29th October, 2010

Another busy day schooling horses this morning thanks to the help of Sean Quinlan and Tom Siddall. All went to plan and very much looking forward to having runners next week. Rob Hill who has a share in Giovanna and Mr Tingle, came to see them go through their paces.

It was the first schooling morning for stable lad James Harding. Many of you who have visited the hard will know James as he can be very charming and chatty. He is very keen and enthusiastic and a natural sportsman who hadn't sat on a horse until going to the British Racing School . He had a good school master in Stop The Show and I think they both enjoyed themselves.

Newmarket Sales were frustrating, not just for myself but for many trainers as there were very few suitable horses and the ones that were there, fetched more than their value. However the sale is always a good time to catch up with people, including George Smith who supplies our horsebox, Andrew Chalk my solicitor and many others.

I always stay with Sharron Murgatroyd on my Newmarket visits. As many of you will know Sharron is a tetraplegic and a remarkable human being and it is always great to catch up with her. She takes great delight in organising our annual Christmas lunch which we have been doing now for some 15 years. Attendees include Gee Bradburne, Francome, Smith-Eccles and Timeform Jim McGrath. This year I am in charge of the quiz and one thing is guaranteed, Smith-Eccles will finish last.

Today's horse in focus is Mick's Dancer. He was purchased from William Muir's yard following success on the flat, landing him a handicap mark of 80. He was due to make his hurdling debut last season before gaining a stress fracture of his hind canon bone. Following a good summers rest, he is now due to make his hurdling debut at Huntingdon on the 10 th November and is working and schooling well. He is owned by the PMT Partnership, Palfreyman, Meany and Throssell who had shares in Dark n Sharp. Let's hope he brings the partnership as much success.

27th October, 2010

A busy work morning at Adlestrop with most of the string doing half speeds. Had visits from Tot Calver and Charlie Allen this morning. Charlie saw his bumper horse Upper Deck work well. Hopefully he will be going to Market Rasen on the 14 th . He also has a share in Tiger Line who hopefully runs at Chepstow on Wednesday.

After watching work, I set off for Newmarket Horses In Training sales and have a number of interesting lots to view today and tomorrow.

Like most people who do my job, I am not the best of sleepers but was delighted to wake up at 3am this morning to watch one of my favourite films, A Man For All Seasons. Could do with a few more like Sir Thomas More.

As ever on car journeys I catch up with my phone calls and am constantly on my mobile to and from venues at this time of year. It is literally the only chance trainers have of catching up on their office work.

Today's horse is Lucky Sunny. He was purchased at the Cheltenham sales as a four year old. He always showed promise and would have run as a five year old but for pulling some muscles in his hind quarters. He made an impressive debut in a bumper at Uttoxeter last December and followed up with a game third carrying a penalty on New Years Eve.

On his hurdling debut, he ran on some desperate ground over too short a trip and came back not quite himself so had excuses. He has been purchased by Suzanne and Nigel Williams and will be making his seasonal debut in November in either a 2 or 2½ mile novice hurdle. He is a real character who definitely has ‘vain' tendencies and is a bit of a show off and we look forward to him showing off more of his talent this winter.

26th October, 2010

A very busy morning at Adlestrop with most of the string being schooled over hurdles or fences. Warren Marson, Tom Siddall and Sean Quinlan all came in to do the honours. There is a real buzz about the yard with the season about to start for real now the rain has appeared.

We have now started entering a few horses for next week including Pak Jack in the novice hurdle at Kempton on Monday. It is the race he came second in last year, before running such a cracker at Aintree and hopefully the ground will be safe on Monday

We had a welcome visit from Nick Burgess this morning. Nick has a share in King Jack and Mr Tingle and is a great supporter of the yard. He helps run the local Chadlington village shop and amongst his customers include the Prime Minister. Nick is a great supporter and loves his racing and looks as though he has two horses to go to war with this season.

Last night Gordy and I were invited to the West Berkshire Racing Club National Hunt Preview. They are a great club and we always support their racing quiz in January. Fellow trainer Jamie Snowden and Emily Jones of Attheraces were also on the panel. We all discussed prospects for the season ahead for our own yard as well as some of the big races coming up.

Great Endeavour and Sunnyhill Boy appear to be the fancies for the Paddy Power at Cheltenham on the 13 th November. Whilst Long Run is the only horse with a chance of beating Kauto Star in the King George at Kempton. Nicky Henderson should be champion trainer this year with such a quality string, whilst it was interesting to hear that both What A Friend and Master Minded have both had wind operations in the Paul Nicholls yard. For what it's worth What A Friend appears to be the value Gold Cup tip and all the panel were impressed with Cue Card's debut over hurdles at the weekend.

