Wednesday 1 February

Is there a collective noun for fillies finishing second in bumpers - answers on a postcard! Whatever it is - Stuart is good at it, with second places for Molly Childers, (twice), Maria's Benefit, and now Grey Warbler. Grey warbler ran a cracker yesterday to be second against the boys in Southwell - the winner being well regarded and earning a 20/1 quote for the Cheltenham Bumper, she was making her debut, and will surely improve for the run, so, like the other two looks like a smashing prospect! She could well be aimed at the Listed race in Sandown, which is the target for Molly Childers. Molly is in fine fettle and worked really well yesterday. It was good to see John Bartlett, and John Horgan this morning - in at Fences Farm to see their horses, although JB didn't as his boy Sneaking Budge is out in the field. JH got to see Apasionado stride out nicely. Also out this morning were Chandos Belle, who seems to be back on song, and will work on Saturday after which we will probably be looking for entries for her - Land League, who actually worked yesterday, and Stuart said that he worked very well - we have a race in Towcester on the 15th, but will monitor the ground there, as it is currently heavy. Cloonacool also had a canter off the top, with the youngsters, who already look to have benefitted from their easier spell in the last few days. Maria's Benefit is in fine form and will run later this month/early March. The plans regarding the replacement for Sneaking Budge have been finalised, and Tricky Silence should be arriving on Friday. This 5 yr old has been kindly loaned to us by Michael Kehoe and Jamie Goss, and will stay at Fences Farm until the end of the season. He is a super looking individual, by Whitmores Conn (Sire of Rolling Aces), out of a mare (No Sound) who was a winner over hurdles in Ireland, and on the flat in France. His full sister Robyn Belle, was placed in an Irish Point to Point, and a bumper, but was sadly ill fated. We are very grateful to Michael and Jamie for giving us the chance to have him, and go and enjoy some days at the sports with him. He is fit and ready to run in a month or so.