Thursday 19 January

Land League made his rules debut in Market Rasen yesterday, and we couldn't be happier with the way things went. He looked an absolute picture in the paddock, a real credit to Stuart and his team. Land League had run in 9 Irish Point to Points, so had plenty of racing experience, but this was his rules debut, and a chance to see what we are dealing with. He travelled to the races fine, and was relaxed to saddle. He came alive in the paddock, and was nicely on his toes - ready to get on with things. The race was run at a crawl, and he settled very nicely, he jumped well on the whole, just making a slight mistake at a couple. Brendan Powell was delighted with the run. He reported that LL wouldn't want the ground to be any softer, and that ideally better ground would suit. He also thought that the way the race was run at a dawdle certainly didn't help matters, and a stronger gallop over that trip would have been much better. In the end I am sure LL will end up being a really nice chaser, but he will learn his trade over hurdles before making the step up. He is a cracking prospect, and he will be taking his owners to some nice places in the future. He will be campaigned through the spring and summer, and I can already see some lovely summer evenings spent on racecourses, in our shirt sleeves, sipping a cold beer!! Those of you who remember Kikos, will recall the fun we had with him through the warmer months, and this fellow will be taking a similar route!! There are a few shares left in Land League, so if you would like to join in the fun, have a look at him on the For Sale Page, and get in touch (nickbrownracing@gmail.com or 07909 518902).