MORE PHOTOS FROM ARCTIC.

We freely admit that we have so far got off so lightly compared to other parts of the country. Life is cold and inconvenient in Oxfordshire, but nothing like as dreadful as in Yorkshire and Scotland. Our horses trotted indoors on tuesday but were back to normal cantering exercise yesterday as we have missed out on the snow to very large extent. Martin Archer spends hours on the tractor to keep the gallop in good order, while John and Daniel, a new member of our ground team are salting the yards to avoid accidents.

COIS FARRAIG's win at Newbury last week, fantastic that it was, seems an aweful long time ago already! It will be a quiet weekend and we hope for resumption of N.H. racing next week, but in the meantime it's the usual winter routine.

BRRRRRRRR..........

BLUE WITH COLD AT CROPREDY LAWN !!!

Not a good day. Two runners left yesterday for Kelso, because the races looked just right for both of them. Ku and I got home an hour ago and the horsebox has finally completed the 320 miles home after the A1 was closed. We jog the horses up the yard when they get home, to check how they are, but tonight there is only one to trot up.
MRS. TRELLIS jumped the hurdle fine, but two strides later she went 'wrong behind'. Dominic Elsworth hopped off her straight away and held her tight. We got to her as soon as we could and the tremendous Kelso veterinary team had the situation in complete control. 'MRS. T.' has a very serious pelvic fracture and the only and kindest thing to do, was to set her on the quickest and least stressful path to horse heaven. Jeremy Dougall, Liz Clark, Willie Watt and I bred and owned this mare together and have all been so damn patient to give her every chance and then this lightening bolt from the sky takes her out.
There is nothing worse for a yard than when a horsebox comes home a little bit 'empty'. Poor Amy, who has always 'done' this filly, is going to miss her badly and it's a long, sad day for even wonderfully experienced and grown-up men like Jerry Walsh and Alistair Stewart. But we all have three runners tomorrow to hope for and look forward too. Maybe these will help banish the thoughts that will spring to mind for quite a little while, as everybody walks past 'MRS. T.'s' old stable. It is for Jem, Liz and Willie that we feel most sorry and upset for, as more patient and understanding owners and 'partners', you could not find.

STILL FOR SALE.... STILL FOR SALE.... STILL FOR SALE.... STILL FOR SALE.... STILL FOR SALE........

No apologies for putting up another picture of TINDARO. He's settled in very well and has the most perfect temperament. He's a very good mover and each moment resembles AUSTRALIA DAY more and more. Unless somebody snaps him up in the next few days, we intend to syndicate him in 10 shares. The price of a 1/10th share will probably be £7,000 + v.a.t. and this will include his purchase, shipping from France and insurance. Come on, "ROLL UP" and give me a call.

FOR SALE......FOR SALE......FOR SALE.......FOR SALE.......FOR SALE..

Just arrived this afternoon from yesterday's Arqana sale at Saint Cloud is Lot 13, TINDARO (FR).

He is a 3.y.o. grey gelding by Kingsalsa - Star's Mixa (Linamix). He has run eleven times, winning twice and being placed a further six times. His last win, two starts ago, was in a highly competitive Tierce Handicap over 1m. 2+f. at Saint Cloud, where he came from last to first. He looks an absolute star 'dual-purpose' horse and does he not have the look of a certain Australia Day ? I paid 65,000 Euro for him 'on spec', so you can tell how much we loved him when Ku and I saw him in Chantilly, a week before the sale. He stands a fraction under 16.1 hands but has the scope to grow another inch in time. He is a lovely well-balanced mover with great limbs and a lovely temprament.
HE has it all.......in order for YOU to have HIM all......Just call ME, (A.S.A.P.!).

Well, TIME FOR RUPERT came through Cheltenham yesterday with flying colours. When you watch the replay, you really wonder at why we got so nervous and worried, as 'RUPERT' and Will Kennedy put in a faultless round together. They know each other so well and look to have great faith in their partnership. What i admire is 'RUPERT's' determination and willingness to eye up and then attack that Cheltenham hill.
SCAMPI BOY's run was disappointing and puzzling, i have no answers yet but have a sneaking feeling that he is not suited by the track and should run next on a flat track. DANVILLA was unlucky as her effort was left a bit late, but she did also hang right a little and may be better suited by a return to Kempton.
EDGBRIAR has a mountain to climb this afternoon in The Paddy Power Chase. He has improved from his winning start at Cheltenham last month and with a 8lbs rise in the weights, he have to have done and more. I hope the ground has not softened too much, but feel that he'll run a big race, but he could do that and still finish fifth today!

When I buy a young unraced horse, a question i always ask myself is, 'Could you see this horse galloping up the hill a Cheltenham?' When we bought TIME FOR RUPERT in December 2007, it was not difficult to envisage him galloping up the hill as he's already 'breezed-up' it that morning before the sale! This is the day that God made RUPERT for, his first run over steeplechase fences. Although he has already proved himself to be a bit of a star, today is the day that will prove whether he can continue improving and become the top-class chaser we hope. This is the day we are ment to savour, but as the moment gets closer our nerves will struggle to hold and the binoculars are sure to be rather wobbly! As 'RUPERT' circles at the start, i will say to myself, 'why on earth to we do this?'
His preparation has gone very smoothly; a lesson with Yogi Breisner, two excellent schooling session by kind permission of Towcester Racecourse and a good piece of work on the Edgcote grass gallop last week. Having said all of that, 'RUPERT' will benefit from this race, as we are building him up towards the big targets of the season. I think he is fit enough to win if he is superior enough, but this could be in doubt as today's race is billed in the Racing Post as the best novice chase of the season!
Before 'RUPERT', we have another future star in his own right, SCAMPI BOY running in the handicap hurdle. He is also by Flemensfirth and is another chaser in the making. He ran really well when needing his first run of the season a month ago at Cheltenham and has come on plenty since then. It looks very competitive but we expect him to go very close. Don't let Cheltenham overshadow the All-Weather at Lingfield, where DANVILLA looks to follow up last week's win at Kempton. We think she's an improving filly who stays well and has a big chance today.
By 4.15pm this afternoon our finger nails will be well-chewed and nerves frayed to shreads, but I keep reminding myself that....It is for days like these that we all battle with this job !

