Hoping to continue the hot streak

Well, it was made official this week that I am the most 'in-form' trainer in the country. Although I can't match Paul Nicholls' dozen winners in the last week, the Racing Post have still somehow managed to make me the country's top trainer according to their 'horses running to form' stat.

Although maybe slightly over the top the accolade is, it is true to say that the horses are in blindingly good form. Blackmore (left, in blue) recorded his second win in less than seven days at Kempton on Wednesday and he won with even more ease than the time before. I seriously don't know how good he could be because he has never given 100% in all his victories because he idles when he hits the front and at home he does the same but the signs are good.
A lot of the credit must go to his jockey Cathy Gannon. She has to be one of the most underrated riders about and is undoubtedly the best female jock that has ever ridden in this country. She is incredibly strong and it doesn't matter what price the horse is in the betting, she will still give it every chance to win. It says a lot though that she came in after Blackmore's win and admitted she was knackered. It's unsurprising really when you think she had to push the horse for almost every yard of the two mile distance. Despite this, she won the following race on a 25/1 shot!

I was delighted with Night Orbit's run at Southwell on Monday. His jumping was exceptional and it was the first time that he has really shown a liking for chasing. He had every chance when flying over the last fence but he was just held by a slightly better horse. Staying races are his game and it would be nice if he could run in a race like the Sussex National.

My son Ross took all the plaudits for Night Orbit's jumping as he had done all the schooling on him but today he jets off to the sunny shores of Dubai for the winter where he is going to work for trainer Gill Duffield for three months. I hope he can learn a fair bit out there and come back with some interesting ideas. However, on Friday morning it looked like the trip might not be happening at all as he laid in pain on the grass up the Links schooling grounds. He was jumping Always De One for the first time and all was going well until Ross got a little too brave and decided to go a bit too quick into the last hurdle and Always decided she didn't want to jump it and crashed through the wing. Ross banged his knee badly but it was only bruised and I made him lead up at Lingfield with a limp the next day. Always came out unscathed too.

With her brother away, it means that my daughter Shelley can ride in a few amateur races over the winter and she has her third ride under rules planned for Wednesday on Always De One at Lingfield. Shelley is obviously not as fit as Cathy Gannon which is a shame because she will be pushing for most of the way as the filly is very lazy!

Beseech is also running at Lingfield that day and I hope she can run respectably before she can qualify for handicaps.

My best chance of a winner has to be Khajaaly on Friday. The horse has been rejuvenated by a break and he worked exceptionally well with Spirit of Sharjah yesterday. He's running off a mark of 60 and I think he will be very hard to beat if all goes well. Bushy Dell will also have a winner's chance that day at Wolverhampton and maybe a small double bet could be a profitable investment.