Freddy Fox hit the crossbar yesterday finishing 2nd 1/2 a length behind a horse with more experience. Sam had him in a great position throughout, he showed a little inexperience when they quicken down the back for the second time but after a little squeeze he was soon back in contention. Another 50 yards and he would have won as he was closing the gap with very stride after flying the last fence. Annoying as it is, it was a great run and he will be hard to beat next time. He has come out of the race very well.
Chiquilline has also come out of his race in good order, I have pencilled in 9th March at Warwick for him.
On Sunday, Richard Rabbit, Saint Charles and Cavite Epsilon have entries at North Carlton. The short maiden only has 24 odd entries and I find it hard to believe they will divide on the day. I am kicking myself for not putting one in the 3 mile maiden. The ground is currently good and 2 of the aforementioned will certainly run should they work well this week. I will decide which maiden to take after they've galloped tomorrow. It maybe that the 2 of them get on the box in case they do divide - stranger things happen! The maiden at Badbury Rings is for 5 year olds and over, quite what that is achieving for anyone I don't know.
Heather Haddock and Neal Griffiths were here today to see Max Ward who may start in a maiden hurdle at Huntingdon in a couple of weeks time. This morning we schooled Richard Rabbit, Cavite Epsilon, Saint Charles and an unnamed horse by Apple Tree. The rest had canters on the wood-chip and some jumped in the school.
