Week Ending 28th October

Monday 22nd
2 winners and a few 2nds from our 9 runners today.
Irdu Brannagh got her first race win as she won her A8 by 1 1/2 lengths in 30.23. Lady Mission ran a blinder as she led at the 2nd bend and went on to win her A3 by 3 lengths in a fastest of the day 28.74. Liscrea Premier ran 2nd in the A2 Owners Bonus Series final, Lizzys Bar, Mercurial Lady and Gortkelly Hudini all ran well in defeat.
Tuesday 23rd
Trials were cancelled at late notice this morning so the gallop was well used today. Portavoe Lass was impressive as she continues her come back from injury.
Wednesday 24th
A couple of winners from our 9 runners this evening.
Lady Maud returned to winning ways as she flew the lids and led all the way in her A3 to win by 4 1/2 lengths in 29.00.
Riverdale Spiros got his first win since returning from injury as he ran a brilliant first bend to muscle his way to the front and got the better of kennel mate Scobys Flash on the run to the line. Ricky won by 1 length in 29.00.
Thursday 25th
A Busy day at the kennels with around 40 dogs being checked over by our physio and trips to Monmore and Belle Vue in the evening.
Good and bad news from the physio today. Hey Diego and Lord Sugar face a spell on the sidelines with lameness but Bellmore Woody and Kelseys Prince both got the go ahead to return to full training.
Ding Hero was totally out of luck in his 630m Sky final as he took a crashing fall on the first bend. Ding broke well and looked like turning handy but within a split second he was crashing to the ground. Luckily he returned none the worse and will head to Wimbledon for the St Leger next week. We're not sure if he'll stick the tough 6 bends at the Don but it's worth a shot and he deserves to take his chance.
Taranis Rex trialled at Belle Vue in preparation for the upcoming Laurels and delighted us with his effort. Rex pinged the lids and ran the track very well as he beat the useful Boher Cheiftain by 1 length in 27.83.
Friday 26th
4 winners from our 13 runners at Swindon. Effernogue Load beat kennel mate Glendine Girl by 2 lengths in 29.36. Bookies Girls beat kennel mate Sparkem out by 2 3/4 lengths in 28.79. Motor Home got her first win since returning from her hock injury as she led all the way to win her A3 by 3 3/4 lengths in 29.05. Useful youngster, Rainham Chris, was quite impressive as he won a decent little A2 in good style. Chris broke well and showed a lovely turn of early and went on to win by 3 1/4 lengths in a fastest of the night 28.65. There's plenty left in this lad yet and he'll make a very nice dog next year.
Crinkill Jewel, Portavoe Lass and Five Alley Pub all trialled at Wimbledon tonight in preparation for the St Leger and went well. There was nothing between all three of them at the line, Crink's just edged the trial in 29.13.
Saturday 27th
Another busy day with meeting's at Coventry, Oxford and Swindon.
Firstly to Coventry where we had 5 runners at their morning meeting. Pony Bride was stepped up in trip to the 894m marathon and stayed it well as she won by nearly 2 lengths. It looks like Pony will be well suited to this type of trip in the future but she'll drop back down to 6 bends next for a crack at the St Leger. She'll take the quick runs of the comp in her stride if she can make it through a round or two. Hiding Escort ran a superb race to collar long time leader, Razldazl Houdini on the run in to win the top division of the standard open in 29.50. The exciting Forest Mollie looked a likely winner coming in to the last bend before just clipping the dog in front and hitting the rail. She's OK though and will head back to Cov next week before concentrating on Wimbledon in readiness for the Oaks. I think Mollie is a good a dog as I've ever trained. Gemstone Jack got disqualified in his 6 bend open but we won't be giving up on him just yet. Jack is only young and has huge potential if he stays focused on the job. He'll be given a break before being re-schooled.
On to Swindon where we had 2 winners form our 6 runners. Forest Ted led home kennel mate Sligo Mick in the A1. Ted won by 3/4 of a length in 28.80. Lady Maud made it two wins in a week as she beat kennel mate Winetavern Tadgh by 1/2 a length in 28.91.
Barnish Booth was the star of the show tonight though as he won the Oxford Gold Cup by nearly 3 lengths in 26.90. Mickey broke well from trap 6 and turned handy going in to the back straight where he soon took up the running. Kilmalady Biffo and Glenbane Air finished 3rd and 4th respectively in the final after both slightly missing the kick.
Slippery Patch appreciated the drop in trip to 595m and he pinged the lids and led all the way in his open to win in the 2nd fastest time of the year. Patch has the Romford Essex Vase as his big target.
The Oxford Gold Cup victory capped off a great few weeks for us and the open race tally now stands at 77.