The Three "A's" didn't quite 'bring home as much bacon' as hoped at the weekend, indeed with the shining exception of DANVILLA, it has been a slightly under-achieving three weeks. ALASI and APPLEADAY both ran perfectly respectable first races of the season and will both be close next time, indeed Mr. McCoy said, 'Iwould not be at all surprised if Apple won next time.' There you have it, straight from The Champion's mouth. AUSTRALIA DAY was never his rediculously mad self and his record-breaking excertions of Kempton had left a little scar. He is now on his holidays and will miss Cheltenham in the spring and be trained for a Maytime comeback, probably at Punchestown? DANVILLA romped home at Kempton and he hope the handicapper has not got her measure yet with a 7lbs. rise in the weights.
Hopefully the current tempest will relent later today and things wont be too miserable at Ludlow. CARBON PRINT would not appreciate too much rain but needs to run, RAJMAGAN will come on from his Kempton debut, while KEY CUTTER is our best chance in the handicap chase. He ran well on his first start over fences at Ludlow and has a good chance today, as long as the ground has not gone too soft.

We launch The Four "A's" today..... ALASI, APPLEADAY, AUSTRALIA DAY and A.P. McCOY!
A very big and important dawn has just arrived, along with the cameras from Sky Sports just to add to the tension, hype and pressure. All three horses have excellent chances, but AUSTRALIA DAY's manic style of racing always makes for nervous viewing. He broke the track record at Kempton last time and with two other front runners in this field, the Wincanton record may be in danger today. ALASI has thrived through the summer and looks to have strenghtened significantly. She is better off at the weights with Banjaxed Girl and is in tremendous form. We never seemed to have APPLEADAY quite right last season, but could never identify any reason for his below-par achievements. I'm sure this horse should be rated near 140 on everything we see at home and for some reason, again one i cannot put my finger on, he fills us with confidence at the moment. He has always run well at Sandown and i think he'll give 'A.P.' a great ride.

COIS FARRAIG ran a very pleasing race at Ascot on saturday, finishing third in a race that had very solid Cheltenham 2009 form all around it. The winner had been second at the festival as has the second, while the fourth had won there! Not bad for a Beginners Chase. 'FARRAIG' is a very serious horse for the future. GTAAB also ran a cracking race at Kempton yesterday, finishing a close fifth in a solid looking novice hurdle, he's really come on for his debut run at Plumpton and will continue to improve. Unfortunately he got 'struck into' behind, so may need three or four weeks before he can run back.
ASHAMMER has looked a total natural over fences and if he'd put his best foot forward, would win his first novice chase tomorrow at Warwick. He won on the bridle at Sedgefield, but inexplicably disappointed us at Wetherby last time. He does love jumping and hopefully the twelve fences of a novice chase will appeal to his 'sense of humour' more than the mere eight flights of a hurdle race......... is that 'clutching at straws' or what!
AUTUMN RED deserves to win a race nearly as much as his owner, Richard Dodson does. 'DAVE' has so much more ability than that we can extract from him on the racecourse, he's become a frustrating but loveable rogue! Tomorrow looks just ideal for him, but it is just plain upto him!

APPLEADAY in his new rug!

The Edgcote Grass Gallop.

Autumn at Cropredy Lawn.

After the terrific excitements of EDGBRIAR, AUSTRALIA DAY and FIRM ORDER winning on succesive days, it has been back to meagre reality for the last few days. LASKARI struck into himself below his left front joint at Aintree and is very lucky not to be heading into retirement just quite yet. Another couple of mm. deeper and it may have been curtains. He never looked happy on the softened ground and with the trainer at Stratford and both owners and jockey arriving late due to a horror accident on the M6, so unable to fully assess the conditions, it may have been a mistake to run. CITRUS MARK disappointed and has been found to have hurt his sacro-illiac joint quite badly. MARLEY ROCA was a little too keen, then outpaced and then stayed on again to be fourth, so ran a confusing type of race! KRISTALLO jumped well at Stratford yesterday, his first run over fences but was outpaced. He will win races on better ground, but that will mean waiting for next spring and summer, so he will now go the Doncaster November Sale next week. There he will be joined by ETERNAL CITY, who ran well for a long way to be third on his debut and only start at Ludlow last week and ROCKSTOWN who looked pretty one-paced today at Wetherby. In these days of paltry prize money for ordinary races, it's so important to be realistic and truthful with the owners of horses that will struggle badly to make significant contributions to their training costs. It may mean an empty stable of two, but it still has to be the correct approach.
One horse that I think will make tremendous contributions to his training bill is COIS FARRAIG who makes his chasing debut at Ascot tomorrow (sat.). We make no secret of how much we think of this horse and he schooled and worked very nicely with TIME FOR RUPERT at Towcester this monday. He will appreciate the slight step up in distance and will hopefully show himself to be way above average tomorrow.

The Record-breaking AUSTRALIA DAY in full flight at Kempton last sunday. Poetry in Motion.

We attempt to keep our current run of form going today at Stratford and Aintree. MARLEY ROCA has a much better chance than the papers surmise as he was nearly carried out by a loose horse last time. He has schooled very well for Sam Jones a couple of times since Bangor and looks in tremendous form. CITRUS MARK needed his race at Huntingdon much more than the trainer had estimated and i expect him to improve greatly today. He has an outside each-way chance. LASKARI runs in the Veteran's race at Aintree and is re-united with Dominic Elsworth, who knows him so well. I don't think this old (!) horse has ever been moving so well or in such fresh form, but he sure is going to need to be to successfully carry top weight. Nonetheless as long as ther is not too much more rain, he has a good each-way shout. ROCKSTOWN is a non-runner at Chepstow.

"SKIPPY" did it!
AUSTRALIA DAY broke the Kempton course record by 0.32secs, as it only took him 3.40.40 secs to fly around the track. It's difficult to evaluate this win as both Katchit and Noble Alan were not as 'ready' as "SKIPPY" and will no doubt have bigger days in the future, but all he could do was 'beat the clock'. To make all his own running and win by ten lengths, makes it a pretty remarkable performance. No predictions about winning Champion Hurdles from me, that it a very much more difficult mountain for him to climb. However, i feel he's earned the right to attend base camp and then see if the conditions are right for him to make an attempt on the summit.
RAJMAGAN needed his run more than expected, but SUSSEX SUNSET was in the process of running a super race when falling at the last. She has never gone that fast in her life, jumped the last a little too big and boldly and just could not organise her under-carriage in time! She had a pretty heavy fall but was unscathed, poor Denis O'Regan got a fair kicking, but thankfully eventually walked away. RED BIRR ran on from a hopeless position to finish fourth and now probably needs to step up in distance. So a bit of everything, but at least a wonderful winner!
GTAAB and FIRM ORDER set off for Plumpton any moment now, not a great journey from here on a monday morning. Dominic Elsworth has his second ride back on GTAAB who ran better than it appeared on the flat at Ascot after a two year absence. This horse enjoys his jumping and ought to go close in this moderate looking contest. FIRM ORDER is maturing and is ready to step up in trip, i just hope the track is not a little sharp for him. If he is able to travel comfortably enough through the race, he must have an excellent chance.

