Kicking into the new year!

I hope you all had a good time over the New Year celebrations, mine was lovely a meal round a friend's house in the village which ended with John and I both asleep by 10.30pm! The horses keep you out of trouble as they always needs attention everyday of the year. I'll be glad when the rest of the country gets back to work so things can finally get done!

Reflecting on last year, it was another consistent season and a good end to the campaign saw us finish with 16 winners, three more than in 2014 which means we are improving! We had an identical number of 2nds (19) than 12 months ago too so it must mean we had a few horses who were better at winning than before. None of this would be possible without the support of my lovely owners and I can honestly say there isn't one who I would not call a friend and it makes the job a hell of a lot easier when you are training racehorses for lovely people. Thank you all and let's hope 2016 can bring more winners and wine!

Dissertation was our first runner of the new year on Saturday and she did well to finish 3rd. All she does is stay so I think she should win a race over two miles before the spring is here.

Hoping to get the first score on the board is Vastly at Southwell on Tuesday. He's stepping right up to 1m4f but it's a trick which worked for Dark Diamond when he won at the track last month so I hope lightning can strike twice. Vastly is in great form and is now down to a good handicap mark so everything looks in place for a good run.

Dakota City (Ross) & Vastly (Adam) working up Long Hill

Cooling off after exercise

Also at Southwell on Tuesday is Artbeat. She ran a career best when a narrow second at the track last time and the turnaround in the weights gives her a great chance. It remains to be seen whether she can take another run just a week after the last but we had to make the most of her handicap mark before it is reassessed the following day.

On Wednesday, Attain goes to Chelmsford. He bruised his foot a couple of weeks ago but has recovered from that fine and is well in himself on the gallops. He is down to a good handicap mark and probably would have won last time with a clear run. He has been on the go a long time but it would be wonderful if he could add to his three wins from last year.

Attain (right) back when there was less mud in the world!

Rounding off the week is Dark Diamond at Southwell on Sunday. He bolted up over the course and distance last time but the handicapper wasn't taking any chances and upped him seven pounds in the weights. It means he has to race in a higher grade now but he looked like he loved the track's unique surface last time so we will see how he goes.

Dark Diamond

All the horses who were on their winter holidays are now back in exercise on the horse walker and it will be a few more weeks before they are ready to canter again. There are some really exciting individuals among them as well as some old favourites so they are something to look forward to so watch this space!