30th March 2013

Knight Of Noir won easily, Sam Drinkwater has always maintained we would see a special horse on top of the ground and he was right. I have only been able to work him on soft this winter. Although he's always shown us plenty he certainly impressed us today. Sam Waley Cohen still had him on a very tight rein crossing the finishing line. My immediate thoughts were for Sam who we forced to sit Easter out through injury. Virtuoso Rouge came up against a very special horse of Richard Barbers named Urban Hymn. Mr Barber told me he was their best horse by a long shot and the owner had paid a lot of money for him out of France. Our lad served it up to him 4 out, the pair of them were flat to the boards when Virtuoso Rouge fell 3 out. They were a long way clear of the others and on any other day he'd have won convincingly as he wouldn't have got racing so soon. Once I'd seen horse and rider get up my thoughts were again with Sam Drinkwater, I was delighted we forced him to sit this Easter out. Another fall on his already cracked ribs could have had resulted in serious injuries for him. I have no doubt in my mind we made the right decision as far as Sam is concerned. He hates me for it, but I can live with that! Sam Waley Cohen was a fantastic substitute, neither result would have been any different with either jockey.

All the other horses had quiet canters this morning accept Medieval Gateway who may go to Paxford on Monday.

29th March 2013

Whoops! Sholto is 7 in two days not 5 as I posted yesterday. The Welsh boys can leave their Welsh rugby shirts on their side of the Severn Bridge, he has many England shirts which he'll continue to wear win, loose or draw! Thanks for the offer though.

Medieval Gateway, Virtuoso Rouge and Knight Of Noir schooled this morning in preparation for their runs over the Easter weekend. I will walk Paxford on Sunday. All the other horses had quiet canters, we have been cantering into a bitterly cold wind all week and I very cautious when doing so. This evening I fogged the stables, barn, lorry and walker.

28th March 2013

My birthday!

Sholto is currently baking a cake for me, if it is anything like his twice baked cheese souffle it will be delicious. He's some chef for a 5 year old. I think chefs are pretty temperamental, he is cut out for it. He's just said "Daddy, that's your present and it cost one hundred and fifty quid" I shall look forward to my credit card bill.

Tom Campbell was here to trach wash Cestus before Haydock, he won't run, his wash was 90% and that isn't good enough to go into a bumper with, he will have a course of anti biotics and we will look for something for him in 10 days. I can now understand why many trainers drink so much! Although he's well, I've known him better and we have waited two and a half years, 10 more days won't kill us.

All the horses had routine canters, Luke Morgan was in for 1 lot, it was great to see him.

27th March 2013

Major Martin is tired after his run yesterday and will now be let down before heading to the paddocks as soon as the weather improves. We will run him again before the November sales. He will benefit hugely from a summer at grass and is a lovely prospect. Sam TD was very complimentary about him. I thought he ran a cracking race all things considered.

Cestus is a likely runner at Haydock on Saturday and given the weather reports they could produce some decent ground. If the ground is safe Virtuoso Rouge and Knight Of Noir will possibly go to Larkhill, I will walk it Friday afternoon. I have had to make a really tough decision - Sam has 2 cracked ribs and I've made him stand down, obviously, Sam thinks he'll be fine and I can relate to how he's feeling as I've been there. He has worked very hard this winter for us and it is really tough on him. I know he will be compromised, a horse taking a grip with a jockey suffering from cracked ribs isn't a good combination. The owners and horses need a jockey who is 110% fit. I feel for Sam but it is an occupational hazard, we all look forward to having him back after Easter.

We are in chaos, due to the sale of Sophie family farm we are now tenants and are moving into the farmhouse opposite the yard. Boxes are everywhere and Sophie has been doing a sterling job while I've been pretty much tied up with the yard.

25th March 2013

The weekend was no better than the week. Racing has to be one of the toughest businesses there is, the highs and lows are incomparable to anything else I know. Dark Tartan ran really well with 5lbs overweight! had she held her position early on in the race I think she would have gone close, however, she finished 3rd and it was a very satisfactory run. Medieval Gateway unseated Sam at the 3rd fence. Very frustrating but this happens to everyone, I felt he only needed to jump round to win. He is entered at Paxford on Monday and is a likely runner. Both horses are fine after their excursions. Dark Tartan will have at least 5 weeks before we look for another race.

