8th November 2016

What a week of news in the racing industry and sadly, not the type of news anyone wants to read.

Chase End Charlie and Amalfi Doug have come out of their runs in good order.

This morning, those horses with entries at the weekend breezed through on the woodchip, others put in hard yards around the sand before cantering up the woodchip.  It has been one of those days when I just haven’t caught my breath. In amongst everything else we had the clippers running from 8 O’clock this morning until 5 tonight.

It was great to see Max Ward back in the winner’s enclosure today after 2 years off with injury. Max Ward was everyone’s favourite here, he has such character and always had class. He was the first horse I sold him to Neal and Heather after he had disappointed in 2 bumpers through immaturity. I always knew he had bags of ability and as he matured he went on to prove it. He won for us at Taunton and Aintree. At Huntingdon, he gave Parlour Games 7lbs and ran him to a length and a half. He was second in the summer hurdle behind Purple Bay where he picked up his injury. The form was in the book and todays display showed he hasn’t lost too much of his natural ability. I hope his legs are good in the morning and he picks up a nice prize somewhere this season.

Loug Derg Leader heads to Bangor tomorrow up in trip on softer ground, it is competitive enough contest and anyone of 4 could win it.

The handicapper gave New Member 127, he must be on drugs, if jockeys are randomly tested, I think handicapper should be too. How he has come to that conclusion is beyond me, It would be very nice if he has it right, if he hasn’t it will take 2 years to get him down to where I think he should be.