We thankfully made it through last week and everything is now back to normal. It was only due to the hard work of all my staff and the employees of the Jockey Club Estates that we were able to exercise the horses daily and their efforts were greatly appreciated by myself and Becky. It looks like milder weather will now kick in although it could be wet throughout much of the next two weeks. We look like running quite a few horses over the next week and the majority are having their first run back of the campaign. It is not long now until the start of the turf and it is an exciting time for us all.
Dark Red is our first of two runners this evening and he is making his seasonal debut in a strong looking 10f handicap at Kempton. The 5:40 looks to be all about Star Archer as far as the betting markets are concerned and he is an improving horse with a tall reputation. All of our rivals are race fit and have been running over the Winter which will count against us but Dark Red is fresh and well and I hope he can run respectably. Intrepidly has won around Kempton and ran well again there when missing the break by several lengths so he should run a big race. Kyllachy Gala is consistent but even with a claimer onboard who is value for his seven pounds, it is hard to see him beat types who could have more improvement in them. Pactolus is a solid yardstick who looks exposed and Fire Fighting will start to fire at some stage but he has looked out of sorts recently.
Grandscape runs in a strong looking 1m Novice contest at 6:40. Herecomesthesun is Listed placed and with her yard in good form she looks like the most likely winner. There are a couple of well-bred sorts who make their debuts, Lovely Approach should step forward from a promising first effort, Lawn Ranger is a winner who was a god second next time and Braemar has scope to improve. Our horse has shown ability on both of his starts but on what he has shown so far he would need to take a big step forward to be involved in the finish this evening.