Sometimes it appears that there is a merciful God...... yesterday he showed his powers at Cheltenham. He combined with a brave horse and a very brave man to produce one of those moments that I think of all sports, National Hunt Racing is best at conjuring up.
The papers will have detailed the terrible head injury Dominic has overcome and he himself will bravely try to put this all in perspective by playing down his troubles, against the horrors of International disasters in Haiti and Pakistan. But no comeback is easy and all of us at Cropredy Lawn are so thrilled for him and will admit, very proud to have been able to help in some small way.
EDGBRIAR, or "Edgar Briar" as Derek Thompson managed to call him yesterday, looks to have thoroughly enjoyed his day and all the very special attention he was given! Charlotte Simms, who looks after 'TOBY' so devotedly, has enjoyed her day in the limelight that she so deserves and is so thrilled to see her horse's picture in the Racing Post. Plans for 'TOBY' are yet to made as although The Paddy Power is an obvious choice, i would think it a difficult task to 'double up' in that race, as the handicapper will no doubt have his hefty say! No horse has achieved this double since 2001, the paper tells me. The other thought is that TOBY may benefit from his races being spaced apart a little more than last year. Also his preference may be for better ground, so we may have to plan around a mid-winter break.
SCAMPI BOY also ran well yesterday and 'blew' for a good five minutes more than his mate TOBY. He did not have a smooth passage and also ran a bit keenly as he was feeling very fresh. He should be absolutely spot on next time.
To Kempton today and with a larger swarm of butterflies on board than usual! For one thing, The Fates were so kind yesterday that we know that They can desert us just as soon as they have arrived! Also AUSTRALIA DAY wears his heart on his sleeve every minute of the day and does everything absolutely flat-out with very little or even no margin for error. Everything is in his favour today and that only makes it even more nerve-wracking. He is a summer horse, so i hope that last night's frost has not depressed him; now you can see how i'm looking for ghosts! If all went smoothly, keep an eye on the Kempton 2 mile track-record being in danger.
RAJMAGAN makes his debut for us and has schooled exceptionly well (Fates listening?).
He'll need the experience but i expect him to leave his French form well behind. SUSSEX SUNSET also makes her hurdling debut; she has done two very good piece of work on the grass and also loves her jumping. Disregard her bumper run as she was barely ready to leave the yard that day! RED BIRR hacked up at Huntingdon two starts ago, but was dropped out too far out at Bangor last week and never really got involved. He will run alot better than that, as long as Sam Thomas can keep him interested but not too keen early on. It is a delicate balance to have this horse in the right place, but the small field and flat right-handed track will help his task.
Just watch out for those fickle Fates........ they are omni-present you know.

ICY COLT (ARG) going clear to win at Wetherby on wednesday.

ICY COLT winning this week gave us all particular pleasure. His owner, Robert Kirkland has not enjoyed the best of racing luck in recent seasons. He owned the promising Star Shot with us, who sadly went on a downward spiral after winning his bumper and novice hurdle impressively, even one of those 'Welsh Wizards' could get no tune from him! Then Robert had the real misfortune to loose a lovely horse, Pop, who was trained for him by Henry Daly.

Three days after i returned from Argentina, where i had just bought ICY COLT as a yearling at the Bullrich yearling sale in Buenos Aires, Robert stepped upto the plate and bought him off me. That was quite a leap of faith, as although Argentine horses are proven to be a great success all over the world, this idea of buying unbroken N.H. stores was a new one. This horse is six months younger than his contempories and so has needed the time to catch up. He has really begun to strenghten and thrive since the spring and has always loved jumping, something they never do in Argentina! He was quite impressive in a modest contest at Wetherby, but will only continue to improve and will develop into a decent novice chaser next season, on good ground.

We have our first two Cheltenham runners of the season today and think that both are fit enough to do themselves justice. EDGBRIAR is Dominic Elsworth's come-back ride after his fourteen month absence from the saddle due to a horrible head injury. These two have looked in tremendous form when schooling together in recent weeks and both look ready to go well! SCAMPI BOY has improved so much physically that he barely resmbles the horse we had in the spring. I hope he's leniently handicapped at this stage, but will improve for the run. In these competitive eighteen runner handicaps, we'd be pleased to be in the first five.

APPLEADAY auditioning for the lead in film version of "War Horse".
Veterinary science moves on apace and today we had the chance to use the "Over-land Scope" to check the horses' wind-pipe and breathing capability whilst actually galloping in their usual environment. We have told you of many occasions that runners have disappointed only for us to discover or not discover that they have a wind affliction. This machine can help us diagnose problems before they lead to racecourse disappointment.

Not the most productive trip to Bangor on saturday, to say the very least. RED BIRR rather 'missed the break' and failed to get involved at any stage of his race. He has done this before a couple of times on the flat and so it was not a surprise as his jockey was warned that this can happen. I think Sam was just a little over-confident having won so easily on him last time. Hopefully we can retrieve the situation at Kempton this sunday or Ludlow next week.
DE SOTO has decided that he's had enough of competitive racing and has been retired. Peter Deal and Mike Silver have very kindly given him to my Head Lad, Trevor Heath and his son Matthew, to hunt and point-to-point. We've had great days and 'nearly' days with this horse, and i still cannot believe that we got 360,000 guineas for him once! MARLEY ROCA was enjoying his chasing debut when he was very nearly carried-out by a loose horse, which unsettled his rhythm. Anyway he successfully completed his education and will go close next time.
We go back up the M1 today on another northern foray with ASHAMMER. We are not going as far north as his last race at Sedgefield and it shows in the more competitive nature of this race.
Right now there are no end of maiden hurdles but no novice ones except for a valuable one at Kempton and we're trying to build this horse's confidence with a gradual progression. He is top weight off 125, so has no easy task, but does seem to remain in excellent form. ICY COLT has improved for his first run of the season when third at Uttoxeter and should again reach the frame today.
This long day has already started with great excitement with the first visit to Cropredy Lawn by The Bicester with Whaddon Hounds, for about 13 years. It was wonderful to have first lot cantering up the hill, serended by the wonderful cry of a hunting pack. I guess the foxes were a little surprised, they've had it pretty easy around here in recent years, devouring our chickens at will!

