Tuesday 13 March

We have had to press the pause button with Omaruru for a day or two. Yesterday morning he was found to have a warm foot, which is the usual sign of an infection in his foot. This is a very minor set back that will keep him off games for just a couple of days, but the timing could not be worse with his long awaited return scheduled for the end of the week. Omar was sound enough to go out to exercise yesterday morning, but was slightly lame by the time the farrier got to him at lunchtime. His thorough investigation found the site of infection and he dealt with it, but the after care schedule of regular 'tubbing' to remove the infection from the foot means he cannot have his shoe replaced for a few days so he will miss his targets at Towcester on Thursday, and Uttoxeter on Saturday. The good news is that this is only a very minor problem, indeed he is sound again this morning, and he should be on the go again by the end of the week. There are 2 possible races for him at Haydock (21st) and Newbury (24th) next week. Two travelled to Plumpton yesterday. Smart Exit was always going to struggle with the trip, track and ground, but he ran well nonetheless to finish fifth. We had to take our chance there yesterday as the forecast looks like it is dry for the rest of the month, and he needed another run for experience. He is likely to tick over for a week or ten days and then go on his holidays. He will return next season a bigger and stronger horse, and after a wind op will be campaigned in novice chases. Honeycreeper did just that - creep. She is not the quickest and is starting to struggle. Another occupation becons for her I think.Colebrooke has been declared to run in Cheltenham tomorrow in The Fred Winter. It is a big ask for him, but he is fit and well and deserves to take his chance.Jamie Moore is reunited with him as 'Plan A', Brendan Powell Jnr has been claimed by his father after AP switched to JP Mcmanus horse Sportsmaster. Hopefully he will be staying on up the hill! San Telm has an entry in Fakenham on Friday.