Week Ending 19th August

Monday 13th
Just the one winner from today's BAGS meeting. Keeperhill Hawk kept up his excellent record since joining the kennel with an A2 victory. He won by 2 1/2 lengths in 29.54
Tuesday 14th
No trials for us today as we managed to spin all of ours before racing of late.
Wednesday 15th
We left it late to find our winner this evening as Butchers Bounty won his A2 1 3/4 lengths in 29.46.
Thursday 16th
A trip to Hove this evening with 3 runners. Slippery Patch made his debut for the kennel when finishing 2nd in a maiden 515 open. Patch was crowded early on and took a nudge at the bend but ran well enough. There seems to have been a bit of an over reaction to his defeat by a lot of people as it's fair to say with his excellent Irish card he was expected to win this race but it's very early days with this dog and he will be a massive player in the St Leger later in the year. Patch came off with a few problems and will need a couple of weeks before he runs again.
Barnish Booth looked like a novice pup in his 475m open as he moved to the inside rail and then swung right off at the 2nd losing a lot of ground. He stayed on well though to finish 4th and will be stepped up to the 515m next week.
Droopys Harper ran well enough in his maiden 515m race to finish 3rd.
Friday 17th
A poor day at Swindon with just the one winner from the two meeting's today.
Effernogue Load won his A3 by 2 lengths in 29.29.
Saturday 18th
A good night all round with winners at Swindon and Coventry.
Oddson Whiskey got a much deserved win in her S2. She turned handy off the 2nd bend and always looked a likely winner. Whiskey went on to win by 5 lengths in 42.48.
Gemstone Annie made it 3 wins from her last 4 races as she won another A2 in good style. Annie led on the run in to win by 1/2 a length in 29.17.
We took 3 runners to Coventry and came away with 2 winners. Glenbane Air got everything right in his sprint open and won nicely by 1 1/4 lengths in 15.96.
Crinkill Jewel found herself in a very moderate stayers open and went off a hot 1/2 favourite. She led around the first bend and went on to win by 15 and 3/4 lengths in a good 41.54.
Sunday 19th
Back to Coventry tonight and it continues to be our lucky track as we came away with another 2 winners. Gemstone Jack made it two wins on the spin as he ran a cracking race in his puppy open to win by 1 length in 29.69.
Yeatsie Boy made it 4 wins on the trot at Coventry as he again flew the lids to lead all the way in a decent quality open. Yeatsie won by 3 1/4 lengths in a fastest of the night in 29.33 and will head back there again next week.
Hey Diego and Penskey Rain both ran their hearts out for us to finish third in their respective opens.
In pre race trials, Taranis Rex continued his excellent come back as he beat kennel mate Pony Bride by a head in 29.77. Rex has again returned sound and it's planned he'll head back to Coventry next week to make his racing return. It's fair to say that the tough 485m trip is a bit further than Rex really wants and we did want him to make his come back at Swindon but they just aren't filling their opens at the moment so we'll take in a race at Coventry instead.
Pony Bride flew off the last bend and only just failed to pick Rex up on the line, she was a mile clear in to the drop and looks a lovely stayer in the making. She heads to Hove next week along with Crinkill Jewel and Five Alley Pub in a 695m competition.
Kilmalady Biffo had his first trial back this evening after a lay off and moved very well to win his sprint trial in 15.88.