What a frantic week, commuting between Cropredy and Newmarket yearling sales. As racing manager to H.R.H. Prince Faisal bin Salman, it's part of my job to help the Denford Stud team sell their yearlings. Thankfully the Denford draft is pretty high-class and basically sells itself most of the time. This week the four colts made a total of 1.14m guineas, not too bad in a market that is re-adjusting itself right now.
Our racecourse activity amounted to two seconds and two thirds from five runners. BLACK ANNIE needs to have her wind re-examined, despite already have had a hobday operation, as she does not seem to be getting home in her races in the successful manner she did earlier in the summer. KEY CUTTER ran and jumped very well in his first chase to be second. SPACE STAR ran as good as he is, at his advanced age. BACKFROMTHEBRINK seemed to lose his confidence in the same novice chase that AUTUMN RED was beaten a very frustrating 'head'.
We're trying to have a 'lovely day' at Bangor today with three hopes over fences. RED BIRR has a favourite's chance and remains in extremely fresh and fierce form. DE SOTO has to prove that he still loves the game enough to remain in training, but the way he was travelling so well when falling at Stratford last time, gave us plenty of encouragement. MARLEY ROCA has the most difficult task in a competitve novice chase and will definitely benefit from the race. I've always looked forward to the day this horse made his chasing debut, but i fear that he is one good gallop short. A clear round and a yellow or green rosette would do fine today!

STARS OF OUR OWNER'S DAY!

That's TIME FOR RUPERT and AUSTRALIA DAY, with of course, Danny H., Me, Trevor and Lou !

I'm sure you are all anxious to see more photographs from what was a really wonderful Owner's Day, but as i mentioned before we've had a few glitches recently. Also we are in the process of changing and updating this web-site and that has co-incided with a really frantic time at Cropredy Lawn.

This is also the time of year that both Trevor and Suzanne, so that's both Head Lad and Secretary, take their much needed and so enormously deserved two week holiday! That means that The Trainer really does have to multi-task, but thankfully we all know how good Men are at that! I have to admit that there is still some wierd part of my horseman's psyche that makes me really enjoy getting up early to feed the horses. There is a lovely calm to the start of the day, the problems have yet to manifest themselves and most importantly, the horses are pleased to see me, because i'm their Room Service waiter!

Every N.H. trainer in the land is excited at this time of year and is eulogising about the marvellous team of horses he has for the coming winter! We are delighted with our good start, highlighted by AUSTRALIA DAY winning one of the Summer Season's highlights at Market Rasen in July. This prompt start has been gently continued and then moved up a gear at Sedgefield yesterday with a double from our two runners, ASHAMMER and PENNY QUEEN. The last runner we had at this track unseated his rider at the second last, when looking pretty certain to win at odds of i think, 4/6. Remember the horse's name?...............that wonderful servant, BUCKBY LANE. Since then we have sent three horseboxes all the way to Sedgefield and racing has been abandoned on all three occasions!

Yesterday was a dream day, probably because Ku and I spent some reflective time at Rievaulx Abbey, which really does have to be seen to be believed, it's highly recommended. ASHAMMER hardly came off the bridle, whilst somehow Denis O'Regan got PENNY QUEEN rolling on down the hill, to get up in the last 100 yards. We hope that 'ASH' will progress from here, but as PENNY QUEEN is hopefully still in foal to Kayf Tara, her next appearance will be right-handed around the Doncaster Sales ring at the beginning of November!! The final achievement of the day was managing Sedgefield to Cropredy in 2hrs 55mins, my car is still blowing more than either of our runners!

Apologies for lack of updates recently, this is not due to writer's block or laziness, but web-site gremlins and the like. Can't get photographs published at the moment, very sorry.
Anyway, today you ask? GTAAB makes his debut for us in a competitive handicap. He is owned by a new partnership put together by David Higgins and David Barrie and will carry Higgy's brand new colours which are making their debut. It looked more sense to run this horse at Ascot, where many of his first-time owners could get a glance of him, rather than go for a 0-65 near John O'Groats. He's as fit as we can get him at home and has done two good pieces of work on Mr. Cundall's lovely grass gallop at Compton, so should be able to do himself justice. A top five finish is hoped for.
MEER UND WIND did not follow her narrow defeat on debut with any style last time out at Bath. The ground was very patchy that day, but i fear she does not need many excuses to put her off! The 9.15pm at Wolverhampton is not traditionally a 'hot' contest, so she had better show some ability and willingness tonight or else.................................

Bad luck struck at Stratford on saturday, with DE SOTO falling when travelling as well as he ever has, with a mile to go. He got 'a good kicking' while on the ground and has a bruised knee that has thankfully x-rayed clean. Sam Thomas was very happy with the way he was going and so let's hope he's back in action before too long. AUTUMN RED was only beaten a half length on sunday when finishing third at Worcester, where the ground had gone a bit too soft for him. He may benefit from wearing a tongue-tie next time?
The autumnal showery weather has a big effect on watered racecourse ground at this time of year and i hope it will not have gone too soft at Uttoxeter this afternoon. Just spoke to Charlie Moore who reports a further 1mm. of rain overnight, but insists that the hurdle track is still 'good'.
BLACK ANNIE has a favourite's chance in the first, but we know that she likes fast ground and i just hope that she is as effective on good. She remains in good form and schooled well yesterday with Johnny Bailey, who was preparing her for The Champion to ride today.
We are looking forward to KRISTALLO stepping up to three miles as the slower pace of the race may help him to travel easier. He has had a freshening break of 52 days as he seemed a little 'flat' last time.
JUST VICTOR has not been done any favours by the handicapper, who was quick to put him up for being second twice, but then did not drop him an ounce when he finished sixth. This looks a competitive race and i fear he'll run well, but find a couple too good at the weights.

