Week Ending 24th February

Tuesday 19th
A busy trial day for us with 10 dogs going to Swindon.
Gortkelly Hudini completed his comeback from injury with a 29.57 effort.
The unraced Wagama went ever so well in her first four bend trial as she popped out and led all the way to record 30.08.
Nickys Love delighted me with her first four bend trial as she broke well and led the very useful Southern Angel until the third bend before getting slightly lost but she still recorded a very pleasing 29.39. Angel stayed the trip very well as she went on to win by nearly 6 lengths in a good 28.89.
Taranis Rex continued his come back with a good 16.36 and will be stepped up to four bends next week. He beat Saleen Tompajoe by a couple of lengths.
Lady Maud (17.28), Lord Sugar (17.01) and Jolly Be Good (16.96) all went well enough in their return from injury while Rainham Chris posted 16.54 in a solo.
Wednesday 20th
2 winners from this evening's meeting at Swindon. Glendine Girl flew the lids and led all the way to win her A5 in good style.
Droopys Harper ran a super race to win his S1 after coming from behind the useful Forest Bonjo. Harps showed very good middle pace and looked to have got stronger for his 6 bend run the week before as he always looked like holding on at the finish. He'll be kept for the bags competition that's coming up soon.
Forest Mollie posted 28.53 in a pre race trial as she qualified back for a graded race or two in the hope to get her qualified for bags comp.
Thursday 21st
Back to Hove tonight with 2 trial dogs and 3 runners.
Droopys Danneel pinged the lids and led kennel mate Tibetan Skies all the way in a very good 29.77. Tibetan flew down the back straight and looked like taking the lead at the third bend but was forced to check but he still came home with a rattle and will improve for the look. He'll make his UK debut next week in a maiden while Dani will go back for a bitches race.
Slippery Patch was the star of the show as he won a top class 515m open in good style. The confidence boosting win at Swindon last week seems to have done him the world of good.
Gemstone Jack ran a very good race and looked like going close before being forced wide off the last bend. Barnish Booth missed timed the break but ran well enough in his 475m open.
Friday 22nd
A busy day for us with 17 runners at 3 meetings.
Firstly to Swindon where we managed 3 winners. Off The Radar ran a great race to beat kennel mate Express Fantasy to win their A2 in 29.22.
Der Lone Razor always looked like winning when he turned handy off the 2nd bend sand led on the run in to win his A3 in 29.46.
Billyboy got his first career win as he led at the first bend to win his A8 by 2 lengths in 29.85.
On to Romford where we had 5 runners.
Rainham Chris got off the mark at the first time of asking in open class company as he led at the first bend to win his maiden 400m race by 3 1/2 lengths in 24.50. This was Chris's first race in nearly 3 months and he'll improve nicely for the run.
Jolly Fagan and Saleen Tompajoe were both out of luck in their races as suffered early crowding. Gemstone Annie ran with credit in her 575m maiden open and was unlucky to come up against a very decent prospect of Mark Wallis's. She'll head back on Friday for another go though.
We finished the night with a winner as Ding Hero took full advantage of some early crowding to nip round on the rail and went on to win in good style. He'll also head back their next week before probably going to Monmore for their 630m festival competition.
Saturday 23rd
A busy night at Swindon where we had 9 runners, unfortunately we were guaranteed 4 losers before we even started as we had a three runners in the A1 and a couple of doubles as well.
Hey Diego and Chilli Hot Sauce both ran in the D1 and it was Diego who took us a little bit by surprise as he flew the lids and made all to beat Chilli by over 3 lengths in a very useful 16.19. He's a very classy little dog as his 28.60 open win proved last year but we've never really considered him a sprinter but he showed a touch of class and won well. He's likely to be our contender for the 'dogs' race in the bags comp provide Swindon can give him some regular races.
Forest Mollie was made to work hard by kennel mate Alarming Jacks to win the A1. Jacks showed great early and flew down the back but Mollie stayed on strongly to pass her on the run in and win by 1 3/4 in 28.78. It would be lovely to have both of these girls in the bags comp if Swindon can get them qualified in time.
Sunday 24th
Two meeting's this evening as we had 4 runners at Coventry and Jolly Bullseye down at Sittingbourne.
Jolly made the journey more than worth while as he won his 480m open in good style. He was made to work hard by the very decent Lenson Champ but always looked like holding that rival and won by 3/4 of a length in 29.08. He'll head to Wimbledon on Saturday night to gain some valuable experience of the Plough Lane circuit.
All the dogs ran really well at Coventry and we were a shade unlucky to only come away with one winner.
Swords Brett ran his best race for a while as he was narrowly beaten by the very useful Ballycowen Dave. Brett got a much needed clear run and looked back to his best as he recorded a good 29.38.
Swords Messi showed guts and determination in abundance as he forced his way to the front around the opening bend and really dug deep to hold of Highfire Jazz by a neck in 29.70. Messi has now won 6 of his 15 starts for the kennel.
Pony Bride ran a decent race in the top division of the marathon but was beaten fair and square by a very good winner.
Crinkill Jewel flew the lids but just lacked a yard of early and got badly crowded on the bend. She's worked her socks off though to get back in to the race and was a fast finishing third. She'll head back to Cov again next week.