Week Ending 12th August

Monday 6th
A rare day off for the kennel as we were given no runners at today's meeting.
Tuesday 7th
A quiet trial session for us today but all 4 of ours went  nicely.
Boozed Aroma rejoined the graded strength after her 29.31 win and Witcombe Lady ran a lovely trial to win in 30.02. Her toe ligament injury has held up really well.
Inishmore Impact was given a confidence boosting solo sprint after suffering bad crowding in his last few races. He pinged the lids and stopped the clock at a decent 16.27. Hopefully he'll be given some better draws soon and can get a few clear runs. He could make in to a really nice dog with some luck.
Recent arrival, Mullingar Mer, delighted us with her first look at Swindon. She flew out and recorded 16.31 which is probably as fast as any new dog we've put round.
Wednesday 8th
No luck this evening from our 5 runners. Lady Jaro was the only one of ours to get a clear run and she ran her heart out to finish 2nd in her A1. Jaro has been a superb bitch for the kennel at at nearly 5 years old she still recorded a 28.93 tonight. Nice youngster, Smoothoppa Razor, continues to be given poor draws and again was in trouble tonight. She'll probably be given a short break soon unless she gets a change of luck.
Thursday 9th
An early morning trip to the vets with 5 dogs.
Motor Home will need a further month on the easy list with a strained hock and a problem in her hip.
Recent arrival, Forest Mollie, had her tonsils removed and will be off the track for 2-3 weeks.
Barnish Booth and Pony Bride were given the all clear as they were given precautionary check overs.
Bellmore Woody was given the all clear after arriving with a few minor niggles. He'll spend a couple of weeks on the gallop before he's given a sprint at Swindon.
Friday 10th
3 winners from today's meetings.
Gemstone Annie made it 2 wins from her last 3 races as she just got up on the line to win a good quality A2 in 29.20.
Witcombe Lady made a winning debut this evening as she flew the lids and led all the way in her A6 to win by a length in 29.91. Her owners have been very patient with this girl as she needed a good while off with a toe ligament injury so it was great to get off to a good start.
The incredible Lady Maud made it 3 wins on the trot and a brilliant 7 wins from her 11 starts as she led at the first bend to win her A2 by 1/2 length in 29.51.
Saturday 11th
This evening we had 5 dogs trialling before racing and 7 runners in 4 races.
The trials went better than we could have hoped with all the dogs delighting us with their efforts.
Slippery Patch, Taranis Rex and Barnish Booth made up probably the best quality 3 dog trial we've ever had from the kennel. Rex showed fantastic early and led all the way to beat Barnish Booth by a length and a half in a flying 28.61. Slippery Patch ran on strongly and was only a head behind Barnish at the line but led a long way into the drop. It was obviously a fantastic run by Rex who has come back better than ever after injury but I was just as pleased with the effort of Barnish Booth who'd been on the easy list since taking a bumpy ride on Produce final night. Slippery Patch looks to have the making of a really nice St Leger type and this will be his main target this year.
Mullinger Mer showed terrific early pace to lead about 4 lengths in her trial but Pony Bride reeled her in on the last bend and went on to win the trial by 3 lengths in a good 29.08. Pony Bride is a lovely stayer in the making and this was a good effort in only her 2nd 4 bend trial since season.
On to the race dogs and the night got off to a bad start as Flag Officer failed to make the pick up after going badly lame on a shoulder, he'll be off for around 2 months I would imagine.
Sligo Mick was up against kennel mate Inishmore Impact in the A2 and it was the less fancied Sligo Mick who came away with the win. Mick broke well and left all the trouble behind him at the bend and went on to win by 4 lengths in 29.18. Inishmore was again involved in bad crowding and this fellow may well be given a go somewhere else before he gets fed up of the game.
Kennel star, Ding Hero, made his comeback tonight after 3 months out lame with a hip injury and won a very good quality A1 in great style. Ding broke well and led every yard of the way to win by 3/4 of a length in a good 28.76. He's now won a brilliant 11 of his 22 races for the kennel. Hiding Escort impressed with his fast finishing 4th place in the same race.

In Other News.....
We've had a desperately bad week for getting races for our open race team as Swindon again failed to fill their opens and Coventry had to cancel their entire Sunday meeting due to lack of entries. We'll have a busy week next week with Hove and Coventry top of the list.
Taranis Rex will head to Coventry next Sunday for a trial before making his racing comeback there the following week. Although disappointed that Cov failed to race this week, we'll continue to support them as much as we can as I believe this could well be the best track in the Country in the future.
Noels Touch left the kennel this week as he starts his new life of luxury with his owners in retirement. Noels was a cracking dog for us and won numerous 4 and 6 bend races, the highlight being his all the way success in the six bend Owners Bonus Series final.

