Mid November 2023 Bulletin 2

Into winter with a winner! The goods were delivered by BIRDMAN BOB at Plumpton, with Philip Armson riding. He had been in good form on the gallops, but we did fear that the race was not enough of a stamina test, being a two miler on good to soft ground. On the railway bend, he was one of a pair going a bit better than the others, and was just able to edge ahead from his chalelnger after the second last. Now we have to make a decision on whether to be chasing as intended, or stick with hurdles until that stops working for him. A nice choice to be presented with. The following day CLONDAW ROBIN made his seasonal debut, forced back to hurdles by lack of a suitable chase (due to some recent abandonments). He too ran really well on going not as muddy as he needs, staying on and only narrowly failing to get fourth. It augurs well for when we can get a soggy chase for him. At Fontwell on Sunday BROWN BULLET was a little disappointing, but the hurdles were set on the outside of the course, and James Best’s feedback was that she hung due to lack of a rail on her left to persuade her around. Something to bear in mind when looking for the next stop.

Birdman Bob is on the left (red, blue & yellow colours) in the first picture. Clondaw Robin is too big to have room to share the frame with other horses.