DE SOTO runs at Stratford today and has to run well to prove that he still loves the game enough to remain in training. The rain that fell at Bangor did not suit him at all, so we forgive him that run. Sam Thomas, who was the first man to win on him, gets the ride today in order for us to get a 'second opinion' on the horse's ability and willingness. If the cheekpieces help and DE SOTO can travel on the bridle, he has a good each-way chance.

Obviously RED BIRR winning at Huntingdon was the highlight of our racing week, but these photographs illustrate a wonderful family outing we had to Goldford Stud. On a gorgeous day we went to pay tribute to two past heroines of Cropredy Lawn.
One Gulp and Swaythe were both lovely fillies in training and now they have developed into natural mothers.
Sophie is pictured holding One Gulp's first foal, a filly by Kayf Tara and she is now in foal to Yeats, how exciting is that! One Gulp is pictured below her foal.
Ku (partly hidden) is holding Swaythe's second foal, a colt by Kayf Tara. She already has a very strong
yearling colt by Presenting and is back in foal to him.
Both mares looked so well and happy and seeing them brought back memories of great days and few dreams of great days to be had with their babies?

To Huntingdon any minute now for a couple of runners in the first two races.
LAISH YA HAJAR has his first run over hurdles for quite a while but has a favourites chance in a weak-looking handicap hurdle. I do not consider him to be well-handicapped off 104 considering that he has been beaten 20ls, 31ls. and 43ls in his three starts over hurdles! Obviously the handicapper thinks he's better than he has shown, so let's hope he's correct. He schooled very well for Denis O'Regan last week and the quick ground should be ideal.
RED BIRR was second last time out at Worcester and was put up 6lbs in the handicap for finishing a length behind a 66/1 winner. I felt this was hardly fair as he is still to win over hurdles or fences? He always runs best after a break, but we cannot wait for months while the training bills mount up so quickly. The track, ground and competition look about right, so let's hope that he'll cope with running back after only 13 days.

AUSTRALIA DAY ran as well as he could at Sandown and was only beaten 4 1/2 lengths in the end. It is tough for him in the top class handicap grade now, so he'll be freshened up for a return to hurdles at Kempton in mid-October.

The highlight of last week was the re-appearance of Dominic Elsworth in the yard. Dominic suffered a very serious head injury at Ffos Las, almost exactly a year ago. He has endured months of very slow recovery but is now making tremendous progress. This photo of him schooling Laish Ya Hajar last autumn, illustrates just some of his enormous talent. Although not leaving the ground over obstacles yet, Dominic rode three lots and looked in excellent form. It was impossible to tell that he has been away all this time, although we've missed him greatly. We all look forward to his racecourse return as soon as he and his doctors are happy.

DANVILLA runs in a competitve Maiden Fillies race at Kempton this afternoon. She has been green and backward but showed some promise last time at Windsor. She was beginning to stay on when she was impeded by a horse 'breaking down' in front of her which hampered her considerably. I fear things will happen a bit quick for her on the All-Weather today, but hope to see her staying on.

DE SOTO........."Didn't have a lovely day, the day we (and he) went to Bangor!! The over-night rain made it too soft for him although it was perfect jumping ground. These Summer horses do prefer the good to firm stuff and any rain onto well-cared-for watered ground, does soon change things. DE SOTO is going to have to put this half-hearted well behind him, or else he'll be trotting off into the sunset and retirement.
The one thing we do know is that AUSTRALIA DAY has always done his best and tried his very hardest. We are asking him to do so again today in a typically competitive and valuable Sandown handicap. It is another tough contest but at least he's dropped 1lb. for his Goodwood run!! I may have asked Martin Dwyer to be too positive too early in that race and maybe we 'bustled' 'SKIPPY' too hard up the initial hill at Goodwood? He stayed on again to be fifth and it is also probable now that he needs abit further than 1 1/4m. However the horse seems so well and there are no alternatives at the moment.
I'm sure one day 'SKIPPY' will disappoint around Sandown, but we have no reason to think it will be today, so if all goes well, he looks a good each-way prospect.

BLACK ANNIE
looking very proud after winning at Stratford last week, but not as proud as Becky who looks after her so beautifully, her owner Shully Liebermann and The Champion, 'A.P.'

To Worcester this evening for two runners, both making re-appearances after long absences.
RED BIRR is at last in the right spot on the right ground and off a mark of 86 should be able to go very close in this ordinary looking contest. The only worry is that he is still a maiden over hurdles and fences and so sometimes until they win, you wonder if they can!
AUTUMN RED returns to the track after 524 days, the day he unseated at Huntingdon when travelling like a winner with a circuit to go. His owner, Richard Dodson deserves so much praise for his stoic patience and i pray he is rewarded with 'DAVE' running well tonight and most importantly, the horse's legs being hard and cold tomorrow morning. This horse is as fit as we can get him and seems more enthusiast than ever in his work, so much so that we have left the visor off today................... just hope the horse hasn't fooled his trainer!

A.P.McCoy again carries Shully Liebermann's colours at Stratford today where he rides BLACK ANNIE in the 5.35pm. These colours so nearly sprang a 66/1 surprise at Windsor on sunday where MEER UND WIND was beaten the shortest of short heads. Indeed we all thought she had got up, Eddie Ahern thought he's won and the jockey on the other horse thought he was beat! Maybe we should have asked the judge to take another look at the print.
BLACK ANNIE won her bumper and then was second on her debut over hurdles at Worcester recently where she lost her confidence, after being interfered with by a wayward opponent! She
has schooled many times since and i think we will ride her closer to the pace today as all she seems to do is stay. It looks a tricky little heat, but i hope she'll improve enough to go close.

Apologies for giving you too much encouragement about JUST VICTOR, who ran well below par at Worcester. We scoped him straight after the race and....... (no) surprise, surprise we found mucus in his wind-pipe and lungs.
The nasty part of the surprise was of course the fact that JUST VICTOR checked out so clean 48 hours before the race and everybody in the yard fancied him on his home work. It just shows that there is no such thing as a 'racing certainty' and why the bookmakers achieve a better, guaranteed and more reliable living than the Owners and Trainers who provide the ammunition for their Betting Shops, both on and off-shore !!
An interesting day's flat-racing awaits us at Windsor this afternoon. There will be unfamiliar colours on every runner today as it's Football Premiership Day. MEER UND WIND and DANVILLA look to have difficult tasks today on their seasonal debuts, but LAISH YA HAJAR must have a good chance in the 4.00pm, where there are also two non-runners. He probably found 1m 3+f. a bit far at Newbury last time, especially on rain-softened ground.

