52f65/charlie-longsdon-newsletter-13408263
