Wednesday 26 August

Native Princess put in a superb display in Fontwell last night, to win on her hurdling debut. The five yr old daughter of Tobougg is a fast improving mare, having won on her previous outing in a bumper in Southwell back in June. Give a short mid summer break, she was ready to run last night, and had been schooling very well at home. Her fast work had also improved, so we went to Fontwell confident that she would run a big race if she handled the softer ground. Although only a three runner heat, the other two had hurdling experience in their favour, but it made no odds. NP travelled and jumped really well, only making half an error at the third. Paddy Brennan gave her a peach of a ride and kicked on at just the right time to take it up leaving the back straight. NP answered all of his calls and ran up the hill strongly to come out a comfortable winner in the end. The overwhelming feeling is the NP has won yesterday despite having a few things go against her. The slow early gallop was not in her favour, the soft ground was a bit of unknown, but she handled it OK, and she will strip a tad fitter for her next run. All in all we left there last night thinking that there is a deal more to come from her, and she remains a really exciting prospect. Paddy felt that she could win another novice hurdle with a penalty, and we will look for another race for her in about 3 weeks. She has come out of the race fine this morning, eaten up and had a day off. There is still a share for sale in her - now a winner of a bumper and a novice hurdle, she is getting quite a CV, and with her pedigree she will make a very valuable broodmare when her racing days are over! 07909 518902 for details. Last nights success was the 4th of the season for Stuart and his team, from a mere 15 runners, and we are proud to have supplied them with 3 of them. They are going at a 27% strike rate, and a big thankyou must go to everyone at Fences Farm. I think they have assembled a terrific team of horses for the coming season, and they are a yard to keep on the right side of. Honest, friendly, and good at the job sums them up - a great team to be involved with! The presenters on Attheraces last night were saying much the same, and is is great that the job they are doing is getting noticed - there are some lovely horses that have arrived over the summer - and they along with an already nice bunch of horses, could really put the small yard on the map!! Unfortunately one that will be a little longer in coming back to the racecourse is Bold Conquest, who has been suffering with a torn muscle for a week or so, today he went to the vets, and has had a bit of work done. He will now need a day or two of rest, and will unfortunately not make it to Uttoxeter on the 9th. This is a very minor set back, and he should be ready around a week or 10 days later than planned. He will be worth the wait. Cloonacool is likely to go to Lambourn in early September for an away day and a gallop with a workmate. This should put him spot on for a crack at the big handicap hurdle in Market Rasen at the end of that month. Smart Exit and San Telm are both doing two canters and are coming along great. SE took a while to get over his wind op, but is really coming together now! ST just thinks he's 4 again!! Christmas Twenty is still on course for Southwell next week, and continues to impress - another winner for the rookie trainer????