Thursday january 9th

It was incredibly wet last night and our land at Castleton is getting pretty soggy – although It seems to be pretty much everywhere with meetings up and down the country being abandoned. Lady heidi still enjoyed her spin out alongside Jawaab in the next paddock, he is having a couple of days off after a busy period and he is happy outdoors next to his classy girlfriend. I am currently loading a video taken today at Dibble Bridge so look back in later.

Remembering warmer Spring days, here is a photo from a couple of years ago, shows Sarah on Simply Smashing and Phil on Amazing King – it shows the beauty of the moors up at Castleton and what fantastic hacking we have up here.

At least we are pretty sure of W’hampton being on tomorrow , so can look forward to seeing Stormy Morning back from his long lay-off. He may even only face 4 other runners as one of the field ran today and is not set to turn out again 24 hours later (it didnt win). We are not expecting too much, back safe and sound is number one priority and he is looking a good bet to pick up some prizemoney and pay for his journey out.

We can hope for another winner at Sedgefield however, but it has to be on yet, the ground is currently heavy but it has been dry all afternoon and looks like being dry tomorrow. Moscow Presents is attempting to double up following his Haydock win, this could come soon enough but he has to take his chance being 7lbs well in. There are a couple of tricky ones in it all running under a penalty, the 13-8fav hacked up at Fakenham by 34lengths over new year. We are very keen to get win no.1 for the year following several frustrating seconds.

Factor Fifty was schooled  this morning by Adam Nicol, he still requires another session or two before he runs, Phil likes to make sure they are well tuned up for their first experience as its always  harder at speed in a race with 15 others round them. Triple Eight is also being schooled ahead of  a belated hurdles debut.

Phil was riding Agglestone Rock out today, and he has been back in ridden work a week now. Everything is crossed that he can get back to race again, he has so much unfulfilled potential but he is 9 years old now and his legs are not as good as his body. You can see Phil sat on him in this shadow, he is taking the photo of the now 2 year old ‘Esk Valley Lady’ hacking out. Aggie has won 8 races for us and his close 3rd last winter at Musselburgh to subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner, Salubrious, is red hot and shows he retains all his ability.

Back at Dibble Bridge , i was busy taking some photos once the sun came out. In the foreground here is  the handsome chestnut, ‘Prince’ (as yet un-named but we are liking the name ‘Feeling Fine’ ) he is by Rainwatch out of Show Potential who is out of Newbury Mares Final winner, ‘Cool Spring’. Show Potential is half sister to the good staying chaser, WELL REFRESHED. Prince is a good looking 16.1hh 4 year old who has done his roadwork at Dibble and is off to Middleham tomorrow to exercise with the big boys. He will be for sale and can be viewed cantering up there in a couple of weeks once he has learned what the gallops are all about.

Following behind him in a couple of weeks will be the newly named gelding ‘Dibble Bridge’ (great name Mr Fletcher!), he is now owned by one of our luckiest owners, Colin Fletcher and we hope that he has many more wins to come with this big strong 3 year old. Ginge, as he is known at home, is a really nice character, and looks to be a flat and hurdles prospect.

Also doing roadwork at Dibble is the bumper winning mare ‘Noir Girl’ who has thrived for an Autumn break and has matured nicely. She was clipped yesterday and has been no bother as she gets to knows the moors round Castleton – and a lot of woolly sheep to pass by.