Today's horse in focus is King Jack. He was purchased as a four year old at Doncaster May Sales for 13,000 guineas. He won his bumper first time out and ran a cracking race to be fourth in the Doncaster Sales bumper at Newbury as a five year old, beaten two lengths giving seven pounds to Diamond Harry. He proceeded to win over hurdles both at Kempton and Wetherby and won over fences at Huntingdon for us last season. His owners are both patient and fun and he appears in good form this autumn and hopefully will be making his seasonal debut in the next couple of weeks. Any trip between 2 ½ and an easy 3 miles will suit and he may wear cheek pieces to help him concentrate.

25th October, 2010


It has been all go over the weekend at Adlestrop. We had a good work morning on Saturday with most of the string going through their paces at half speed and we look ready to have runners next week as long as the rains come .

Yesterday morning as we had rain on Saturday, we were able to get on the schooling ground and thanks to Sean Quinlan, Warren Marston and Andrew Tinkler, we were able to school some of the string over hurdles and fences.

Following this it was busy with owners for most of the morning and afternoon and it is great they are so enthusiastic with the season about to start.

In the evening, Barnsy, Jo and myself were invited to Les and Linda Tomlins for supper. We provided the lamb thanks to payment for use of the gallops and Linda is a great cook and her lemon meringue pie comes highly recommended.

A beautiful frosty morning in Adlestrop. We were able to welcome Louise Cann and her sister for a morning on the gallops which her husband had bought under the influence at a charity auction last year. Luckily Alice, Louise's daughter was in attendance and most of the morning was spent trying to persuade Louise she should have a share in Thornton Alice who we are at present syndicating.

Later on in the morning we had a visit from Les Tomlin who came to see Bobby Donald canter, whilst Alistair Down popped in to borrow yesterday's Racing Post. Alistair lives locally and is always entertaining and it is always good to catch up.

Today's horse in focus is Just Benny. He is a five year old by Beneficial who was purchased through Brian Murphy in Ireland as a three year old. He was educated in a point to point last season and has come to us to run in a bumper hopefully in mid November. His homework is good and he looks very much a chaser in the making. He is owned by Richard Styles and Stuart Prior who owned Sycho Fred with us in the past. Hopefully he will be able to make his mark this National Hunt season now he has had time to mature.

22nd October, 2010

A busy morning on the gallops with plenty going on and lots of visitors. First lot we had the Anderson family who had purchased a morning on the gallops with us at a charity auction in London . Mike is a former managing director of the Evening Standard, The Sun and The News Of The World. It is always nice to show people around Adlestrop who have not visited before. Especially when they show an interest in having a share in a horse.

Third lot, Pauline and David Mason came to see their four year old bumper horse, Naranga go through his paces. Pauline delivered a very tasty ginger cake as well which delighted all.

Late morning, we were delighted to welcome David and Claire Codd who came to see Dark n Sharp. ‘Darky' is now retired and lives in the middle of Adlestrop for most of the summer where we can keep a good eye on him. Soon he will be coming in and if he is lucky the trainer will be sitting on him a bit this winter.

David headed the syndicate that owned Dark n Sharp who was an absolute star for the yard with many victories over hurdles and fences to go along with his places at the Cheltenham Festival. He is now 15 and still looks a class act.

Lunch time was spent reminiscing with Dave and Claire at The Horse and Groom. We were also joined by Jo, Gordy and Barnsy and thanks to the usual Codd generosity, we were not allowed to open our wallets.

Looking forward to a good weekend of working the horses and praying for rain so that we can school them further to get on them on the track from the first week of November onwards.

Today's horse is Jerica. She is a four year old half sister to Splendid Thyne, His Nibbs and Return Ticket. The latter winning for us in the colours of the Welch's. She is a home bred by St Leger winner Bolin Eric and came to us in the spring for a bit of education before returning home late summer. She is at present cantering and hopefully will be doing some faster work over the next month or two with the prospect of running after Christmas. It would be great to get a win out of her as she is one of the last of the line.

This morning was business as usual on the gallops. Most horses had an easy morning following Wednesday's work. Sean Quinlan came in to school Great Hero over hurdles and he jumped nicely. Great Hero ran very well in a bumper at Uttoxeter in the summer and hopefully be making his hurdling debut soon once we have a bit of rain.

