Following a couple of dry days we are now preparing for Storm Christoph and what it brings with it. Plenty of mud around in the fields which at least the horses enjoy for their roll but not the staff who have to clean them up afterwards.

The following horses have run over the last few days:

Some Finish went to Leicester following a wind operation.  He decided very early on that he was not keen and Lorcan pulled him up. The time has come to find Sam a new discipline as it appears that he has fallen out of love with racing. He has been with us for 6 years and won 5 races during that time.

Off to Warwick with three on Saturday for one of their biggest meetings of the year but very different with no spectators or owners.

Warwick doing a good job under the current restrictions, and stable & ground staff alike all being respectful of social distancing/mask wearing etc etc. I did seem someone whinging on social media about people not wearing masks but think they must have been outside the course as everyone we saw were doing it all correctly. Much, much nicer place to be than in a shop!

Black Kalarosa (Tabitha) (BTO for Reggie) ran in the first race on the card and ran nicely to finish sixth in ground not in her favour – down 5lbs for the run, she will be much happier on a sounder surface & probably ½ mile further

Fitz Well (Lorcan) and Glen Mooar (Jack) - both needing a third run for a handicap mark, ran against each other in the very competitive Grade 2 novices hurdle.

Fitz Well ran up with the pace, skipping along and jumping like stag, but stopped quickly half way down the back straight – possibly a wind issue with him as he stopped so quickly.

Glen Mooar was held up and although he made a couple of jumping errors he was still with the field as they entered the straight. He stayed on and was not beaten that far by a horse who is now fancied for the Cheltenham Festival. Both got their rating yesterday – 105 & 110 respectively. Pretty harsh for Fitz Well and Glen Mooar paying the price for only being beaten 20 lengths by a 137 horse!

It’s so hard to make plans at the moment as there is so much balloting – especially with the lower rated horses. There has been much talk of increasing opportunities for these horses, but sadly still not enough being done. They make up such a large part of the everyday racing, and are many trainers bread & butter, and many owners pride & joy. It’s not all about the super stars, and racing would be pretty dull if we relied only on seeing the festival horses out every day.

Of course we are all looking and hoping for the next Arkle, but there is much enjoyment to be had from the lesser lights too & the powers that be need to remember that when race planning.

A good example would be little Galactic Power who now runs for our Racing Club. Pulled up in two Irish points – he was given to us when I went to pick up some other youngsters that we had bought from the Monbeg team in Co Wexford. He is now the winner of 5 hurdle races (albeit at a low grade) and has given many of us a lot of fun. He was second at Ludlow before Christmas – running a stormer, but I have lost count of how many times we have been balloted since. He is entered later in the week but will likely get balloted yet again. Very frustrating for all connections and so hard making plans with his work to keep staying at home.

Scorched Earth off to Southwell later today – still trying to find the key to him!

Currently pouring with rain so hoping that the lorry will be able to get out by lunchtime!