Virtuoso Rouge and Knight Of Noir are entered at Larkhill on Saturday, if it splits they will both run, if not Virtuoso Rouge will take preference. Cestus is entered at Haydock on Saturday and Huntingdon on Monday, ground will govern where he goes if he goes anywhere.

Major Martin is declared to run at Fontwell tomorrow in what looks a competitive race and above average for Fontwell.

Tom Campbell was in this morning to trach wash and take blood off Patrick Milmo's Notnowcato colt who is heading into training with Ed Dunlop if the results are healthy.

The weather is disgusting, the horses need some sun as do I.

23rd March 2013

A desperate morning riding out, the snow was falling all morning and we ended up with well over 1 inch of the bloody stuff.

Trouble Digger is fine following his fall yesterday. I'm bit cross with myself for running him, I've always known he puts everything into his races and needs time to get over them, 3 weeks for him isn't enough.

All the horses cantered this morning.

The reports this evening would allow us to believe that Barbury will be on and Medieval Gateway will run if that's the case.

Tomorrows World Pooh Sticks Championship is also postponed until September!

22nd March 2013

Trouble Digger seems fine after his fall, he is tucked up safely in bed with his head firmly in his feed pot. In hindsight, we may have been aiming a bit high with him, we knew it was a massive step up in class and he was always in top gear, his jumping wasn't as accurate as it had been at Lingfield and he lost his position a couple of times through minor errors, he looked beat turning out of the back with over half a mile to run. His fall was a tired one, Sam felt he couldn't pull up as he was in 4th place, I hope he has learnt today that you can in fact pull up when your beat no matter what position your in, especially on horses that I train. The horse must always come first, I don't give a monkeys about finishing in minor places, we don't want  a handicap mark and there is always another day.

Knight Of Noir won't run tomorrow, had the maiden been the 1st race I may have considered it further, as it is the last it isn't a consideration. Medieval Gateway will run if Barbury is on as I think he'll love the ground.

21st March 2013

Panda's 5th birthday, David her godfather is over from Ireland to join the celebration!

Sam was in and we schooled Virtuoso Rouge, Trouble Digger, Knight Of Noir, Gunner Road, Go Billy Go, Hopstrings, Frankenstorm, Net Work Rouge, Dark Tartan and Medieval Gateway. All the others had routine canters.

The forecast for the next 36 hours is horrendous, Newbury have called a 7.30 AM inspection. I hope it passes as I think Double Trigger has a big chance tomorrow.

20th March 2013

A easy day for those that worked on the grass yesterday, Trouble Digger had a little blow on the woodchip and is going to take his chance on Friday at Newbury. Virtuoso Rouge went for an away gallop and has an entry at Larkhill on Easter Saturday, I may enter him at Upton but would expect better ground at Larkhill, Upton will be pudding like. Dark Tartan, Gunner Road and Frankenstorm will have entries at Hackwood Park on Easter Monday. Frankenstorm and Gunner Road will also have entries at Paxford but I'd expect Hackwood to get the better ground. We are expecting another soaking of rain starting tomorrow night and through into Friday. Dark Tartan won't run at Barbury if the rain arrives. Knight Of Noir will go to Siddington and Medieval Gateway Barbury Castle.

19th March 2013

Gunner Road, Go Billy Go (Alflora Gelding), Hopstrings, Knight Of Noir, Major Martin, Medieval Gateway, Frankenstorm and Dark Tartan all went to the grass - it was soft! The others had routine canters.

There is more rain forecast and I am still unsure about any runners except Medieval Gateway who will act on the ground. Trouble Digger delivered his buck this morning on the woodchip, we will see how is is tomorrow and Thursday before discussing options regarding Newbury and future races. If he is going to go to the Hunter Chase evening meeting in May I'd want him going there fresh and believe that there is only one more run in him beforehand.

