Inaugural runs at Kempton in the 8.00 pm off a rating of 75 in a three year old Handicap. He has always been a very laid back character in his work at home, but he did run well on his second start to finish 4^th at Newbury to be beaten four lengths. On his last start at Newbury he was unsuited to the very soft ground.

Top Trail (USA) returns to Wolverhampton today to run in the 4.40 pm having won her maiden race there twelve days ago. It is virtually impossible to assess that performance as she beat a 47 rated horse by 4 1/2 lengths but with ease. This was pretty worthless form and it cannot have been easy for the handicapper to give her a rating. Today’s race is more competitive and her rating at 68 is probably about right.

The weather continues to be very tough on everyone with temperatures barely lifting above freezing most days and accompanied with a bitter Siberian blast from the east. Most of the horses have been able to do plenty of cantering on the woodchips and polytrack and occasionally the grass has been fit to use. It seems to be more difficult than normal to get the horses fit as I don't like pushing them too hard in cold weather. In an average Spring the horses would have done more fast work on the grass and they should by now have shed most of their winter coats but most of them are still looking a bit shaggy. I don't think we are likely to have any runners at the Craven meeting in ten days time unless Dundonnell (USA) runs in The Craven Stakes but I would prefer to go more locally to the Greenham Stakes at Newbury as long as the ground isn't too slow. He has done really well during the long winter and grown to 16.1.75 hh and weighs over 500kg. I hope we will have several runners at Newbury if their work goes according to the script next week.

Our New Website is very nearly ready with just a few more tweaks still needed and includes much more information on the Horses In Training with photographs, pedigrees and write-ups on each horse and a link to the Sporting Life.com for their form and videos of their races. 

Dundonnell (USA)

Cry Fury is our only runner over the weekend and goes to Kempton for the Rosebery at 2.55 pm. He won over course and distance as a three year old and as a result started rather high in the handicap. He has decent form and was perhaps unsuited by the undulations of Epsom when he last ran in June 2012. On that occasion he was short of room but only beaten 4 ½ lengths by Gatewood. Unfortunately he met with a training set back and missed the rest of the year and I would imagine that he is likely to benefit from today’s race; being drawn wide would also not be in his favour. As a lightly raced five year old he should be competitive during the year in Heritage Handicaps between ten and twelve furlongs.

CRY FURY

It was great to get the season off with a winner at Wolverhampton courtesy of Top Trail (USA). It is fair to say that it was probably one of the weaker contests run this year but none the less she won in good style and it will be interesting to see how the handicapper assesses the race.

Walking Home 2nd lot

A relaxing walk home

Top Trail (USA) runs this evening at 6.20 PM in a six furlong maiden at Wolverhampton. In her only start in October she was beaten six and a half lengths at Kempton, but she was staying on and the race has subsequently produced five winners including Tartary. Like most of my runners I hope that she will improve as the season progresses. Her sire Exchange Rate (USA) is doing well in America and he is the sire of Reckless Abandon, last years Middle Park winner.

Seymour Place ran quite well last night to finish fourth in a weak race, as expected she ran fairly green but she should improve.  We are likely to have very few runners until turf racing gets properly underway in mid April. 

Seymour Place makes her debut at Kempton this evening in the 6.30 pm a maiden race for fillies over six furlongs.  She is a half sister to the admirable Definightly who has been such a consistent horse for his owner/breeder Simon and Rosalind Emmet.  She did not come into training until mid season last year and still lacks experience.

Sibaya had a nice introduction at Lingfield yesterday to finish fourth of four but only beaten a length and a half. She showed her inexperience but the last furlong was her best furlong running on well to the line. With a bit of luck she should be capable of winning a similar race in due course.