January round up.

After a quiet few months of the season, January has seen the team burst into form.

Good Friday Fairy has made a bright start to his chasing career, not being out the first 3 in all 4 starts this season and winning on 2 of those occasions at Fontwell & Uttoxeter. Now he is beginning to relax a little more we will soon be stepping him up in trip.

Ooh Betty has had a wonderful season up to this point winning 3 times. She won a maiden hurdle at Ludlow, a novice hurdle under a penalty at Uttoxeter then bolted up in a mares handicap at Hereford. I was excited for her to take her chance at the Lingfield Winter Millions weekend in a class 2 £37,500 mares novice hurdle. I was excited to see her back over 2 miles as she shows plenty of speed and she ran a cracker, finishing 2nd only being denied in a photo finish. However this was overturned on the day with the race day stewards deeming interference had cost our mare the result having only been beaten a nose. Joy turned to immense frustration as an appeal from the opposing horse was successful, demoting us back to 2nd. My opinion hasn’t changed throughout this – we were bumped twice then tightened up on the line, anybody with a sane mind can see that is enough to cost us 2 inches! However I’m incredibly proud of the performance of Ooh Betty and we now look forward to some exciting days coming up.

Bobalot bounced back to form with an authoritative victory at Fontwell under Tom Bellamy. Hugely frustrating horse as he has a lot of ability but his brain isn’t always engaged! After 2 chase starts this autumn it became evident he was seeking a return to the smaller obstacles. He was certainly happier back over hurdles and won with something to spare. He will most likely return to Fontwell in a fortnight for a similar race.

Risk De Pluie made an instant impact on rules debut making all the running and winning cosily in the 2mile 3f novice hurdle at Fontwell under Tom Bellamy. He’s been with us 6 weeks having bolted up in a PtP for Stuart Payne and has impressed with everything we’ve asked of him. By No Risk At All and being a half brother to a 130 rated juvenile of Willie Mullins he ticks a lot of boxes. We will plot sensibly for the next month or so before having a crack at something valuable in the spring.

Cast’s Tasha deservedly got her head back in front at Ffos Las on Thursday under Tom Bellamy. She’s been placed 3 times this season over hurdles so I was delighted to see her win again this time on chasing debut. She jumped fluently before pricking her ears and idling in front. She’ll likely head to Lingfield in a few weeks for a mares handicap chase. Super consistent, tough mare who will continue to be very competitive.

Miss Hunky Dory, Blue Moon Serenade, Endless Escape have all been placed on their latest starts and also been running very nicely.

We have plenty of entries for February and possible big race runners with Ooh Betty in the £50k Grade 2 Jane Seymour mares novice hurdle at Sandown, and The Galloping Bear having another crack at the £80k Eider chase at Newcastle having finished a gallant 2nd last season.