Last night I was fortunate to be invited by Jilly Cooper to a splendid dinner at her bank, Hoare & Co in Fleet Street. They put on a dinner to celebrate the launch of Jilly's new novel, Jump which as many of you will know mentions yours truly at the beginning of chapter 143. Jo, Gordy and myself were delighted to help with her research for her best seller.

Among the guests were Andrew Parker Bowles and Eva Rice. Eva is the daughter of Tim and I have known her for many years. She is at present producing a musical based on one of Jilly's books, Harriet. Paul O'Grady was also present and he and Jilly share a great love of animals. Paul lives near Romney Marsh and is a cross between Noah and Dr Doolittle when it comes to collecting animals. He even has a pet owl called Minnie who sits on his ironing board.

Today's horse is Great Hero. Bred by John and Pat Cantrill, he was a backward four year old who had one run on soft ground for experience. However he improved greatly for a break and came second in his bumper at Uttoxeter before pulling too hard at Hereford . He will make his hurdling debut shortly having schooled well and certainly has the scope to jump a fence. Although he does not appreciate very soft ground, he looks like a horse that should be winning plenty of races over hurdles and fences for the Cantrills.

We were able to get a lot of horses off the ground today on the schooling ground thanks to some rain and not too much frost. Clipping is also underway now their winter coats are coming through.

Later in the morning we had a visit from the Lansbury and McCarthy families. They own unraced five year old Motou with us and saw him go through his paces. The partnership includes Jeff McCarthy and Geoff Lansbury who had Noble Lord with us. Also Geoff's mother and sister are involved. Peggy Lansbury is a very spritely 93 years old and owned Lindsay with us a couple of seasons ago, whilst Kay is a retired vicar who now lives in Cyprus . With God on our side, let's hope Motou will be winning for us.

Guess what, it was off to the Horse and Groom for lunch afterwards and apparently a visit to Daylesford on the way home. Which according to the Geoffs may end up more expensive than the horse.

Today's horse is Giovanna. She has won seven races for us in bumpers and hurdles. she was purchased as a foal and won two bumpers before narrowly missing out on some black type when fourth in a listed bumper at Aintree. She has been consistent over hurdles but thanks to two wins last season, the handicapper put her up over a stone. She is now down to a winning weight and once she has got over her bruised foot, will be running for us in November. She likes a trip these days and ground that is not too soft and hopefully she can get back to winning ways before becoming a broodmare next year.

Whenever's wind probably now needs attention and therefore he may well have an operation before coming back next spring on his favourite ground. Although there have been showers this evening in Adlestrop, we still need more rain so that we can school the horses before they start running at the beginning of November.

I had a pleasant day at Plumpton yesterday seeing some old friends at the Moorcroft lunch. Yet another rehabilitation home for racehorses, but their work is vital to keep those horrible animal rights people at bay. I helped out with auction where Josh Gifford kindly bid for a two week stay at Julian Wilson's house in Cape Town . Julian has kindly said he would stay in the house to make it seem like a month.

Pleased my mother by popping in to see her on the way home. She did her favourite thing, which is feeding me. You would think she would have enough to look after living next door to ten grand children. She will be 90 next year and would be a great stand up comic if she could stand up.

This morning we worked some horses and Sean Quinlan came in to help out. Normally we work on a Wednesday but in order to get the horses clipped this week, we have divided our days up.

Sue Welch came to see her filly Jerica canter late morning. She is a half sister to Return Ticket, a winner for us few seasons ago. Also she is a half sister to the very useful His Nibbs and Splendid Thyne so it would be nice to get a win out of her as she is one of the last of the line. Just in case you thought I was missing out, Sue and I went for lunch at The Horse & Groom. Sue loves her chocolate and very much enjoyed her chocolate and hazelnut brownie.

News is that Wayne Rooney wants to leave Man Utd. Ironic that the headline is about an attacker instead of the country's defence. Had my haircut this afternoon and my barber said that as a Man Utd fan, if Rooney went to Man City he would be shot. Here's hoping.

Today's horse is Good For Blue. Purchased as a four year old at Doncaster May sales for 3000 guineas, he was bought by Eustace and Carol Theodore and Karen Anderson as a five year old. Showing promise in bumpers, he won nicely at Huntingdon last season and has strengthened up this summer. He would like any trip between 2 ½ and 3 miles and will start off handicap hurdling but the option of chasing is there at a later stage this season.

A very busy weekend as ever. The Adlestrop Club's general knowledge quiz was a great success on Friday evening. The winning team was Charlie and James Allan, along with Gordy, Rick Allen and Little Al.

