But first, we start the year off at Catterick tomorrow....

Snapping Turtle is heading down to Catterick tomorrow aiming to follow up his recent course & distance success in the 3m 1f handicap hurdle.

Most of his rivals have been a bit disappointing of late and will be looking to recapture their form. The main dangers are Simmply Sam although he seems best at a shorter trip (2m 4f) and the comparatively lightly raced novice Miss Barbossa at the foot of the handicap. She is unproven at 3 miles plus, and not certain to stay this distance on breeding.

He'll have a good chance, so fingers crossed......

Winner from Dodlands this season - Snapping Turtle (this side)  

Mid season review

Well? How are we really doing because statistics never lie, do they?
Let's see what the figures look like.

*   statistics from 1st August 2016 - 31st December 2016
** placed runner is taken as in 1,2,3,4 where there is prize money

We've achieved a placed - runner** ratio of just under 30% which is bit lower than we would have hoped for. On the plus side, betting each horse in this period to £10 level stake would show a profit of £500. So Lucky Dave has had a good festive season!

In the opening months of 2017, look out for the following horses who have been lightly raced this far to appear on course.

• Baby Ticker
  She has been given a BHA Rating of OR92, based on the best of her form. She has taken a little time to come into herself this season but we'd like to give her a run towards the end of January
• Bollin Julie
  We weren't entirely happy with the mare after her run at Hexham at the start of December, and gave her a little break. Now back in full training, another who would be targeting end of January for her next run
• Dali Mail
  Coming along nicely, we'd expect if all goes to plan that he would make a debut in a bumper in a few weeks time
• Side of the Road
  Along with Cliff, this mare had a racecourse gallop at Newcastle's tapeta surface recently and should be ready to run in a bumper mid-end January
• Tomahawk Wood
  Didn't eat up on the morning of his intended race at Ayr a couple of weeks ago, but is now back on the gallops and we will look to end January for his next outing in a chase
• Big Bad Dream
  Will be aimed at a bumper in January

Hartforth on the right, a winner for the stable this season