Week Ending 5th August

Monday 30th July
Gemstone Billy got his first career win as he led on the run in to win his A5 by 1/2 length in 29.79. Billy has plenty to learn still but hopefully getting his head in front today will do him the world of good. Every member of Swift Jade's first litter have now won races which is a great achievement.
Fishermans Leah cracked out and led all the way in her A2 to win by 4 lengths in 29.26.
Active Lark completed the days hat trick as she led all the way in her A2 to win by 1/2 length in 29.19.
Tuesday 31st July
Another very good trial session for the kennel.
Der Lone Razor moved well in his first go at the 685m trip to record 42.35.
Recent arrival, Slippery Patch, impressed in his first look at the track as he clocked 28.77. Professor Deejay returned to the graded strength after his 29.54 trial win. Taranis Rex delighted us with his first four bend workout in over 10 months as he posted a joint fastest of the session 28.66. Ding Hero looked more like his old self as he took the paint of the rails to record 28.66.
Pony Bride stayed well to pick up kennel mates Coolykereen Tar (29.47) and Lizzys Bar (29.59) to win her trial in 29.27. She looks a very nice stayer in the making and won't be rushed.
Boozed Aroma returned to the track after her split web to post 16.57. Witcombe Lady posted 16.96 as she returned from a toe injury. Recent arrival, Forest Mollie, delighted me with her 16.54 solo sprint.
Wednesday 1st August
Droopys Harper made it 4 wins on the trot and 5 wins from 9 starts for the kennel as he won his A1 in great style. Harper moved well down the back straight and ran a brilliant third bend to force himself through on the rail and stayed on very well to win by 5 lengths in a personal best 29.13. Harper looks like a nice staying prospect and will probably be stepped up to a sharp 6 bend trip soon.
Lord Sugar ran another good race in defeat. He was just picked up on the line tonight but always runs well given a chance.
Stanton Jerry and Noels Touch were both castrated this morning. Noels has a lovely home waiting for him with his owner and the plan was to have Jerry done so he's ready for when we find him his new home. Both came out of the op very well.
Portavoe Lass and Lady Lomasi both had their casts taken off. Portavoe's had a hairline fracture of the hock but it's looking very good and we are hopeful of having her back in time for the St Leger. Lady Lomasi has healed well although it's unlikely she'll return to racing and she'll be found a nice home.
Thursday 2nd
For the first time in a while we had no racing or trials on a Thursday. Several dogs were put through their paces on the gallop with Penskey Rain and Crinkill Jewel the most impressive. At over 4 years old and with over 80 races ran you could forgive Pensk for not being too enthusiastic about his galloping but the old pro flew up like his life depended on it. The gallop is an essential part of the training programme and it's a great place to gauge the form of our dogs.
Friday 3rd
Two winners from today's meetings. Gortkelly Hudini won his A4 by 3 1/4 lengths in 29.44.
Kennel mates Flag Officer and Hey Diego battled out the A1 between them and it was Flag Officer who just came out on top by a neck in a very good 28.87. Hey Diego lost nothing in defeat though and recorded his personal best time of 28.90 and is very much going the right way.
Saturday 4th
A couple of winners this evening. Lady Maud flew the lids and left the trouble behind her at the first bend as she went on to win her A3 by 1 1/4 lengths in 29.39. She's now won 6  of her 10 races and has exceeded all expectations.
Forest Ted rode a nasty first bend bump and went on to win his A1 by 1/2 length in 29.24.
We also had 4 dogs trialling before racing that all went well. Slippery Patch beat Glenbane Air by 7 1/2 lengths in a very pleasing 28.62. Hoots Mon who badly needed the run was a further 3/4 of a length behind. Coolykereen Tar completed his qualifying trials with a 29.42 spin.
Sunday 5th
A brilliant night for the kennel with 3 winners from 5 runners at Coventry and a track record run to boot!
Crinkill Jewel got the night off to a memorable start as she flew the lids to make all in her 6 bend open. She won very impressively by 5 1/4 lengths and it was no surprise when it was announced that she had broken Blonde Fletch's track record as well. Even though it's a relatively new distance there have been some very good dogs go around so this was a brilliant run.
Gemstone Jack quickly kept the ball rolling as he ran an unbelievable race to win his 485m puppy open by a length in 29.74. After early scrimmaging Jack already looked to have plenty to do going in to the third bend but was again crowded and he was left in what looked like a hopeless position. However, he fairly flew off the last bend and won going away and was a long way clear in to the pick up. He looks a natural 6 bend dog but will more than likely be kept to 4 bends until after the Nottingham Produce Stakes.
Hiding Escort got a bumpy ride in his 4 bend open but should improve for the look round. Penskey Rain ran really well in the 2nd division of the stayer's but was beaten fair and square in to 2nd place.
Yeatsie Boy made sure the night ended on a real high as he made it a hat-trick of Coventry open wins as he ran his best race so far. Yeats cracked out and showed brilliant early to turn in front of the favourite, Oneco Talent, who looked very dangerous out of the 2nd bend as he turned on our heels but Yeatsie wasn't going to be denied and showed huge guts to hold on by 1/2 a length in a personal best 29.34. He'll more than likely head back there again next week.