Major Martin has an entry in the bumper at Towcester on Monday and is a likely runner. Sam Twiston Davis will ride.

18th March 2013

Vazaro Delafayette is jumping out of his skin, it is as if he hasn't had a race - well he didn't really, he did is so easily.

This rain has ruined our racing plans this week, I decided not to run Sergeant Thunder today at Southwell and it was definitely the right decision. The races I saw the horses were finishing knackered. Cestus won't run at Haydock, Warwick or Huntingdon he wants some decent ground and will have to wait. The only possible runner is Trouble Digger at Newbury on Friday. He hasn't bucked or bounced on the spot since Lingfield. Unless we see those signs of well being he will wait too.

The 2.5 mile maiden at Barbury Castle only has 18 entries, 2 of which are mine and only 1 of them will run as the likelihood of it dividing has to be slim. With the ground as it is it is likely to be Medieval Gateway who will act on a bit of juice in the ground. He is a half brother to Back In Focus and will stay every yard of the trip. Dark Tartan may run in the mares maiden if we don't get anymore rain. She is by Kayf Tara and rule of thumb, they want top of the ground. She may go for the experince, that will be up to the owners, ultimately, she will have babies. I think Net Work Rouge is a good ground horse. Net Work Rouge jumped 9 fences today all the others had quiet canters.

If anyone shared my concerns about the appauling level of enteries in p2p's of late you need not worry, this weekend has massive entries and it would appear that the sport is in good health if not in good hands!

16th March 2013

Vazaro Delafayette won easily at Larkhill by 20 lengths in horrendous conditions, I told Sam on the phone last night that he wouldn't need to move a muscle on him. Sam gave him a smashing ride and said "if i had hit him i'd have stopped in America". He is a horse I could have taken everywhere and anywhere but he would have still had his eyes out on storks on race day. We got him into the paddock very late, Sam jumped on and off to the start they went. He would see and hear a bird fart 20 miles away, he spent most of the race concentrating on everything apart from what he was there for. I don't believe I could have changed that with any amount of preparation. The result was the best we could have hoped for and he will now head to the sales. I had to go and hide alone behind a landrover to watch it. I felt a lot of pressure today. He is by Robin Des Champs out of a unraced mare who is the dam of 4 winners from 5 runners. He was our most expensive purchase last Spring and we needed him to deliver to keep the ball rolling. The rain lashed down and the wind blew a gale, the army let off about 500 rounds of bullets followed by bellows of red and grey smoke all of which was hugley helpful.

The rugby was a disaster, England were out played and hammered by the Welsh 30 points to 3. Playing rugby under a roof is ridiculous in my opinion.

15th March 2013

Vazaro Delafayette jumped 6 fences, he did it well and will run somewhere tomorrow, either Larkhill or Chaddesley. Virtuoso Rouge will jump some fences tomorrow and may go to Whitfield on Sunday. I am conscious that the ground will go very quickly, he will want a bit of give in the ground. He's a big horse and I wouldn't want to run him on fast ground.

All the others had routine canters.

What a great day for Nicky Henderson, I hope the Gold Cup victory secures him the champion trainer title. I have a fair amount of dealings with Mr Henderson and he's a good guy. I have on occasions picked up the phone to ask him questions about issues I've had with horses and racetracks in particular. He is always willing and able to find the time to discuss things. I also know many of his staff from old, especially Corky who I used to play golf with. He doesn't like loosing!

An early start tomorrow as we've 25 horses to get out before we even consider leaving for the p2p.

Trouble Diggers' form was franked nicely today as Penmore Mill the horse he beat at Lingfield hosed up at Fakenham. I haven't seen the Foxhunters yet but am told that the winner was a lucky one!

14th March 2013

Billy Biscuit left today and has gone into training with Alan King, I am sure he's a horse who will give his new owner a lot of fun and win his races. Vazaro Delafayette had a blow on the woodchip, he will jump a few fences tomorrow. Sam had hoped to come in to get a feel of him as I haven't let him sit on him yet! Sadly, that won't now happen as the frost ruined it for us today. Sam will be at Cheltenham tomorrow with Hilary Parrotts' runner in the Gold Cup and riding in the Foxhunters.

