Thursday 26 January

I have spent the last two days at the Goffs Uk January Sales, overlooking the stretch of the home straight between the home turn and the first fence in the home straight. Yesterday morning a team were out there laying frost covers - I can vouch for the fact that it was cold!! The ground up there looked in good shape, and with the weather forecast giving things a bit warmer at the weekend we have decided to send Cloonacool to Doncaster. Stuart, who was also up at Doncaster yesterday, and I, discussed it, and felt that the correct option was to run at the first place that firstly, was definitely going to be on, and secondly, provide a sound surface. Now Musselburgh in a weeks time could be good ground, and a lovely sunny day, but it could also be off, so we have plumped for Doncaster. It will be the first time that Cloonacool has gone left handed for a while, but we need to try him at it, and we will learn a lot from it. Brendan Powell will ride. Maria's Benefit will also head up to Doncaster on Saturday for the Mares Bumper. She is owned by Paul Wells, and it will be his first time out as an owner - Maria is a lovely filly, and we wish him well.