Just returning from Doncaster Sales having spent 2 days searching for the next superstars. The market seems to be holding up well and there was definitely some good value to be had. We managed to buy 2 colts and two fillies who will appear in video form together with their pedigree's on our horses for sale page in near future

The weather forecasters are nearly as bad a trainers getting it right, plenty of rain turning the ground at Salisbury soft so Skyrider was withdrawn.  The BBC weather map also suggested that Sandown would also get plenty of rain today but they missed out, so Avertor looks doubtful tomorrow as he needs ''a cut in the ground''.  I should of  double declared him at Bath on Saturday evening, a weaker race and 6 furlongs probably more suitable.  Unfortunately there is a big fine...I think £600 plus which is a bit over the top imo. The owners yet again paying for everything. I hope that one day his owner/breeder will be rewarded as he was with his close relations Patavellian and Avonbridge.

Skyrider has been running consistently well but unfortunately without winning and she remains a maiden. Ted Durcan who rode her last time suggested that she would stay a mile and a half but todays race seems to have a few "improvers" in it but lets hope she can win.

PROPONENT ran yet another sound race to be 3rd, staying on in another valuable and competitive handicap, he remains very consistant.  His next race is most likely to be the Cambridgeshire, a fast run 9 furlongs ought to suit him as long as the ground doesn't get too slow. He has all ready won an heritage handicap over course and distance. It's a very hard race to win unless you have an improving horse and the expression of needing a Group horse in a handicap, often applies to the Cambridgeshire, for example Blue Monday.

 

Proponent has been a wonderfully consistent horse who always tries hard but as a consequence  has always been fully assessed by the handicapper.  He ran particularly well in the Hunt Cup and again at Goodwood in the Totesport Mile but from a bad draw, he also met interference up the straight.  He is being ridden by Richard Hughes for the first time who in the past has ridden lots of good winners for me so lets hope we can collect another nice prize.

After a rather frustrating wait for the break in the weather we were able to work some of the more backward and immature 2 year olds on the 'trial grounds' this morning.  The going was perfect and it was great to see the young horses working in groups upsides over 6 furlongs, Steve Drowne rode a colt called Sergeant Troy for the first time who pleased him.  He should be ready to run shortly over 7 furlongs, he's by Aussie Rules (a first season sire) who won the French 2000 for Aiden O'Brian and he has made a good start getting plenty of winners.  I haven't spotted a 'star' yet but there a few that will improve and do well in 2011.  Some of  the fillies have exciting pedigrees including a Motivator half sister to the amazing Attraction called Federation....

LOVE MATCH  ran another consistant race to be beaten less than 2 lenghts.  The race was slowly run which didn't suit her style, but she's tough and earning her keep.  She is due to go the December Sales (breeding stock) at Newmarket and she will go with my recommendation as she by a great sire Danehill Dancer and she is very good looking, she also has a sweet temperament. Steve Drowne thought that she would win another race. 

Love Match has had a nice break since her last race at Salisbury when she ran behind a good filly "Field Day" of Brian Meehan's who was unlucky not to win a Group race in Deauville at the weekend.  William Buick rode her that day and said she definitely did not stay a mile so todays trip should suit her better.

Walcot Square returned from Kempton with a rather sore shin which was a bit surprising at his age. He perhaps travelled a bit too well and did not seem to quite get home, maybe 7 furlongs on a faster surface in a true run race will suit him in the future, but who knows. I am sure he is capable of winning a race when the conditions are right.

Walcot Square had some good form as a two year old and I thought his comeback race at Kempton was most encouraging when he was beaten by Hypnotized who has subsequently done well. In his last race at Newmarket he got a little tired and the ground was too slow for him, so granted luck in running I am expecting him to run well today.