Barbury Castle

We had our first runners at Barbury Castle on Sunday and although they didn't trouble the judge I was pleased with how they both ran.

Lucky Hit finished 6th in the bumper. She travelled nicely in the race but got a little outpaced at the far side and then stayed on at the finish to be beaten about 12 lengths by the winner. She’s a lovely big mare who will need 3 miles in the future. She will be aimed at a maiden over 3miles in the new year. She was a pleasure to deal with at the course both before and after the race. Huw gave her a nice introduction to racing and we look forward to running her again.

Global Power enjoyed his first run of the season, he just needed it softer! He pulled up before the last but enjoyed himself which is the main thing and jumped well in a fast, competitive 17 runner race. He’s a grand old horse, and Guy will have fun with him this season in easier races.

We hope to have our next runners at Chaddesley Corbett on Friday 27th December where Global Power will run again and possibly new horse Delegate.

We will then head to Cottenham on Sunday 29th December with Youtoobonnylass, Bletchley Castle and Spectacular Rival.

Getting in the spirit

We have our first runners this weekend at Barbury Castle in Wiltshire where we hope to run Lucky Hit, You Too Bonny Lass and Global Power. Lucky Hit will run as she is in the 1st race and is a big strong mare that should handle soft ground ok. You Too Bonny Lass won't run if the ground is too soft but the softer the better for Global Power who seems to be in great form and is loving the rain!

We had our Christmas Party on Sunday night at The Castle Inn, Bletchley we all had to wear Christmas jumpers and luckily for a few of them Huw seems to have a collection.

I'll let you decide who had the best.

I am very lucky to have very good, reliable staff which I have fully learnt to appreciate these last few months, after breaking my arm from a kick in September I am still in plaster 3 months later and not due to go back to the hospital until 30th December so it has been a long road. Each person in the photo has played an important part over the last few months from riding out, driving me around to cooking the bacon and sausage sandwiches every Saturday for the owners and staff.

Schooling

It finally stopped raining for a few days last week so we could get in some schooling on the grass. We schooled Duke Arcadio, You Too Bonny Lass and Spectacular Rival (the video below) over the fences and a few youngsters over the barrels and pallets. They all jumped well. Hopefully it will stop raining again soon so we can get some more practice in before they start running in a couple of weeks.