Merry Christmas update

Merry Christmas to all our readers. And there are a couple of other notes.

We took a couple to Fakenham for the last jumping before Christmas. FLEMEN’S TIPPLE finished a solid third, proving that it will be worth the early start to go back there on New Year’s Day for the excellent prize money on offer. Obviously that will be dependent on the horse not making alternative birthday plans, but he has not been overly busy of late so should be fine with the ten day gap. With the forecast rain failing to arrive, the going was not soft enough for GOLD CLERMONT in the 3m 5f chase but Phil looked after her, and other defections mean that she ought to be ready for the consolation of a run in the Welsh National on Friday.  He is Tip and Andy fighting a headwind to make it back to unsaddle.

And here is Gold Clermont enjoying the brisk breeze rather more

From the same day, there are apparently no photos of Gemma’s stint as Santa Claus at Lingfield, nor of Stitch disguised as the world’s biggest reindeer…