Just off to Worcester to saddle JUST VICTOR in the 2.50pm., where he looks to have a very good chance. He seems in excellent form at home and Lou Wain, who often rides him in the morning thinks he's in the best form of his short life. He found the ground at Uttoxeter quick enough last time, so today's conditions should be kinder for him. There are some winners in the race, but 'VICTOR's rating of 114, puts him in with a big 'shout'.

"All the great plans of mice and men."
Not a good start to the day, as when we trotted up CHEATINGSIDEOFTOWN before loading him onto his truck to Doncaster Sales, he was just not quite sound. He got an 'over-reach' during his race, probably when he jumped the path on the run-in, which has resulted in a deep bruise. It is no good sending a horse upto the sales, even with a plausible 'IF', as he's bound to get 'knocked' for it, as buyers are wisely sceptical and suspicious. We'll just have to wait until the next sale in about eight weeks time.
EDGEVINE and LAGO VERDE are on their way to Doncaster, where i hope they will sell alright as the can both win races without, i would think, becoming super-stars.
Then onto Southwell for the 8.05pm, where KENTMERE is a rare runner for us on the All-Weather there. The firm ground has prevented us risking 'WILLIAM', but this 2m. handicap looks a good opportinity to keep him fit and he'd have a good each-way chance of contributing to his feed bills.

CHEATINGSIDEOFTOWN

Winning the N.H. Flat race at Market Rasen under A. P. McCoy, yesterday.

For a change it went according to plan with CHEATINGSIDEOFTOWN defeating the heavily-backed Mick Easterby trained favourite by 8 lenghts. He looks a tough, staying horse in the making, who will benefit enormously from a little break as he has been in since we bought him in May 2009. His pedigree says that he should need at least 2 1/2miles, so obviously this was a tremendously promising performance. He is due at the Doncaster Sale tomorrow as Lot 189 and let us hope that he makes plenty, as we'll be very sad to see him go.

'PEACHES' keeps a very close eye on second lot.

( photo courtesy of Peter Bell of Economic Security Partnership.)

CHEATINGSIDEOFTOWN runs in the last race at Market Rasen this afternoon, what looks to be a weak bumper. We are very fortunate to have The Champion in the saddle and i hope that his dedication will be rewarded. A journey to Market Rasen on an August Sunday can only mean one thing, miles upon miles of caravans, or as my great friend Percy Sewell describes them, "Mobile Fornicatoriums" !!

Hopefully the 'scenic drive' up the A46 will be worthwhile, as CHEATINGSIDEOFTOWN has been working well and has improved through the summer. He ran in the valuable D.B.S. Sales N.H. Flat race in March and was i'm afraid to say, not quite ready mentally or physically for his debut. These sales races can be too tempting, with a lot of prize-money for what can be ordinary races and i was hoping rather than believing that 'BALOO' was ready. Since purchasing him in May 2009, the plan has always been to try to win and 'cash-in', as it with all of Mr. Moody's horses and this fellow is in the Doncaster Sale this Tuesday.

We are hoping that by tuesday the auctioneer is able to announce;.......... 'Lot 189, CHEATINGSIDEOFTOWN,now with a significant update in the catalogue, impressive winner of his bumper two days ago at Market Rasen!' May be i should stop by in Lincoln Cathedral, on the way to the races, to say some prayers?

A very busy day...................providing the rain stays away.
Heavy showers are forecast approaching from the west and if they materialise our three-pronged attack on Worcester this evening may be curtailed. Also we certainly do not want those showers getting to Goodwood before 2.10pm, where AUSTRALIA DAY is favourite for the opening race of Glorious Goodwood Week.
'SKIPPY' is raring to go again after his amazing demonstration of front-running hurdling at Market Rasen ten days ago. He was beaten just over 7 lengths in this race last year when various factors were not as favourable as they are today. Last year he was off a mark of 98 as opposed to 95, he was drawn 1 of 18 whereas he's 15 of 16 today and the ground, if the showers can stay away, will be quicker and so more to his liking. The 'Top Bend' at Goodwood is just about the closest jockeys get to riding 'The Wall of Death' on a British racecourse, but Martin Dwyer will have to have maximum faith in his horse and keep quickening to make this a very properly-run and testing gallop, or SKIPPY could be in danger of being swallowed up by his pursuers.
At Worcester, DE SOTO runs over hurdles rather than make the long, lonely and expensive journey to Perth for a chase. This looks a good opportunity and is a good stepping stone to Bangor in a month's time for a valuable chase that he won last year. This did not go right for TRIBE on his chasing debut and as feared Stratford proved a bit too sharp for him. He ended up going around the outside and gave acres of ground to his rivals. The track at Worcester should be ideal and he schooled well at Lambourn on the all-weather last week. I think he has a better chance than the paper suggests. CARBON PRINT's race looks more competitive than hoped, but he ran very well to be second at long odds last time. He has an each-way chance but if the rain does come it may be too soggy by 8.50pm (and dark!) for him to run.
So during a parched summer, (except in Cornwall last week for my holiday with my children!) we are frightened of rain.......... Funny business this.

AUSTRALIA DAY 'Skippy' winning the Summer Hurdle (Listed) at Market Rasen on Saturday 17th July. Beautifully steared by Dennis O'Regan!

Sorry that we could not deliver the perfect birthday present to Shully Liebermann as BLACK ANNIE finished a slightly troubled second at Worcester on wednesday; not very many fairytales in N.H. Racing, unless they involve The Grand National !
In a moment or two, LAISH YA HAJAR goes back to war at Newbury and looks to have a good chance in another weakish-looking race. My concern is the softening ground which may not help a front-runner like 'LAISH'.
For a good adrenelin boost, watch the 2.00pm at Market Rasen tomorrow and pretend that 'YOU' are riding AUSTRALIA DAY, instead of Denis O'Regan. Everything that 'SKIPPY' does is with total enthusiasm, he has always worn his heart on his saddle-cloth. Denis and him seemed to get on very well with each-other on wednesday morning and the jockey looked extremely excited by the end of first lot. It could be that the flat handicapper has a hold of 'SKIPPY' by his non-existent 'gelded goolies', off a mark of 95, but we're hoping that his jump rating of 135 may still leave a little room for manoeuvre. He does have big a task but then for 40k, nothing is going to easy.
On Sunday, KRISTALLO goes back to Stratford, seven days after his course and distance win.
As he won a conditional jockeys race, he receives no penalty for this race which looks pretty similar to last week. As long as KRISTALLO is prepared to try as hard twice running, he should go close, he certainly looks in great form at home.

