Friday 24th March

A 2nd and a 3rd from our two runners today – good efforts from Wemyss Point in the bumper at Musselburgh and Cavalieri in the 2m stayers handicap at Newcastle.  Wemyss was having his third bumper start for his Owners in The Green Oaks Partnership, and again stayed on well suggesting a more galloping track may suit but we came here today for the good ground – he has 2 seconds in bumpers now and he is eligible for one further bumper run.

Cavalieri had to make his own pace today which is certainly not ideal, and he was a sitting target for the in-form favourite, but he rallied when dropping to 4th and got back up cosily for 3rd by the post. A return to the grass now beckons and we hope he can transfer his form on to  it this year. Phil has a race at Redcar in mind for one of our yard favourites, he’s a really kind horse who we have had for quite a few years now.

We were lucky enough to have another visit from Yogi Breisner today and the top Olympic Event Coach gave our riders several hours of his time instructing them on technique, position and schooling. I have videoed the schooling session and it should be interesting viewing, especially seeing how 3 year old ‘What’s Up Walter’ took to jumping poles for the first time – he was clever and gained in confidence the more he did for Katie.

The Ownaracehorse and Topspec Partnership filly ‘Northern Girl’ did a nice piece of fast work today with

Suggestion, and Phil tells me she is on course for a bumper run at Market Rasen on Monday. It looks a very warm mares race but is first preference to split so hopefully that will dilute it. Market Rasen is a good track for Owners and we are sure she will give another good account of herself.

This is the unraced filly ‘Surtees’ who is a half sister to Agglestone Rock – it won’t be too many weeks before she makes her debut in a mares bumper, she is a big scopey 4 year old filly by Native Ruler  who is enjoying her work.

Phil was at the sales at Ascot ysterday and he said it was painful how many excellent value young chasing types there were with good point form and well bred, he would have liked to have brought plenty of them home. He  didn’t come back empty-handed though, he bought  smart 5 year old,   ‘Secret Glance’ who arrived this afternoon off an enormous C&C Horse Transport lorry, he is a winning flat gelding who gos on all sorts of ground and looks good value for his new Owners.