News

Yes, to further cloud the miasma of mystery surrounding the origins of various Christmas legends, St Nicholas’ Day is actually December 19th, not 24th. Maybe two rounds of present giving and dabbling in drinks untouched for the rest of the year is in order. Merry Christmas to all our readers, whichever day(s) you choose to…
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Since the last update the theme of the runners has been to perform quite well, without turning it into a win. GODOT was third in a staying hurdle at Kempton, SHAW’S CROSS ran really well on his comeback at Lingfield until lack of a recent run told in the straight and LA DOLCE DOLLY put…
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Had a run. It was dank and dreary, a bit mucky. The least said, soonest mended, although I was not inconsiderably insulted to find out that the race was a seller, and I was the outsider of four. {No offence intended, but that might be something where you can control your situation. – Ed.} All…
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This being the 250th anniversary of his death, an update that is largely Plumpton-centric seems appropriate. No need to explain how. Anyway, it was off to Plumpton last Monday, where ongoing lack of rain, and an apparent distrust (in certain yards) of the track’s ability produce properly good ground led to small fields all the…
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We had three runners last week at Plumpton and they all acquitted themselves well, without delivering the rewards hoped for. CLONDAW ROBIN had ground a bit on the quick side, but he needed a run and is not an enthusiastic horsebox passenger, so Plumpton it had to be. He managed to stay to the fore…
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Referring to my previous blog on malingering, I had an experiment with the idea last month and managed to get out of running at Plumpton, which was nice. As it turned out to be a damp and dreary day, I was even more pleased that my plan worked. Obviously being back in the hurdling game…
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He would have been 392 years old today, had he concentrated less on immortality via the medium of rebuilding London’s ecclesiastical structures and more on the staying alive for ever kind of immortality. The last update as prophetic about things never going to plan. GODOT was not our first runner of autumn as he was…
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I was supposed to be going to Windsor today, but those very kind humans all around me decided that lugging through the mud is not really necessary for me. I will remember their kindness, but probably only until something else exciting or mad occurs. Horses do not put aside much room in their brain for…
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Just a quick update. If things go to plan (as if they ever do!) the first jumper out of hibernation will be GODOT at Kempton’s Sunday meeting, with a couple pencilled in for Plumpton the following day. CLONDAW ROBIN is very probable for that as he is not a good traveller, so what suits him…
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The bad news since the last blog is that Hesbehindyou, my loyal sidekick who came with exemplary references from Monty’s Award, has retired and departed Shovelstrode. This is a problem, as I am not sure any one of the other horses can live up to his efforts in sidekickery. When you ask specifically what he…
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