Week Ending 17th February

Monday 11th
1 winner from our 5 runners this afternoon. Smoothoppa Razor led at the first bend to win a good A2 in 28.91. Opera is improving nicely now, she's a full sister to Alarming Jacks, and it'll be interesting to see how she handles A1. Chances are Opera will run in the upcoming bags competition.
Tuesday 12th
A very good trial session for us with all 8 dogs going well.
Hey Diego recorded a fastest of the day 28.99. Recent arrival, Southern Angel, really impressed with her 16.49 sprint effort and looks a nice prospect. Unraced pups, Wagama (17.35) and Nickys Love (16.92) both chased well and will be stepped up to four bends next week. Rainham Chris (16.50) and Gortkelly Hudini (16.90) both continued their comebacks.
Laurels 3rd, Taranis Rex, was given his first spin after a couple of months break and moved well to post a fastest of the day 16.31.
Recent arrival, Tibetan Skies, was a little slowly into stride but flew off the 2nd bend to post a good 16.36.
Wednesday 13th
Slippery Patch took advantage of a drop in class to win the 509m open race at Swindon this evening in great style. Poorly housed in trap 6, patch showed great track craft to stay out wide at the bend and flew down the back to take the lead up before running right away on the run in.
Droopys Harper ran with real credit in the 685m open. He worked hard to hit the front at the 5th bend before just tiring coming home to finish 2nd.
Thursday 14th
Alarming Jacks ran a superb race to win her bitches maiden open at Hove tonight. She was a little slowly into stride but flew to the bend and was very brave to take the lead up before stretching right away down the back straight to win well in a very good 29.94. She'll now be given a couple of A1's at Swindon in order to qualify her for the upcoming Bags competition.
Barnish Booth and Forest Mollie both ran well enough to finish 3rd in their races. Mollie doesn't seem to suit the big gallop of Hove and she'll be moved to a tighter track next time.
Friday 15th
Two winners from today's meetings at Swindon.
Scobys Flash just got the better of Vevas Tiger down the back straight as she went on to win her A3 nicely. Sligo Mick broke well and led all the way to win his A2 in good style.
We were out of luck at Romford as Jolly Fagan and Gemstone Annie both got trouble. Five Alley Pub and Ding Hero both ran well in defeat though as they finished 3rd.
Saturday 16th
Firstly to Crayford where Crinkill Jewel and Pony Bride were in the Golden Jacket Final. Both the girls ran their hearts out for us to finish a close up 3rd and 4th. Pony Bride flew home after crowding at the third bend and was a shade unlucky not to get up for 2nd place. Crink's ran a very good race to finish 4th but once the favourite got out on the bunny it was always going to be virtually impossible to get by him. It was a great achievement for the kennel though to qualify 2 dogs for a category 1 final and marks a great start to the year for us.
We were out of luck at Coventry in the evening as we had 3 beaten favourites. Swords Brett was slowly in to stride and got very badly crowded on the 2nd and his race was over.
Jolly Bullseye got done straight out the boxes which effectively ended his chances. The dog inside of him is clearly a middle runner and was poorly seeded on the rails. Jolly won't be returning to Coventry again and will be given one more race somewhere else before heading to Wimbledon for a trial.
Swords Messi flopped out the boxes but flew to the bend and just got his head in front at the third bend but had done a lot of running to get there and faded away to finish 3rd.
We had a fairly good night at Swindon though as we managed a couple of winners.
I was delighted to see Mullingar Mer get her head in front for the first time since suffering a very bad fall at Coventry a few months back. She showed good pace to lead at the 2nd bend before going on to beat kennel mate, Inismore Impact by a couple of lengths in 28.96. Hopefully this would have done her confidence some good.
Gurrane Rocket won at the first time of asking for us as he led all the way to win his A1 by 1 length in 28.89. Rocket was very determined and did well to hold the strong running Ardmayle Mohamed off the last bend. Rocket is a lovely dog in the kennel, a real gentleman, and has some lovely early pace. He'll be a very good addition to the team.
Tibetan Skies impressed in a pre race trial as he beat kennel mates, Swift Volvo and Active Lark by over 10 lengths in a good 28.45. He'll more than likely head to Hove to complete his qualifying trials.

