Thursday 26 January

The final pieces of the jigsaw have gone into place for Colebrookes run in the Grade 2 Finesse hurdle in Cheltenham on Saturday. He will undergo a routine scope this morning to confirm that he is 100%, he seems in such rude health there should be no problem, but as we saw with little Grassfinch on Tuesday, sometimes they can be in great form at home, but actually be carrying a little bug, so the scope will ensure that he is A1 for the biggest test of his career to date! We did have a slight hiccup with jockeys yesterday, young Brendan Powell had given Colebrooke such a good ride at Sandown he was hard to overlook, but it was felt that we would be better off securing the services of an experienced jock at this level. Brendan would be unable to claim his valuable 5lbs in the race as well, so we tried to get the services of Jamie Moore who had ridden him 3 times previously, but unfotunately for us, he had to go to Doncaster for his father Gary. We then enquired about A P McCoy who returns from injury today, but he is off to Donny as well, Sam had 3 rides at Donny, including one in the Skybet Chase, so he was unavailable, so we had to have a rethink a bit quick. I am pleased to say that Noel Fehily has taken the ride, Noel is a top jockey, and was the go to man for Paul Nicholls when Ruby was off last year, and his style looks sure to suit our little man. We hope he gets a good spin off of him!