15th April 2016

No surprise, another wet day!

We schooled Legal Exit, Very Intense, Adeenne Des Sevres, Furiously Fast, Kimberlite Candy and Cuirassier Dempire. All the others had routine canters. Frank set off up to Ayr with Man O’ Words who runs in the bumper there tomorrow. I think they missed the rain showers that was forecast and expect a cold night. Tomorrows forecast up there is bright with decent winds so we could get genuine good to soft ground. Although, his pedigree would suggest he wants better ground I think good to soft is going to be his ground. He should like the track and I’m very hopeful of a good run. He’s gone there in good spirits. It is always high risk sending a horse so far away, no one can account for how they will take the journey, he is a good traveller and one I was happy to take that risk with. He is by Scorpion and although Scorpion is struggling commercially I wouldn’t write him off. He’s covered some quality mares and we may not have seen the best of his stock yet. I would train them all day long. Many stallions have trodden Scorpion’s path and come out the other sire to be classed as some of the best NH stallions of their time. It can take a long time to make a stallion, if their 1^st crop of 4 year olds aren’t precious they are written off all too soon. Milan being a perfect example of a stallion who struggled in his early days.

The entries for the DBS bumper at Exeter on Thursday are strong, although many, I think are unqualified. I always beat myself up when I enter a horse that isn’t qualified yet many more experienced trainers seem to make the same mistake. Triopas will take his chance if the ground is good. Chase End Charlie will also be aimed there if the rain stays away. Neal, Heather and Ollie were here this evening to see their horses.