Temperature Rising?!

It has been a shame we have lost a few race meetings over the last few days but this cannot be helped.  I was particularly disappointed that we did not get to run recent winners Quinte Du Chatelet and Painter Man with a penalty with their intended engagements abandoned.  The handicapper has been quite harsh in raising their marks because of their wins.  I just hope these two old stable favourites can be competitive off their new ratings for their owner’s at least.  Both horses have been plagued with injuries over their careers and it was just brilliant to get them back in the winner’s enclosure, let’s just hope this was not the last time!

As you will have probably seen already the Grand National entries closed last week and I have four horses entered.  It has been Junior's long term aim to go for the race since winning at the Festival last year.  This is why we have not seen him run yet this season but I am pleased to report he is working well at home and in good form with himself.  He will have one or maybe two runs before the big day in April and he is entered at Newbury on Saturday over hurdles. We shall take a look at the entries and wait until later in the week before deciding whether he definitely runs or not.  Our other entries in the race include The Package who has unseated Graham Lee when still going well in the race in 2010.  He picked up an injury and missed most of last season but has been doing all his prep work with Timmy Murphy and returned to us last month.  He is in great nick and me may go straight to the Cheltenham Festival.

Massini's Maguire is also entered.  He was a little disappointing at Ascot earlier in the season but I think we can forget that run as he works really nicely at home and possesses a great deal of ability.  He is not the easiest to train but is very talented and I look forward to running him at Ascot later this month and we will then decide about the Grand National after this.  Swing Bill is our final entry in the race and for those of you who read my column in the Racing Post on Saturdays you will know that he is up for sale to run in the big race.  'Bill' is a real character and has never really run a bad race since joining Pond House.  He has jumped round the National fences before and will give someone a great thrill to own such a genuine and consistent horse.  He is likely to have a run this month before heading to the Cheltenham Festival and whatever race he runs in there he is sure to give you a good run.  If anyone is interested in owning Swing Bill please give our office a ring on 01884 840715 for more details.  I shall be making a trip to London on Tuesday 14th February when the Grand National weights are revealed, it’s always a good day out and will be interesting to see how the race shapes up.  There are quite a few less entries in the race this year than in the past but I don't see that as a bad thing. The quality of the race has risen considerably and it is simply not worth entering some horses as you know they won't even get in the race.  The top weight this year will be rated 160+ which means you have to be nearly rated 140 to get in the handicap proper!  It will be interesting to see what senior handicapper Phil Smith makes of the race and I am certainly looking forward to my day out next week.

This week I am likely to just to have a few runners at various meetings.  On Friday Alderluck is likely to make his Pond House debut in the handicap chase at Kempton.  This five time winner has pleased me in his work at home and I am looking forward to getting him on the track.   On Saturday, Newbury is the main feature but we also have Warwick and Uttoxeter as well.  All things being well Grands Crus will run in the three mile novices chase in his final prep run before the Festival at the Berkshire track.  I do not have any runners in the Betfair hurdle, Bobby Ewing now goes straight to Cheltenham Festival but the exact target has yet to be decided.  On Sunday we have entries at Exeter and Hereford so we should have a few runners to look forward to, weather permitting.  Keep an eye on Chester’s daily updates for more news of the stables runners throughout the week.

I would like to say special congratulations to James who works in the office and his wife Victoria on the birth of their second child.  Daughter Imogen was born last week and mother and baby are doing well which is great news.  This is particularly relevant to me as I am expecting number 2 later this month – exciting times ahead at home and with the horses!