Off to Worcester this evening with the excitement of The Champion Jockey riding BLACK ANNIE in the 6.40pm. As if the responsibility of having A.P. McCoy in the saddle for 'ANNIE's' debut over hurdles is not enough, today happens to be her owner, Shully Liebermann's birthday. More pressure on the trainer! 'ANNIE' has done lots of excellent schooling, mostly ridden by Johnny Bailey, who is also coming to Worcester tonight to brief The Champion on ANNIE's talents. I hope we do not have too much rain as that could lessen the very good chance she looks to have.

KRISTALLO jumping the last hurdle
when winning at Stratford yesterday.

(photo by kind courtesy of
Les Hurley.)

Very sadly 'KRIS's' owner Iain Watters could not be present to witness this horse's first win over hurdles, but as you can see, Sam, Becky and the horse looked very smart in his absence!
Our only worry was KRIS's enormous leap at the last which resulted in a heart-stopping 'peck on landing'. Sam Jones gave him a good forceful ride and all was well.

'SUMMERTIME' WORK AT CROPREDY LAWN.

It doesn't seem like a peaceful Sunday morning around here, in fact as is so often through the year-round racing season, Sunday is just like Monday. No time for family lunchtime BBQs today, as it is the slightly mundane but important-enough fare on offer at Southwell and Stratford.
When Sunday Racing was first established, it was born with the guarantees of generous prize-money and worthwhile Sunday appearance money. Both of these have since all but disappeared and yet Owners still have to face the extra labour expences of sending horses to the races on Sundays.
I am qualified to bleat about this, as i'm the proud owner of SPACE STAR who looks to have a great chance at Southwell. A bigger obstacle than any of the Southwell fences in 'PLUTO's' path, is the fact that my colours have never been carried to victory! Well that is not strictly true as the late-lamented RADAR LOVE did manage to scramble home, adorned with my colours, only for Andrew Thornton to weigh in too heavy and be disqualified! We have found the right race for 'PLUTO' and he must have as good a chance as he'll ever have, but i fear i said the same thing about LAISH YA HAJAR last thursday, only for him to withdrawn before the start!
KRISTALLO has a trickier task at Stratford and his last race was a complete mystery. He pulled far too hard at Bangor, which considering that he is the laziest horse we have at home, was a nasty surprise. Since then he ambled quietly around Newbury, ridden by Humphrey Butler and ended up only being beaten a length in a Charity Race. If runs a sensible type of race he should finish in the first four.
So instead of a sizzling Sunday lunch and a bottle or two of Johnny Goedhuis' excellent Chateau Baillion Rose in the garden, it's time for me to feed the horses their 'sunday roast' and head up the road to Stratford!
I can hear the ice chinking in your glasses!!

OSMOSIA with Willliam Kennedy and Hazel Wainwright after winning at Worcester last night.
Amazing how the photographer, Les Hurley makes the 9.10pm look as though it is mid-afternoon!
Note the trainer spending the whole of his winning trainer's percentage on his phone call to OSMOSIA's owner, Shully Liebermann who is in The Maldives!

(Thanks again to Les Hurley.)

This evening's action takes us to Epsom where LAISH YA HAJAR has an excellent chance in the apprentice handicap at 6.20pm. Alistair Stewart, fresh from his 11.30pm return to the yard last night, sets off for another late one tonight, top man! Richard Hughes felt that something went amiss with 'LAISH' at Newmarket last time, but the horse pulled up completely sound and nothing came to light later. Left-handed on fast ground over 1 1/4m., should suit this horse perfectly and it certainly looks the right race as there are now two non-runners, leaving a field of five.

Got a late night approaching tonight to attend Worcester and saddle OSMOSIA in the 9.10pm. I hope and think the effort will be worthwhile, as this filly is working well and did a good bit of work over 1 1/2m. on Peter Cundall's wonderful grass gallop two weeks ago. She had the same wind operation as BLACK ANNIE, so we hope we get the same improvement from OSMOSIA. It does not look an overly-hot bumper and so we think that she'll go very close.
Please feel no sympathy for the trainer attending such a late race, but do appreciate the effort that the lads, lasses and horsebox drivers put in during the period of evening racing, as it does make for very long days for so many of our staff.

In a week of three seconds, which seldom brings a cheerful grin to The Trainer's face, it is nice to see someone smiling around here!

May be not everybody will recognise the face of this notorious "Knight of the Pigskin", a term for describing jockeys in olden times. This is not a typical photo of Ryan Moore or A.P. McCoy but of Humphrey Butler about to finish third in a Charity Race at Newbury. What the picture cannot show is that 'Humph' single-handedly raised over £18,500 for the Children in Crossfire Charity, a remarkable achievement. Many thanks are due to Iain and Linda Watters who so generously lent KRISTALLO to Humph for the race and to all the team at Cropredy Lawn who have helped and coached Humph towards this great effort which was carried out in a most professional manner.

So despite JUST VICTOR, CARBON PRINT and AUSTRALIA DAY all doing their best but finishing second, we can say that our 'third' with Kristallo and Humph was the performance of the week.

AUSTRALIA DAY runs at his favoured track Sandown today and seems to be in very fresh form since his good fourth at Royal Ascot. The conditions should be ideal for him, the problem lies in the shape of Verdant, who could be an improving three year old in the masterful care of Sir Michael Stoute. 'SKIPPY' ran very well in this race last year, behind the improving Fanjura and I think and very much hope he'll be even closer today.

GTAAB learning The Water Walk.

During these baking hot days, it is a great benefit to our horses to have both The Water Walk and the Equine Swimming Pool. Tremendous heat builds up within horses' tendons during exercise and so we try to reduce this by walking the horses through cool water as soon as possible, to reduce the damage this heat can cause to the fibres that constitute the tendon. Also the Swimming Pool is a great way to cool the horses off both after morning exercise and with a swim in the afternoons. At this time of year all the runners have a swim through the pool just before getting on the horsebox for the races. We find this keeps them much cooler during travel and in the lead up to their race.

