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.
