Wow!

I had always been quietly confident that he would handle this first step into Graded company, but even I wasn’t prepared for quite such a devastating performance. Despite taking a keen hold through the race, he still had more than enough in reserve to kick away from his field on the home turn and win easing down by ten lengths from Knockara Beau. I am in no doubt that this was a performance right out of the top drawer, and sectional times compared with the remainder of the card also show this to be a colossal effort.

I am pleased to report that “George” is none the worse for his exertions over the weekend and he will not run again until the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March which is only five weeks away now. Hopefully both he and defending champion Big Buck’s will make it to the Festival in top form and we should have a great race on our hands – once thing is for sure his spectacular success has reignited interest in the World Hurdle and that can only be a good thing.

Talking of the Festival, the early closing entries continue to close for the best four days of jump racing in the world. Last week we entered both Dan Breen and Mamlook in the Arkle Chase, the progressive Sona Sasta in the four mile National Hunt Chase, and Mr Thriller and Mamlook in the Jewson Novices’ Chase.

Tomorrow we will be making entries for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Triumph Hurdle (in which I would imagine that we will be putting Kempton winner Kazzene), as well as the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. To find out the full list of Pond House entries for these races, check back here. It is certainly going to be a busy morning as we also have to make our entries for this year’s John Smiths Grand National at Aintree and 2008 winner and 2009 runner-up Comply Or Die will certainly figure among the Pond House contingent. We might also just have a surprise or two up our sleeves, so keep an eye on our daily news! Unfortunately one horse that will not be going to Aintree is The Package – sadly he has met with a setback and will not be out again this season. Fortunately he is a relatively lightly raced eight year old so there is still plenty of time for him, and I look forward to getting him back on track next term.

Following fairly hot on the heels of the Grand National entries is the Grand National Weights Luncheon on Tuesday 15^th February in London. It is an event that I always look forward to attending, not least out of curiosity and anticipation to see what senior handicapper Phil Smith has done with our runners. As most of you will know, the Grand National is not your run of the mill handicap and to encourage some of the best horses in training to compete Phil will often compress the handicap marks of those with the highest ratings. Framing these weights is an unenviable task that I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy, and in fairness Phil does a tremendous job. Doubtless he will be on the receiving end of a broadside from some irate trainer about how his horse is “badly-in” – I just hope it is not me!

I was present at the Brightwells Cheltenham Sales on Saturday following the racing, and was pleased to usher in the arrival of some new horses. Roger Brookhouse bought Close House for 100,000 guineas and I am delighted that he has sent him here – he is a big, scopey, good looking individual who I am sure has done well to win a bumper over 1m6f. He looks as if he will want further and is a lovely addition to the yard and is certainly one for the future.