We have two runners at Stratford tonight. CARBON PRINT has a much better chance than The Racing Post would seem to think. He will love the fast ground and ran on well on the flat at Leicester a few weeks ago. TRIBE makes his debut over fences and although he's by Danehill who is not known for producing steeplechasers, he looks made for this game. His jumping has always been great and as long as he does not find the track too sharp, he will go very close.

BLACK ANNIE winning at Market Rasen yesterday after a masterful ride from THE Champion Jockey,

A.P.McCOY.

(photo courtesy of Colin Garner.)

BLACK ANNIE travelled too well throughout this race, as her jockey described afterwards, "the chock was full out", but she still managed to find enough in a battling finish. Her jockey did his usual outstanding job and it was a real thrill to have him ride a winner for us all again.

Many congratulations to her owner,

Shully Liebermann, whose patience and faith in this filly are being justly rewarded.

Sorry for posting this a little late, you'll either curse me or thank me, depending on your opinion! BLACK ANNIE returns after a wind operation at Market Rasen at 5.25pm this afternoon and is 'garnished' again with The Champion Jockey who rode her last time out. She hated the heavy ground that day and 'A.P.' diagnosed her to be rotten of her wind. If the operation has worked and we'd be pretty hopeful of that, this does not look the hottest contest and BLACK ANNIE should have a very good chance.
Later tonight LAISH YA HAJAR is one of the warm-up acts for Spandau Ballet who play after racing at Newmarket tonight. 'LAISH' has been off for a year with a tendon problem and may just need the race as his front-running tactics may expose a tiny lack of fitness. It looks a tricky handicap and i'm sure he'll run well but could find a couple of his opponents a bit sharper than him.

AUSTRALIA DAY (red sleeves) finishing a close two length fourth at Royal Ascot.

(photo courtesy of Julian Herbert).

Today LAGO VERDE tries to redeem himself after a disappointing effort (?) at Bangor. The owner, me, is not travelling to watch him as i don't think i'll be needed for the presentations afterwards!

AUSTRALIA DAY with JERRY WALSH and DANNY HANNIG after finishing a tremendous 4th in The Duke of Edinburgh Handicap at Royal Ascot.

You can easily see why they so deservedly won 'The Best Turned-Out Award.' Have you ever seen a smarter, more colour-co-ordinated team in your life? They are 'Simply the smartest and Simply the best!' I assure you the Owners were doing what 'SKIPPY' is doing in the photo only five minutes later!

AUSTRALIA DAY was beaten 2 lengths by the winner after setting a strong gallop and staying on very well and bravely, it was his career-best performance. I have just led him out and now he is out in his paddock, bucking and squealing. He's eaten up everything and so we'll look for another opportunity within the next three weeks.

Variety is the spice of life they say, so how does a runner at Royal Ascot today and a chaser at Hereford tomorrow illustrate the role of the 'dual-purpose trainer'?
AUSTRALIA DAY is a 25/1 chance today but does have many factors in his favour. Fast ground, a right-handed track, a good high draw and Kieran Fallon all bode well for him today. As feared, Epsom was not his track, but at least he had a run and so could not be fitter for this target. He will need a career best and all the luck in the world, but so far the omens are good.
OVERSPIN goes tomorrow at Hereford in a 2m. handicap chase, trying to make up for her very unfortunate fall at Southwell last time. She has schooled well and if she travels as well tomorrow as she was when falling at the fifth last, she also holds an each-way chance.
Off to re-polish the hat!

EDGEOVER, RIDDEN BY DENIS O'REGAN, "FLYING THE LAST" AND WINNING BY 31 LENGTHS AT MARKET RASEN YESTERDAY.

(Photo by courtesy of Equineimagesuk.com)

What a thrill it was to see EDGEOVER really show his full potential at Market Rasen. He settled beautifully and jumped immaculately for Denis O'Regan who gave him a lovely patient ride. This horse has always had talent, but has had to overcome sacro-illiac weaknesses that have interupted his career. He is a wonderful example of the reward that the patience shown by his owners, David and Ann Allen, can bring. He has had plenty of time back at their farm and is now going to show the benefit. EDGEOVER loves good ground and so we would hope to run him again in about a month's time.

I wish i could say that this is a photograph of a horse i have for sale or a picture of EDGEOVER who runs this afternoon at Market Rasen.

No, it is a photo of as good a looking horse that anybody is likely to see and unusually for 'the perfect horse', he is also as good a racehorse as any of us are likely to witness.

Recognised him ? ...........................

SEA THE STARS.

What a complete honour it was to see him at H.H Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud on wednesday. He just looks the complete champion that he looked on the racecourse and let's hope that he proves to be a very special stallion as well.

At Market Rasen, EDGEOVER makes his return to action after having a good winter break to help him avoid soft ground and give him time to strengthen. Denis O'Regan, who is to ride more in the south this season, has schooled him on many occasions, including over six fences at Towcester ten days ago. We think we have him fit enough, although he will improve for the run.

TRAINER, DAUGHTER AND PUPPY PREPARING

TO GO RACING AT WORCESTER TODAY.

(or was it Epsom yesterday?)

What a thrill it was to be at Epsom for the last couple of days even though we did not quite receive the results we were looking for. As feared and documented, AUSTRALIA DAY was never happy on this unique track and spent too much energy leaning right on a sharp left-handed track! All is by no means lost and it will be back to his favoured track Ascot, for either The Wolverton Handicap (won by Ulundi) or more likely The Duke of Edinburgh Handicap over 1 1/2 miles.

We were cheering for Midas Touch in The Derby as he was bred and is part-owned by H.R.H. Prince Faisal Salman to whom I am Racing Manager. Midas Touch ran well to finish fifth but according to his jockey Colm O'Donohue, this horse did not handle the track either! See it can happen to Cropredy Lawn as well as Ballydoyle!!

Today it is less valuable fare at Worcester, but absolutely as important to us as Chantilly will be to others! Not sure if the good folk of Worcester will attend with quite the elegance of the French scene, but you just never know. EDGEVINE has a good each-way chance if we can discount her lacklustre show at Towcester. She was a little stiff in her back after that run but i would not be sure if we found the whole reason for that dull effort. OVERSPIN was travelling well when she slipped on landing at the fifth last at Southwell. This was irritating as she'd done nothing wrong and has not made a mistake at home or during her race. Both these horses need to win and then prove themselves worthy of joining their Owner's broodmare band, as in these days of over-production, we must try to only breed from the better achievers.