Thursday 17 November

A sad day yesterday - when we had to say goodbye to a dear old friend - Bold Conquest, after he sustained a fractured hind leg in Chepstow. Bob was a little star - a true gentleman - a horse you could have in your living room. He always gave of his best, and although no superstar, he had a rating of 114, and gave his loyal owners so much fun. He will be a great loss to the yard. These incidents are rare, and one can never get used to them, all the team at Fences Farm will be quieter this morning, as they see an empty stable, and our thoughts go out to them - a tight knit team that care so much for the horses in their care. Thoughts too, with his owners - who have enjoyed having him as part if their lives. I have to say what a fantastic job the veterinary staff at Chepstow did. They were very swift in their assessment and actions - and also huge thanks to Brendan Powell, who was also very quick to realise what had happened and pulled Bob up very quickly - actions that certainly minimized his suffering. RIP Bob. As ever we have to look to the future, without forgetting the past, and I am already in the process of trying to secure another horse, so for those that wish to, there will be further opportunities in the near future. Chandos Belle is entered in Chelmsford on Monday. A 2m heat, it will be the furthest she has ever gone, but that will be the trip she will be running over when she goes hurdling, so it is a chance to see how she settles without 8 flights of hurdles to negotiate. It also give Stuart and his team a chance to assess how she behaves at the races - without the added pressure of making her hurdling debut. She works well, and we are looking forward to getting going with her. Molly Childers is in fine form, she has now done 2 very pleasing pieces of work, and her blood count yesterday was back to normal. Today she will be entered for a mares bumper in Wetherby next week. She looks to be an exciting filly, and another one I am keen to see on the racecourse. The vet had a good examination of Sneaking Budges leg yesterday morning, on his way back from The Elms, where he gelded the Mamool yearling (our thoughts are with him this morning (typed with crossed legs)), he has diagnosed that SB has pulled a muscle in his forearm, and that there is no serious damage to a tendon. SB will be on light exercise until the swelling has subsided after which he will resume full duties. The time scale is thought not to be too long, a week, maybe two of easy work should see him back up to speed. Cloonacool seems back on song and gets to go quicker again in the next few days - when he has done that we will look for races for him. Apasionado is in fine fettle, and will go quicker at the weekend. We discussed plans with Josh yesterday, and decided that he would have an entry in the Winter Novices Hurdle in Sandown on December 2nd over 2m 4f, and the Kennel Gate Novices Hurdle in Ascot on December 16th. Josh feels that 2m 4f is within his compass, but we would not try that trip on anything softer than Good To Soft, so if Sandown came up soft we would skip there to go to Ascot. Over the 2m trip in Ascot we would be willing to try him on a soft surface, and only Heavy ground would prevent him running there. He has been given a rating of 134 by the BHA Handicapper, so he obviously likes him as much as we do! The three year olds are all cantering - more about them tomorrow.