As I write this we have had two days of unbelievably cold weather and are currently getting hit with a lot of snow!! It just reminds us of what a great job all the team here do day in day out in all weathers and conditions.
In other news this month was the retirement of regular rider for us Liam Treadwell. Liam has been a massive part of the team for a number of years, we have had some great times together and plenty of winners. Monbeg Dude being third in the Grand National stands out. He was a fantastic jockey and great with his feed back but more just as importantly a fantastic person, we will certainly be very missed and we wish him the best of luck in the future whatever he decides to do.
15th February- Two Smokin Barrels ran at Leicester in a mares only handicap chase, ridden by Tom Scu. Smokey ran a great race to finish second only beaten by a neck, there was a stewards enquiry as the two runners came very close after the last but the result stood. This was another great run from Smokey following on from her good third at Newbury last time. she has really carried on from a good season last season, there is a race for her at Cheltenham in April but will hopefully run somewhere before then.
16th February – Twenty Eight Guns took the long trek to Fakenham for a 2m5f handicap chase. Owners Alistair Mason and Dave Alexander made the trip and were very glad they did as they were able to watch her win her fourth race of her career. Ridden by Tom Scu she was in second most od the way round before taking up the running going to the last and going on to win by just over 1 length. It was great to have her back to form as things had not gone right for her so far this season so hopefully she can build on this and have a great end to the season. She may well head up to Newcastle next week for a race won last year by Two Smokin Barrels, if the weather allows!!
17th February- Mysteree headed to Haydock for the Grand National Trial, it was a very eventful race and there were only four left as they turned for home for the last time, ridden as ever by Robbie Dunne. This is where he weakened quickly, he stillm managed to keep going for third but this was not the Mysteree we know. He has come back fine but we will do some tests on him before we see him again, and hopefully we can get him back to the horse we saw last season.
23rd February- Sheneededtherun ran at Warwick, ridden by John KIngton. Shelly has been in great form winning and being second on her last two starts. This was another step up and looked a competitive race on paper, settled at the back she made steady headway jumping brilliantly throughout to go on to win. John and her have built up a great combination this season, it was great that owners Martin and Bob have stuck by him, their loyalty really paid off.
24th February- Cadeyrn went back to Newcastle the scene of his win earlier in the season. Ridden this time by champion jockey Richard Johnson. With only three runners this was always going to be a tricky race. We ended up making up all the running and the race turned into a bit of a sprint which did not suit us. H still ran a big race to be second not beaten very far, his official rating went up 3lb to 130, and that could work out to be a very useful novice hurdle. Cadeyrn will possibly have one more run over hurdles but am very excited about him chasing next season.