Week Ending 14th July

Tuesday 9th
We had 7 for trials this morning at Swindon. Gemstone Meg pleased us with her 41.93 solo 6 bend spin and she'll hopefully run on Produce final night in the maiden stayers.
Active Lark returned to the graded strength after her 29.73 effort.
Tibetan Skies was disappointing as he only posted 29.29 in his first trial since returning from a groin strain. He'll have another trial next week where we hope to see plenty of improvement.
Slippery Patch moved very well in his first sprint trial since a lay off as he beat Southern Angel by 2 lengths in a fast 16.27. This was also a very good run from Angel as she's been off with a shoulder problem.
Droopys Danneel returned from seasonal rest to post a very good 16.32. She'll have another sprint next week before being stepped up. She has the Brighton Belle and English Oaks as her main targets before heading off to the breeding paddocks.
Stanton John posted 16.43 as he looks to come back from a series of niggling injuries. John is a really nice type who should make top grade at Swindon easily enough but we've just had no luck with him so far. Touch wood his problems are behind him now though.
Wednesday 10th
Just the one winner tonight at Coventry as Hey Diego beat kennel mate Stanton Apollo in the A1. Gelert was quickly into stride and led all the way to win by 3 lengths in a good 29.35. We were very pleased with Apollo's run though and he's coming back to form nicely now.
Swords Messi and Nickys Love ran well in defeat.
Thursday 11th
Harmar Superstar maintained his 50% open race strike rate as he won one of the Sussex Cup trial stakes in 30.35. He's a really good genuine dog this and he should continue to improve.
Gemstone Jack, Witcombe Dilemma and Mr Van Persie were all out of luck in their races.
Friday 12th
The main event this evening was our trip to Dundalk with Screen Critic for the Dundalk International race. It turned out to be a messy affair and our chance was gone after being forced to check at the bend but Batman ran on well enough and came out the race in good order. It was a great experience to be involved in such a prestigious race and I learnt a lot from the experience of having our first runner in Ireland. We spent the day with Paddy Kehoe who breeds the Forest dogs and took the chance to see our 2 pups that we have out there. They are 2 blue bitches by Droopys Scolari x Forest May. We've got Taranis Diva from May's previous litter and I've been really pleased with her so thought it was well worth snapping a couple of the next litter up. One of them has just begun schooling and has gone very well.
Over at Swindon we had 2 winners on the afternoon Bags card. Der Lone Razor won his A3 in good style in 29.22 while Alarming Alan made it two wins on the trot as he won his A2 by 2 lengths in 29.12.
At the evening meeting, Forest Bound made it 3 wins from 5 starts since joining the kennel as won the A1 in impressive fashion. Freddie has been staying the 480m trip very strongly and he led on the run in to win in a personal best 28.79. He's a lovely dog to have in the kennel and is still young enough to think there is more improvement to come. Hopefully we'll find him a race on Produce final night.
Saturday 13th
Just the one winner at Swindon as Allen Buttercup produced her best performance so far as she led all the way in the A1 to win by 3/4 of a length in a personal best 28.92. She has a lovely turn of early and has won 2 of her 7 UK races.
Sunday 14th
A rare trip to Henlow was rewarded with 2 winners from our 2 runners.
Gurrane Rocket ran the track superbly as he won the sprint open. Rocket Man is not really a sprinter but he's been left desperately short of races at both Swindon and now Coventry so we've just needed to find some races for him. He'd be a really good little dog with some consistent runs but it was great to get this win for his very patient owners.
Airport Captain made it through to the Gold Cup final as he won his semi final in great style. Captain flew the lids and led all the way to win by 5 lengths in a very good 33.29. We've a nice draw in the final and we'd have a great chance of winning with a decent break. I'd imagine he'd head to Romford for the Champion Stakes next as he looks the ideal type.