A quiet spell for Dodlands

We've been particularly badly hit by the poor recent spell of weather, and whilst the string remain in very good health, the lingering snow has prevented our gallops from being used for 10 days or so.

Yesterday's rise in temperature and persistent rain is just what the doctor ordered (or should that be vet ordered) but we are curbing our enthusiasm to crack on too quickly, so the horses will be brought back into the morning exercise regime with a bit of care. Thoroughbreds can easily break blood vessels, tie up etc. in such circumstances and, you know, we reckon on competing the NH horses through until end of May, early June. Without the snow we wouldn't have given the horses such a break, but it wont do them any harm either.

Tomorrow - Monday - the string will start with a gentle canter once on the Up-the-Middle gallop and gradually build up during the course of the week. So, by the middle of the following week it'll be business as usual.

All this preamble is a roundabout way of stating that our next runners will be in about 3 weeks time!

Good luck for Cheltenham week

Yes, to all our readers old and new!
The media have been building up Cheltenham week since the start of October, and it has finally arrived.

So, if you're venturing South, taking a few days off to watch at home or sneaking a peek during office hours.....enjoy the feast of equine magnificence that is The Cheltenham Festival.

 The Festival been a barren time in recent seasons for Northern yards, but there are a couple with live chances this year. Doesn't look as if Lucinda will have a runner (good luck with Big River in the Midlands GN next Saturday) but Brian Ellison's Definitly Red will run a big race in the Gold Cup itself and we hope Jedd O'Keefe's Sam Spinner will go well in the Stayers Hurdle.
Donald McCain will probably have 2 or 3 runners himself - maybe Testify is his best chance - Nicky will run a couple (Duke of Navan in the last, anyone?) and although Waiting Patiently has Aintree as a target this season, Ruth Jefferson has good opportunities along with Brian Hughes with Cloudy Dream and Mount Mews.

And of course, we'll be urging on former inmate Shades of Midnight in the 4m novice chase on Tuesday.

Good luck to all, but especially our friends from the north!