Their winning prize of a Cadburys selection box, obviously didn't last long in that company. If you are ever looking for a team member for a quiz, I recommend you get Charlie Allan if available.

The fish and chips went down very well, again provided by Greedys in Stow on the Wold, whilst Tony Ashall generously bought the auction item of Sunday lunch for four at the Horse and Groom in Oddington.

Saturday morning we had a bigger crowd than Cheltenham on the gallops and it was great to see everyone's enthusiasm for the start of the season. All we need now is a bit of rain. Penshurst Lad's run at Catterick lacked a bit of enthusiasm, however I am sure he needs to be ridden more prominently and we will put the run down to circumstances.

Yesterday was a catch up in the office, planning the week ahead. This included a visit from Suzanne and Nigel Williams who came to see their string on their way home to Scotland .

I am now on my way to Plumpton to see Whenever run in the 4.50pm. He won at this meeting last year but this race is a mile further than he won over. A thorough stayer on the flat, hopefully he will cope the extra distance. The ground should suit and with the application of a tongue strap and Richard Johnson onboard, we are hopeful of a good run.

Today's horse is Father Martin who was purchased as a yearling in Ireland . He has done nothing but grow since we have had him and has had some immaturity issues which has led him to have time out in the field this summer. He will shortly be coming back into training and hopefully will develop into a bumper horse for the spring. He is named after Martin and Sue Harvey's friend, who is a parish priest in Chalfont St Peter. Father Martin has been blessed by his namesake and let us hope he returns the favour by winning at a decent price when the collection is on.

Rapid Return ran at Wincanton today. He travelled and jumped well before getting tired turning for home. He has had his problems with his wind in the past but this is a pleasing come back and we will hopefully follow up in a few weeks time in either a hurdle or a chase. Whenever has been entered at Cheltenham over the weekend but unless the race cuts up, we will probably head for Plumpton on Monday. He won at the course last year and hopefully the ground will suit. He will probably wear a tongue tie for the first time which I am hoping will help him.

I was told a story this week that amused me about Woodrow Wyatt. For those of you who didn't know, he was chairman of the Tote for many years and was a great favourite of Margaret Thatcher. Lord Wyatt visiting the Arc one year and at the hotel a receptionist asked the gentleman's name. “Wyatt,” was the reply.

“Sorry monsieur?” asked the receptionist.

“Wyatt.”

The receptionist was still unable to gather Woodrow's surname as his inevitable cigar was placed solidly in his mouth. The French receptionist had one more go,

“Your name again?” he said to which Woodrow replied,

“Wyatt, W for Waterloo , Y for Yeats, A for Agincourt , T for Trafalgar, T for Trafalgar.”

Today's horse is Fair breeze who is a homebred three year old and half sister to our multiple winner Gentle Guru. She is owned by The Flying Tiger Partnership who owned amongst others, Averted View with us. A weak two year old, she did not race until she was three however she has shown promise in her three runs and will hopefully strengthen up as a four year old. She would ideally like some cut in the ground and seven furlongs seems to be her trip. She will be brought back for the spring when hopefully there will be some suitable ground and she can continue the excellent record of her mother, Soft Touch.

Fair Breeze ran as expected at Windsor yesterday. She has now had three runs and hopefully she will have an attractive handicap mark. She will undoubtedly improve for a winters break and she will come back in the spring on some softer ground and should be winning for us over seven furlongs.

Rapid Return is not declared for Uttoxeter tomorrow as he really does need top of the ground. Although it is drying out at the track, it will still be like riding on Christmas pudding. We will consider Wincanton on Thursday.

I was kindly invited by David Bradshaw from SIS to play in the Tristram Ricketts golf day at Sunningdale. The event was in memory of Tristram Ricketts who was a good friend and one of the most popular administrators racing has seen. He sadly died three years ago but his memory is continued by raising money for the Spinal Injuries Association, a cause he greatly believed in.

The event was organised by Paul Roy and many of the great and good attended. Including Mick Fitzgerald who describes Sunningdale as one of the best courses in the world and having played it for the first time, I tend to agree. There was very little between Nicky Henderson and I as we both got the same pathetic number of points. Our team didn't fair much better. Mike Cattermole scored even less than myself.

Richard Hughes won the individual competition thanks to a days holiday given to him by the BHA – his winning prize was yet another holiday but this time in Spain . Jim McGrath's team The Northern Alliance, not only did they not play well but unfortunately Jim lost his car keys on the way round and is at present contemplating the walk back to Halifax .

