Last week we went up to Lambourn to try schooling Doitforthevillage over the adapted National fences as he is running in the Topham chase on Friday 5th April. Tom O`Brian, who rode him on Thursday, was very pleased  with the way he jumped and is looking forward to riding him in the race.

Whilst we were there, we had a laugh with Brendan Powell, who won the 1988 Grand National on Rhyme `n' Reason.

​Ted Bach wins the Starsport.bet Handicap Hurdle(Class 4) (0-105, 4yo+) (2m3f49yds) 2m3f at Fontwell for some delighted owners.
Aidan Kennedy, my bloodstock agent in Ireland, rang me a few weeks before about Ted Bach, he then rang again a couple of days later asking if I had seen the horse as he was going to look at it that afternoon. Attheraces had taken all their old races of Irish races off the Internet, and so all I could do was take a look on YouTube to see the horse jumping the last when he won. I wasn’t that impressed as he looked a bit green and when he hit the front pricked his ears. Aiden rang me the next day asking me about Ted Bach. I told him that I didn’t like him and was worried about his attitude.  “Oh” Said Aiden “I’ve bought him“. “Oh, Who for? “ I said. “You and I’m coming over tonight can you meet me in the morning to pick him up! “Ehh... okay I’ll have him then” I said. 
Needless to say, a couple of days on watching him as he went up the long gallop I'd changed my mind and was pleased with my purchase. He apparently had the right attitude and some good speed. 
Before he ran Attheraces.com reinstated his races, and after watching them, it was clear that I'd better telephone, Paddy, to give him the heads up on how he races. From the footage, he looked as if he didn’t like to hit the front too soon.
Ted went on to prove his ability and impress me and his connections when he won his race at Fontwell. Afterwards, as we walk back in, Paddy leaned over and said I knew you fancied him you don’t usually ring me.​

Duarigle wins the Take "Em On With 888Sport Novices" Handicap Hurdle(Class 3) (0-125, 4yo+) (2m3f173yds) 2m4f.
Winners at Sandown are a bit like buses we have none then two come along together. Just before Christmas Shaws Cross won and our next runner, Duarigle won as well, Great performance by both of them. 

​Doitforthevillage follows up his win at Chepstow over Christmas with an amazing run to finish 2nd to Cyrname at Ascot.
 Ridden by Paddy Brennan, he was held up, slowly moving into position as they turned into the home straight and then making his final effort to second  in the last 100  yds.
The third horse , Happy Diva went on to win a listed race on the Thursday and weeks later Cyrname  became the top rated chaser in the country. So all in all not a bad run.

Shaw's Cross won the
 JLT Group Novices' Handicap Hurdle (0-120)
at Sandown  giving the yard it's first winner at the venue. We'd had a couple of seconds but no winners.
Shaw's Cross, given a great ride by Tom O'Brien, traveled and jumped well throughout the race, getting his head in front when it mattered the most after the last.  ​

Doitforthevillage ran a solid race, jumped well and travelled well in the BetVictor Chase, which he won last year. He moved nicely into third at the second last when unfortunately he slipped on landing and lost his back end. Tom had sat patiently on Doit and crept into a good position, he did extremely well to stay on board as Doit was very close to coming down.

You'll be pleased to here Doit trotted up sound the next morning and appears to be ok after his mishap.

We flew out to Ireland to look at a number of horses which Aidan Kennedy had lined up for us. The first we saw was Crossley Tender 
https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/1388791/crossley-tender/form
We liked him and although we saw many others, we felt he was the nicest and the best value. He's a good looking horse, forward going, jumps well and has won a point to point , he was also a good 3rd in a winners of two point to point. He's fit and ready to run and is being syndicated.

Whilst visiting Ireland we had the pleasure of staying at the Minella Hotel, Clonmel.
We have had a few Minella horses over the years. John Nallen  who's family owns the  Minella Hotel prefixes all his horses with the hotel name. I'd been looking forward to staying there sometime. It was great to finally visit the place. we had a great stay.

Big Man Clarence Ran at Fos Las supporting Pittville Park Syndicates new colours. It was a long way to go but for the first time we had heavy ground.
Run Don't hide also ran in the 2 mile chase and jumped and finished well, James Best thought he would come on for the run.
Duarigle went to Sandown in his first novice hurdle and was 7th in a competitive event, we were pleased with the way he travelled and Paddy Brennan thought it was a good performance for his first hurdle race.