Good to be back

I hope everyone had a good time celebrating New Year at the weekend. I celebrated it in Dubai with my son and daughter whilst watching fireworks at the Burj Khalifa, Ross decided it wasn't a good idea to go too near the Burj as it would be too busy, so we were forced to settle on some metal pipes with some locals, at least we did it how the Arabs do it! We had a relaxing and interesting time in Dubai, it's a surreal place with sights like Meydan races, Atlantis and Palm Beach. I wanted to stay out there for longer than a week but I had to wave goodbye to Ross and it was back to reality when I had to go racing at Kempton the day after I got back!

There ran Bushy Dell and Little Meadow who both ran pleasing and will hopefully keep up with the consistency of the runners of late. Also, while we were away we had two good runs from both Exopuntia (2nd) and Sail Home (2nd)- although not winning it's nice to see them hitting the till.

This week the 3 yearlings, well now technically they are 2 year olds, (2 French colts and a filly from Palantation Stud) still to be broken in were sent off to Freckenham to start the process and begin their journey as racehorses. Our 4th yearling, Acer Diamonds, is back home, cantering and impressing us with his professionalism and progression.

As for runners next week, we have Baggsy at Towcester on Monday. Oh how I wish she could follow up her recent course and distance win, but I have a feeling it was a flash in the pan, although it is a small field so hopefully she can run into a place. Talking of jumpers, when we schooled Baggsy this week, along with Night Orbit over fences, Always De One had her belated second try at jumping (first time round she had a jolly good time turning up the Links Golf Course after depositing Ross into the wings!) this time in the hands of jump jockey Mattie Batchelor who reported that she was 'very impressive' and that we are not allowed to run her in a Selling Hurdle as she is better than that, which gives us some hope of winning some sort of race with her. Also this week we have Sail Home and Exopuntia venturing to Southwell again to try and get us off the mark for the New Year, both have good chances.