Today's horse is Eastwell Smiles. He finally lost his maiden tag this summer at Bangor ridden by Richard Johnson. He was previously owned by Turloo Parrett who had many placings with him on the flat and over hurdles. He is now owned by Martin and Sue Harvey and hit the press thanks to his last run when he got loose coming out of the paddock and ended up in a ditch. It took two fire engines, two hours to get him out. However he seems fine now and he will be running again for us, probably in selling or claiming company in the next few weeks. Hopefully he can add to our seasons tally again before the winter sets in.

11th October, 2010 

Eustace and Carol Theodore, our American owners arrived on Friday for a weeks visit. Following seeing their horses at evening stables on Friday, they kindly treated me to supper in the evening along with their friends and fellow owners Oliver and Amanda Langdale.

On Saturday we had a host of owners, including Eustace, Carol and Graham their son. The work morning went well and we will have the bulk of our first runners at the beginning of November. If you are wondering why they are not ready earlier, we aim for this time of year as it is more likely to have cut in the ground. So often you can have them ready for the first week in October but then have to wait with them until there is some cut in the ground. It looks like being a dry week and this proves the point.

On Sunday again we had a few visitors including Keith and Irene Rogers. Keith and Irene have had shares in our horses for many years including Laazim Afooz and Carnoustie. Hopefully they will be getting involved in a couple of interesting syndicates we are setting up and we are hoping ofr a lot of fun and success this season.

This morning we had more visitors, including Camilla and Chris, members of The Squashed Club who have leased Pezula this season. Also Martin Newman and Ruth Pretty who have a share in Tiger Line. They saw their horses go through their paces on a beautiful morning in Adlestrop.

The X Factor has begun. As many of you will know I am an expert on the subject. My five to follow are, Mary, Treyc, Aiden, Matt and One Direction. Too early to pick the winner but Mary could do a Susan Boyle and come second in the Final.

Today's horse is Drussell. He was purchased at the Doncaster May sales for Walid and Paula Marzouk. He has won on the all weather on the flat and won two novice hurdles last season and is rated 125. He is by the same sire as Giovanna in Orpen, and horses by him tend to be tough types. He will be running over 2 ½ miles plus in handicap hurdles this season and being a four year old, will hopefully improve with time. Although not the biggest, hopefully he will be able to jump a fence. He looks a smart recruit to the yard and a 25% share in him is still available. He should be ready to run in the first week of November and he looks guaranteed to provide an entertaining season for his owners.

8th October, 2010



This morning was once again a lovely morning in Adlestrop with the horses shining in the sun and all appearing in good form. With the ground drying up we have decided to wait with Whenever and try and get a hurdle run into him in the next few weeks and hope there is some firmer ground. Rapid Return was entered at Ffos Las on Sunday which is a long way to go for his first run of the season and we hope the ground will dry up at either Uttoxeter or Wincanton this week.

Had a visit from Siobhan Urquhart this morning who brought along Mary Allbrook whose husband is headmaster at Bloxham school. Siobhan's husband Neil is the bursar there and bought Siobhan a membership of The Adlestrop Club for her birthday, a perfect present. Siobhan has had shares in horses with us since we started and it is always good to catch up.

I spent the afternoon doing office work. Once again Barnsy popped in to interfere with it. See what I have to put up with. You will be pleased to know that Beanie is well.

We have owners coming in the morning so I have been to Tescos in Stow to buy sausages. I saw Robert Cooper who as usual was shopping for bargains. Also vet Buffy Shirley-Bevan was shopping or the weekend with a very healthy basket, apart from the white bread for the bacon sandwiches.

Saw Question Time last, as you may know politics is one of my favourite hobbies and I ask the question why is there such a thing as child benefit? If I was Prime Minister, I think a tax on children would be the way forward and could be replaced with a racehorse benefit. I can't see it getting through the Commons though.

Today's horse is Darby's Turn. He was purchased through Michael Stroud for Andrew Nicholls this summer. Previous trained by Henry De Bromhead, he showed good hurdle form and very consistent chase form last season. He is still a novice over fences and hopefully will be able to compete in the two mile division as this can sometimes be less competitive that others. This son of Pistolet Bleu appears to be an excellent jumper and is working nicely. Hopefully he will be able to run in novice chases and handicaps this season and has a rating of a 0-125. He looks to be a useful addition to the yard for this season and it would be good to have fun horse for his owners Andrew and Jane, who are always great fun.

