Monday 17 March

Unfortunately the following news will be a bitter blow to Club members. Dawn Commander will miss his intended engagement at Aintrees' Grand National meeting. Stuart has not been 100% happy with him for a few days, and booked the vet to come in and scope him and others this morning. Unfortunately DC did not scope clean, and this mucky scope had caused a very slight bleed. He will have a course of strong antibiotics that should clear him up, and in the meantime will have a week or so off in the field to get some fresh air into his lungs and some fresh grass in his belly. Sadly this enforced period of 'down time' will mean that he will not be ready to go to Liverpool. A real shame as i know how much everyone was looking forward to going to one of the big spring festivals as an owner, but if we do the right thing now, there should be plenty of big meetings to go to with him in the future! Benefit Cut scoped OK and Smart Exit was as clean as a whistle, but unfortunately I think the ground will be too quick for him on Wednesday - after a bit of rain later this week, it could be that he goes to Fontwell next week.