In other news...
We've just secured a deal to bring a highly promising dog to the kennel who's just competed in the final of the big unraced stake at Clonmel and he's been purchased with a view to being a competition dog. He's a marvellous prospect and more details will follow in a couple of weeks when he's offered for sale.

Week Ending 10th February

Tuesday 5th
9 dogs were sent to Swindon for trials today and it was a fairly good session.
Mullingar Mer looked a little bit like her old self as she posted 29.23. Panthers Legend (29.45), Gurrane Rocket (28.93), Billyboy (30.22) and Glendine Girl (29.74) all joined the strength.
Rainham Chris had his first workout for a couple of months and went well enough to post 16.47. Jolly Fagan pleased us with his 16.26 trial and he'll probably head to Romford for a race next week. Gortkelly Hudini (16.90) and Swift Volvo (16.90) both went OK.
Wednesday 6th
One winner from this evening's meeting as Inismore Impact won his A2.
Thursday 7th
No luck tonight with our 6 runners at Hove. Alarming Jacks ran very well in her maiden and was unlucky to come up against a top class pup in Droopys Odelle. She won't be far away next time.
Swords Brett and Forest Mollie both ran well enough in defeat.
Friday 8th
A couple of winners from the meeting's at Swindon today.
Gemstone Billy made it two wins on the trot as he won his S2 in good style. Billy paced up well and always looked handy enough to win and he came through on the run in to score.
Fishersmans Leah won at the 2nd time of asking since returning from a rest as she won her A3.
Saturday 9th
We'll start with a brilliant day at Crayford as we managed 2 winners from 4 runners and qualified 2 dogs for the £15,000 Golden Jacket final. Ding Hero contested the lead in his semi final for a long way but we always looked in trouble as he couldn't get clear and was picked up on the run in by kennel mate, Pony Bride, for the all important qualifying spot. I don't think the going on the rails was too good and this didn't help Ding's cause but Pony Bride has run a terrific race to qualify and deserves her final spot. Crinkill Jewel is improving all the time and turned handy in her semi final to Bubbly Swallow and led on the run in to win in good style. She loves Crayford and won't be without a chance in the final. We're all buzzing to have two in such a prestigious category one final and win lose or draw we'll enjoy the day.
Saleen Tompajoe won his 380m hurdle race as he pinged the lids and led all the way. This fella is a good class hurdler having reached the Grand National final in Ireland last year. His main targets will be the Hurdle competition at Coventry in March and the English Grand National.
We were out of luck at Swindon in the evening as we didn't manage a single clear run with any of our 6 runners.
Sunday 10th
A trip to Sittingbourne tonight with 3 runners. Jolly Bullseye was the star of the show as he overcame a slow break with a brilliant burst of early pace to lead at the bend. He flew down the back and stayed every yard of the 480 to win in a very good 28.89. He'll head to Coventry next week and has the Wimbledon Sky night on his agenda.
Droopys Danneel was desperately unlucky in her 500m race as she was taken out to the hare rail all the way to the bend by the wide running 4 dog ans then got a clout at the bend and turned in to the back straight stone last. She's flown down the back and come home strongly to finish 2nd. She'll probably be given a week off before heading to Hove for a trial.
Five Alley Pub ran well to finish 2nd in his 642m race.