All the other horses had quiet canters on the woodchip and all is well.

Cheltenham was as fantastic as ever, since I heard the news of JT's fall I have been left with a sickening feeling in my stomach. I have met him on one occasion in Ireland but don't know him at all. I just hope he is OK and is able to make a full recovery. Things like this always make me realise and appreciate what is important in life. A lame horse in the yard can wreck my head for days but accidents like this put it all into prospective.

Tomorrow evening I will be walking Larkhill, if the rain that is forecast arrives I think it will be the best ground in the country, if not we may re-route Vazaro Delafayette to Chaddesley Corbett.

13th March 2013

Trouble Digger thought he was in seventh heaven being taken for an away gallop, he loves life and thoroughly enjoyed himself. Cestus went too. All the others had routine canters, they are now fit and most will be freshen up before racing over the next 3 weeks.

Cheltenham was hugely exciting and gives me me a real buzz, I can really empathise with how many of the trainers must feel, Nicky Henderson looks a nervous wreck. Sprinter Sacre was outstanding and a joy to watch. The New One was also brilliant, Sam TD is a future champion jockey and a very nice guy, I spoke to his agent last week in the hope of booking him for Cestus, he is pencilled in and only time will tell if we get him or not.

Channel 4's coverage and camera work is appalling. Graham Cunningham thoughts and analysis relate to the horses as being like racing cars. He should be scratched from the Channel 4 team ASAP. He makes ridiculous comments and it is clear he actually understands nothing about training and riding horses. He is obvioulsy very good at clock watching as he seems obsessed with section times. Their camera work is atrocious and only for the run in rail, horses and jockey's body language we'd have no idea a fence is approaching. Many viewers will be able to see a horses stride at a fence and know whether or not it will be meeting it spot on, short or long from many strides out. On many occasions, with the camera work today it was impossible to see how the horses were going to meet the fences. At times I saw the front 2 or 3 jump an obstacle and had no idea if any others had followed them over or fallen. It is all well and good getting in close to the horses but that isn't how to watch a horse race. We need to be able to see the whole field apart from stragglers for 95% of the time. There should be a warning to viewers at the start of coverage that if they suffer from epilepsy they should not watch as the camera work could induce a fit!

Back In Focus' half brother named Medieval Gateway is tucked up in his stable this evening,  he may well run at Barbury Castle on 24th March. Briar Hill the winner of the Champion bumper is by Shantou the same sire as Medieval Gateway. Graham Wylie owns both Briar Hill and Back In Focus, perhaps Mr Wylie would like to buy Medieval Gateway at the sales once he's won on 24th March. 

12th March 2013

The freezing north east wind scuppered any horses working, all had routine canters. We rushed about a bit in the hope of getting home to watch Cheltenham, when I did get home I discovered they had but racing back. All well and good but I only managed to watch 3 races before heading back to evening stables, I'll watch the rest on racing replay.

The Cheltenham Festival gets me buzzing every year, I never go as we are always busy and the work at home has to be my priority. However, sitting down to watch it causes a feeling I can't describe, the anticipation and anxiety it causes is fantastic. It was clear to see that Simonsig was too fresh cantering to the start, his jumping wasn't great but he still won which is testament to his ability.

I have watched racing for a number of years now and can't recall any horse winning a championship race setting off like Overturn and Rock and Ruby did today. It isn't meant as a criticism but I have never understood how any trainer or jockey expects any horse to gallop all but flat out for 2 + miles.

11th March 2013

Tom Campbell our vet was in to trach wash this weekends runners and all appear to be in good health. Vazaro Delafayette and Knight Of Noir have entries at Larkhill and Chaddesley Corbett. Knight Of Noir and Virtuoso Rouge have entries at Whitfield too. Ground will depend on where they go. I have looked at the entries and it appears that there is a substantial decrease in numbers which is worrying. I am not best placed to comment as I do not know the trends of previous years. I'd imagine with Easter nearly upon us people maybe holding back their runners for that period. Chaddesley is a rearranged fixture which can't help. Larkhill is considered to be our premier track, people maybe avoiding Larkhill that for weaker contests over Easter, I do not know.

