Not only did Turban win the doughnuts for best turned out , he showed the others a clean pair of heels leading from start to finish. His jumping was fantastic and  Tom said he was able to take a pull on him after every jump.
This was a perfect example of team work, a week before the race George and Brad had advised me that Turban was a bit bored with his daily routine, we changed his work, we backed off him and took him leading the youngsters over the hurdles. He arrived at the course a happy horse, fresh as a daisy. 

 Mount Vesuvius win at Plumpton under Tom O'Brien.
​He was running for the 68th time. Tom said he just loves the quicker ground and moves so much easier on it.

We had a great day on Thursday, with a 20/1 winner and a second at Fontwell. Tom gave Turban a brilliant ride and although Paddy, on Ruby Russet, tried to take him on, Turban and Tom still persevered and won by 9  lengths. Paddy also rode Mr Mulliner in the next race and came (a well deserved) second. Mr Mulliner led for most of the race but was overtaken after the last bend, having  given his all. We think that the blinkers help as it means he can concentrate on where he's going but they do make him a little bit too keen so Paddy wants to try holding him up next time.     

We used the grass today for the first time in months as the bit of rain this weekend  finally eased the ground. Previously the grass was brown and dead and the ground too firm to use.
​ We'll have to get on and school a few now as we head towards an exciting new season.

Nick Scofield  came down today to School tomorrow`s runners. Questionation, who is first time out for us and Turban, who will both run at Newton Abbot. 
We schooled all the horses which have had a mini break. They are all ready to run as soon as there is a bit of ease in the ground.
The horses that have come back from a prolonged summer break and the new arrivals are all coming on well. They are all starting to lose their grass bellies and are on strong exercise up the short gallop. Soon they will be ready to progress to the long gallop . Nick was impressed by the depth and quality of string.

Ed picks up the trophy after Vinnies win,
​Good Man Vinnie wins  the  Dave Johnson @ Breakfast On Signal 2 Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter.
He won his second race in 11 days under Tom O'Brien in a 'nail biting' finish with Vinnie once again relaxing just before the line.
 .

If you backed Good Man Vinnie (10/1 into 3/1) many of you did, you have Tom to thank for your winnings.
Vinnie was off the bridle for nearly the last circuit and he was in 6th with half a circuit to go. Tom kept at him, finally in behind the favourite, Posh Totty. At the last Tom pulled Vinnie out. He flew it and sailed into the lead to cosily win by 6 lengths.

After a great deal of patience and optimism Ring Minella finally proved his worth giving us our first win of the 2018 season at Warwick on the 7th May. Having run 9 times, throughout his campaign, only to have been placed 3rd at Hereford earlier in the season, Ring finally benefitted from the drying ground and a strongly ridden finish by Paddy Brennan. To say that his 100 fold owners were 'happy' is an understatement. We were extremely relieved!

 For Carmel relaxing in the field after his win

For Carmel went down to Newton Abbot to grab the last of the soft ground. We decided to change tactics, Paddy sent him of in front where he out jumped and out stayed his rivals.