We have had better weekends with the yards runners but Dynaste ran a cracker to finish second behind the mighty Big Bucks.  At one time it looked like our six year old had got the super star at it but like all brilliant horses Big Bucks came up the hill so powerfully to win by seven lengths.  Dynaste won £10,000 for finishing second and I am pleased to report he has come out of the race well and we look forward to taking on Big Bucks for the third time in March!  Notus De La Tour also ran well to finish third at Leopardstown yesterday.  He was beaten a fair way in the Irish Arkle but it was another good performance.  The winner Flemenstar was extremely impressive but our lad probably ran as well as last time and picked up some nice place prize money.

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David has runners at Leopardstown and Ffos Las this afternoon.  Notus De la Tour returns to Ireland to run in a very good Arkle novices chase after running well at the track over the Christmas period when finishing second behind todays rival, Blackstairmountain.  Jockey Robbie Power rode our six year old last time and said afterwards we had a chance of reversing the form with the winner on softer ground so fingers crossed the ground has not dried out too much after some rain earlier in the week.  It  is a very tough race and whatever happens there is 80,000 Euros up for grabs and the Irish look after us and our owners extremely well and I am sure we will be venturing back across the Irish sea again soon!  

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Clever Dick ran okay at Fontwell yesterday but it was bottomless ground and he looked to be going well down the back straight but did not appear to get home in the testing ground.  He was also a bit hampered and lost a few lengths going round the final bend and from then on he lost all chance of winning.  I am sure we will see him in better light on not such testing ground.  Meanwhile at Huntingdon, Rose of the Moon ran no sort of race, also on very testing ground.  He has got to be better than this so hopefully he can bounce back to form next time.  I am pleased to report that both horses are fine this morning and have come out of their races well.  David has plenty of runners today at Cheltenham and Doncaster.  

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Rose_of_the_Moon_Uttoxeter

Apologies for the delay in this morning's update, unfortunately we have had a few technical difficulties but it is good to be up and running again!  With Unex Degas a non-runner in the bumper at Fontwell, the stable has two runners this afternoon - Clever Dick at Fontwell and Rose Of The Moon at Huntingdon.  Clever Dick showed improved form last time to finish a close second so hopefully he will be able to go one better this afternoon, while Rose Of The Moon, a winner on his debut for the stable participates in first time blinkers.

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Quinte_Du_Chatelet_Hereford

The stable continues in good form and we enjoyed another success when Quinte du Chatelet won the 2m6 1/2f handicap hurdle under Tom Scudamore providing the owners Brocade Racing with their 30th winner.  Our eight year old jumped out, made all and never saw another horse as he gradually burnt off his pursuers to record a ten length victory.  This was a really good performance under 11-7 and he is clearly very effective under these testing conditions - if he can be found another similar opportunity, he looks like he could be able to follow-up.

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Painter_Man_Leicester

Painter Man bolted up by nine lengths in very testing conditions at Leicester yesterday afternoon under Tom Scudamore.  He finished tired, but I think he was idling a bit in front as you could see him looking around after the last - there were only six finishers from the eleven that set out, so that tells you how difficult conditions were come the last race of the day.  It was a good performance on only his second outing after an eighteen month absence and I would imagine that David will be turn him out again under a penalty before the handicapper can exact his revenge.  The trouble is, when you get bottomless ground (as was the case yesterday), you do tend to get exagerated winning margins - please keep that in mind Mr Handicapper!

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Ashbrittle was a little disappointing at Wetherby yesterday.  I thought David's five year old would win but he finished second.  He did not jump the final three flights of hurdles very well at all and this probably cost him the race.  He stayed on well all the way to the line however and he looks like he may step up in trip at some stage as remember he was a stayer on the flat.  Cucumber Run won for the Henderson team, mind you if you saw the race you know that he jumped violently to the left.  I would not want to trust the seven year old to win if they ever tried to run him on a right handed track!  The most impressive winner of the day yesterday was Scoglio who won the juvenile hurdle.  He is now set to run in the Scottish Triumph hurdle and the trainer Dave Roberts is still waiting to get his full licence!

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