Sergeant Thunder will head hopefully to Southwell on Monday in a Conditional and Amateur riders bumper, Sam will ride but the ground will have to dry up, with the winds I doubt that will be a problem. Cestus will have entries at Warwick, Haydock and Huntingdon next week too. Max Ward will not be going for the DBS Sales race, it has just come too soon for him. He will be aimed somewhere in April early May.

Tomorrows away gallop is already cancelled due to the cold high wind forecast.

9th March 2013

Max Ward, Medieval Gateway, Dark Tartan, Gunner Road, Sergeant Thunder and Alflora gelding worked on our grass. The others stayed on the woodchip. Tim Rootes was here to see his Medicean Filly and Lunette, both horses had quiet canters. Geoff Bosley dropped off his Lucarno gelding who will be prepared and offered at The Doncaster May Sale, he looks a good sort and I am told that Lucarno could well be a serious stallion.

The horses seem in good order, I am looking forward to running a few over the next 2-3 weeks.

8th March 2013

This morning was a ridiculous early start, my alarm was set for 3.30 A.M, the horses were even shocked to see me at 4 A.M! The plan was to gallop Virtuoso Rouge, Net Work Rouge, Vazaro Delafayette and Knight Of Noir at first light in Newbury, this would have allowed Sam to get back to his day job by 7.30 A.M. The lorry pulled out of the yard at 4.45 A.M only for Sam to ring at 5 A.M to say his car had blown up on the motorway. Not to worry, we would ride them in 2 lots. Arriving on the Berkshire downs in think fog was challenging enough, navigating 1.5 miles on the sweeping grass gallop was another matter. We did our best and at times were seriously disorientated, the horses had a good blow and we made the most of a bad situation.

On our return, all the other horses had routine canters on the woodchip . This evening, I mist sprayed the barn, stables, walker and lorry. A satisfying job accomplished. Charlie was walking around seeing the horses and having a chat. This rain can now clear off as I think we've enough until 23rd March, it can then start again as I have a race in mind for Trouble Digger at Ffos Las on 28th, my birthday - a long way to go, but I hope it will be worth it!

I did sit down this afternoon to watch a bit of racing, everyone being interviewed was either from William Hill, Corals or Ladbrokes, seriously boring! Would have been much better to interview trainers and jockeys to talk about their chances. Listening to bookmakers representatives in ill fitting suits and appalling ties is tedious. The horses have no idea what prices they are and I for one am not the slightest bit interested.

7th March 2013

Sam, thanks to Derek Thompson, now known as Simon was in. The Alflora gelding jumped 9 regulation fences for the first time and pleased Simon. Vazaro Delafayette, Knight of Noir, Gunner Road, Net Work Rouge, Virtuoso Rouge, Dark Tartan and Medieval Gateway all jumped 12 fences. Hopstings and Frankenstorm jumped poles in the school. It was a successful schooling morning and lunch was more enjoyable than normal. Bad days on schooling grounds can ruin at least 2 days for me. It was drilled into me from an early age the importance of correct schooling and when it goes wrong I get very frustrated and more angry than normal.

Hopefully, we have a feast of runners about to make their racecourse debut and sleep is becoming very disturbed.

Tilly has stayed late at school for tea and homework. I am now off to deal with Sholto and Panda, Sophie is off to collect Tilly. This weekend Sophie is going away, the children are going to their grandmother until Saturday night. After I've finished work I'll collect them. On Sunday, I will fill them all with sweets, coke and more E numbers then watch them wreck the house. Hopefully, Sophie will think long and hard about going away again.

6th March 2013

Routine canters for all except yesterdays workers. All seem to have taken it well. Max Ward was slighty wound up this morning by it all, we will have to feel out way with him.

Billy Biscuit was vetted and will be going into training with Alan King, Full Shift left yesterday and is now at Seven Barrows, he will be racing in green and gold from now on.