7th October, 2010


Yesterday morning we had Colin Pocock and family come to visit Captain Tidds go through his paces. Whilst Charlie Allan, share holder of Tiger Line did the same.

The horses are on the whole going a bit faster now and all seem to be pleasing. Their coats are getting a bit longer with that autumnal feel but hopes are high that there are a few winners around the corner.

Later in the morning Colin Pocock and I went to see his four year old Oscar purchased at the Derby sale last year, go through his paces at a livery yard near Tewkesbury . He will be coming back to us shortly and this well bred horse looks to have a promising future.

Just in case you were worried, I did have my lunch at the Horse & Groom thanks to Colin, Gwenda and their daughter Ella and hopes are high that the Pococks are going to have a good season with their string.

In the afternoon there was much office work and catching up with owner and sponsor Sue Harvey. Sue's company, Tori Global specialise in helping businesses and we are fortunate enough to have their help and they come highly recommended.

This morning Sue brought some Tori clients for a morning on the gallops and although Thursday is their easy day, it is always nice to show people around Adlestrop on such a wonderful morning. It is great that Tori get so much value out of their sponsorship by bringing their clients round. Sue once again treated us to lunch – thankfully I haven't had to go to Tescos for a long time.

Today's horse is Crackerjac Boy. He was purchased as a yearling at Saratoga for our American owners, Eustace and Carol Theodore and Karen Anderson. Given lots of time to mature, this rangy athletic type ran in one bumper last season and disappointed. In hindsight, a few of our horses didn't run well at the time and at home he certainly showed a lot more. He would have run again last season but unfortunately pulled a muscle behind quite badly and was given a summers rest. He is now doing plenty of cantering and we look forward to him showing his true colours over the next few months.

5th October, 2010


Yesterday we were pleased to have a visit from Jan Hurst and her friend Jo. Jan is a member of The Adlestrop Club and has had shares in various horses including Adlestrop and the dreaded Tremolo. Jan likes to get her ‘horse fix' now and again and hopefully she appears to have taken a liking to Thornton Alice which we are in the process of syndicating.

Bobby Donald's owners the Tomlins popped in a lunch time. Following lunch in Burford, we drove over to see my old boss, Graham Thorner.

Graham has been very good to me ever since I left school to work for him and it is always nice to catch up. Les is a great follower of racing and loves to talk about the old days so it was a match made in heaven.

Graham has a great record of buying unraced flat horses and giving them time with the prospect of turning them into jumpers and I don't think there are many that have not won. Before looking at the horses Graham treated us to a photographic trip down memory lane, including his remarkable ride on aboard Gordon Richard's Tamalin at Bechers in 1978. We also saw a picture of him upsides R Pitman, with Thorner looking like a whirling dervish, a Pitman looking like a worzel dervish.

This morning we have been jumping some horses thanks to the help of Sean Quinlan and Tom Siddall and the string continue to progress in the right direction.

Today's horse is Captain Tidds. Bought as a yearling by his owner Colin Pocock and living in his back garden until he was four, Captain Tidds always showed promise and after learning to settle, won over hurdles at Towcester for us. Novice chasing last season he progressed to winning the Brigadier Roscoe Harvey Memorial Chase at Warwick , jumping superbly under a fine ride from Sean Quinlan.

His first season handicap chasing will be an interesting one and hopefully there is a decent chase in him this winter now that he has learnt to settle and gets three miles.

1st October, 2010



Thanks to the rain, Whenever will not be running at Huntingdon on Sunday and we will probably run on the all weather. He has a reasonable handicap mark on the flat and let's hope he can take advantage of it.

I am at present in Jersey on my annual visit to see owner Bunny Roberts. Bunny owns the promising bumper horse, Ata Boy with us. Each year I am kindly asked to play in the Animal Health Trust golf tournament.

I have known Bunny for some years as her family had horses with Henry Candy in my younger days. I played golf this morning with among others, the trust ‘supremo' Dr Peter Webbon but the weather in jersey made the Ryder Cup look like the Bahamas so after nine holes it was time to return to a nice lunch. Luckily haven't bumped into anyone without any money yet, which is always good for business.

Bold Identity was purchased at the Doncaster August sales. He is a very attractive athletic four year old who has been placed in two maidens on the flat in Ireland . Since being at Adlestrop, he has schooled well and looks a potentially decent novice hurdler and chaser in time. He is at present being syndicated and looks an excellent addition to our string this season. If you would be interested in a share, please don't hesitate to contact the office.