Week Ending 3rd February

Monday 28th
Smoothoppa Razor provided us with our winner today as she pegged back kennel mate Active Lark on the 3rd bend to win by 1/2 a length in 29.08. Opera is a lovely bitch who should continue to improve and all being well she'll have a good 2013.
Tuesday 29th
Swords Brett was given a solo trial this morning as he returned from a split web and moved well to post a fastest of the day 28.63. He'll head to Coventry at the weekend.
Youngster, Panthers Legend, went well in her first mixed trial for us as she won by 12 lengths in 29.40. She'll need a few graded races to begin with but we're hopeful she'll be contesting puppy opens soon enough.
Gemstone Jack completed his clearing trials today as he came from last to first to beat Droopys Danneel by 1 3/4 lengths in 28.84. Danneel has had a very easy couple of weeks as she's been down with a touch of the sickness so this blow out would have done her good. It's been a similar story for Alarming Jacks so her 29.10 was a good effort. Recent arrival, Gurrane Rocket, flew the lids to record a 2.34 sectional and stopped the clock at 29.08. Rocket is a lovely dog and will probably be given a few graded races to begin with.
Mullingar Mer was given a solo after being distracted last week and went well enough to record 29.39. Titch wouldn't have liked the bottomless going on the day so this wasn't a bad effort. Billyboy had his first ever 4 bend trial and led all the way as he posted 30.71.
Unfortunately our sprinters missed out as the hare broke down after just a couple of sprint trials.
Wednesday 30th
Two winners and a couple of 2nds from tonight's meeting. Sparkem Out led around the last bend to win her A3 in good style in 29.33 and Sligo Mick led all the way in his A2 to win well in 29.05. Winetavern Tadgh, Keeperhill Hawk and Witcombe Lady all ran well in defeat.
Thursday 31st
Chilli Hot Sauce made a winning come back after a 6 month break as she pinged the lids and led all the way in her maiden sprint open. It was a really good effort by her to win after such a long break and she'll be stepped up in trip after another sprint or two.
Forest Mollie and Gemstone Meg were both out of luck in their races as they both got plenty of crowding. Both will head back to Hove again next week for another go though.
Jolly Bullseye again ran a superb race in defeat after showing huge pace down the back to go a couple of lengths clear, he was just caught out on the run in and beaten in a photo. The 515m just seems a little to far and he'll be dropped back in trip and will head back to Sittingbourne next week.
Slippery Patch ran a very good race in defeat in his first race for a while. He broke well but was crowded early on as the one dog moved middle but Patch stayed on well to finish 2nd.
Friday 1st
A couple of winners from today's meetings at Swindon.
Razor Titantic won his heat of the A3 bonus series in good style and will be joined in next week's final by kennel mate Der Lone Razor.
Gemstone Billy ran a very decent race to lead near the line in his A3. Billy has been  much improved of late and rarely runs a bad race.
Saturday 2nd
A busy day for the kennel with meeting's at Swindon, Crayford and Coventry to cover.
Firstly to Crayford for the heats of the Golden Jacket over 714m.
Ding Hero won his heat in game style as he just got the better of an early battle with Blonde Reagan and went on to score well. He'll be joined in next week's semi finals by Pony Bride and Crinkill Jewel who qualified from their heats.
We very much had a bout of seconditis at Coventry as all 3 of our runners finished with the silver medal. Swords Brett, Messi and Barnish Booth all ran well in defeat though.
Over at Swindon, Gemstone Jack won at the first time of asking since his clearing trials as he took the top heat in great style.
Chilli Spring led all the way in her A5.
Sunday 3rd
Droopys Danneel made it 4 wins out of 4 for the kennel as she won a £500 memorial race at Sittingbourne. Dani was again fearless at the bend as she took the lead and once she's in front it would take a special dog to beat her.