The rain hasn't arrived today and I now hope to gallop Vazaro Delafayette and Knight Of Noir on Friday. If the rain does arrive and the forecast is right Larkhill will be beautiful ground and we will take the pair of them there, otherwise they have entries at Chaddesley Corbett and Whitfield.

Ben Case telephoned to book in two home breds of David Allen's to be broken in, they will be arriving in the next day or two.

5th March 2013

Routine canters for most. Max Ward, Cestus, Sergeant Thunder and Medieval Gateway all went for an away gallop. All pleased me and their targets remain unchanged.

Last nights Cheltenham preview was informative if you like gambling, I like to have a bet on our horses when I fancy one but seldom gamble on others. I have learnt the hard way! Mick Fitz arrived late as he was travelling back from Ffos Las, when he did arrive he wasn't short of things to say. Johnathon Powell chaired the panel and his knowledge of horses and form is amazing. Nicky Henderson added some humour to it all, Simon Clare of Corals was typical of a bookmaker, pushing short priced horses until Mick Fitz stopped him in his tracks by highlighting that a favourite hadn't won a certain race for many many years, he looked uncomfortable for a moment! Noel Fehily is my type of guy, no nonsense and straight to the point with his opinions.

Thankfully, there are bits and pieces of rain forecast over the next few days, the ground is drying too fast and I am now panicking about that.

4th March 2013

Having had time to watch Major Martins' race again and digest it I am far from disappointed. I think he ran a creditable race and there is plenty to go forward with, he seems to have come out of the race well. His next race will be over 2 miles, I just hope the ground doesn't go on us. I have 5 or 6 young horses hoping to make their debut this month and fast ground will wreck it for a few of them. They are all in good order, this morning many had that Monday morning feeling, which, is music to any trainers ears. All had routine canters this morning, I am working backwards from proposed race dates and planning their work days accordingly.

Fergal O'Brien was here this morning loose schooling a Dylan Thomas horse off the flat, he will have no jumping issues and will be back again tomorrow and Wednesday. Ideally, 10 consecutive days of loose schooling is my recommended time frame, we don't live in an ideal world and Fergal needs to be working him at home too.

This evening I am going to a Cheltenham preview evening with my accountant at Oaksey House Lambourn. Oaksey house is an incredible facility, not only will I enjoy the evening I will be helping to support them. I'm sure we will all be subjected to more of Mick Fitzgerald's opinions than any other members of the panel!

2nd March 2013

All horses had routine canters before we headed off to Newbury. Major Martin didn't disgrace himself and will improve for the run. Jerry McGrath said he galloped all the way to the line and will be suited by a step up in trip, Jerry was very pleased with him and said he has the makings of a nice horse. It appeared to be a true run race and I am not disappointed. Jerry, rightly, wasn't hard on him and we will see how he comes out of the race before thinking about finding another race for him in 5 - 6 weeks. He's a progressive sort and I think he has made a satisfactory debut. Ultimately, a summer at grass will be of huge benefit to him.

1st March 2013

March already, frightening, where does the time go.

Dark Tartan, Alflora Gelding and Gunner Road all worked on the grass, I was pleasantly surprised how well the Alflora horse went, only last night I told the Wills' that I didn't think he was up to much, he looks like he's going to prove me wrong. Gunner Road and Dark Tartan also went well, Dark Tartan will definitely have an entry in the mares 2.5 mile maiden at Barbury and Gunner Road may also get an entry in the geldings 2.5 mile maiden, it may come a week too soon for him and I may take him to Upton On Severn over Easter where there's another 2.5 mile maiden.

The horses that galloped yesterday had a easy morning all others had routine canters. Anthony Webber was here late morning to go over a good few, he saw 11 and will follow up FOC in a fortnight.

Major Martin gets a run tomorrow at Newbury, he is well, how confident anyone can be going into a junior bumper I do not know. There are horses with flat pedigrees and trainer who have to be respected with whatever they are running. Miss Emer, Major Martins' dam had plenty of speed so I don't expect to be out of it.

This evening the Oxford Mail and Witney Gazette have been on the phone asking about Trouble Digger, I won't be telling Trouble Digger as he is already pleased enough with himself!