Sun shining, rugs off.

What gorgeous weather we had this week. It was great to be able to put the horses out in the field this morning stripped without the masses of rugs (thermal and waterproof) that they've had to wear for the last six months.

One filly who has really come out of her winter break well is Entrance. She has grown a few inches taller and has put on a bit of weight. As you can see in the pictures (before left, after right), she hasn't quite got her summer coat yet but she's started back in light work and I hope she can give the Hoofbeats Racing Club some fun this year.

The sun was shining at Folkestone on Monday where Generous Genella showed some of the ability we have been seeing on the gallops. She's not a big filly but takes a lot of work to get fit so I think now she's had a couple of runs and is stepping up in trip, she should be winning soon.

Blackmore ran another cracking race the following day at Pontefract. He's a really progressive horse and we were delighted that Paul Hanagan was able to ride him again. He settled beautifully in the race and Paul produced him to hit the front with a furlong to go. At this point, I think the horse thought he had won and started easing up (as he always does in front) and unfortunately a fast-finisher just chinned him on the line. There will definitely be more success for him this year though.

As there will be too for good old Bavarica. She landed yet more prize money at Lingfield on Wednesday when she finished third and it took her career earnings to £58,000 which in these days of shoddy finances isn't too bad. Beseech ran a bit below par that day and surprised us by not staying the two miles, a trip she had looked to be in need of. I'm going to turn her out for a few months, let her grow and bring her back for the new all-weather season.

Emma's Gift made a pleasing seasonal reappearance on Saturday in a Listed race at Lingfield. She hadn't grown much over the winter and the question with talented two year olds is if they will train on the next year but she showed enough to suggest she can land some big prizes in 2011.

Also on the hunt for lucrative pots this year is our stable star Spirit of Sharjah. He goes to Leicester on Saturday to retain his Leicestershire Stakes crown after winning the Listed race last year under Frankie Dettori. He needs good ground and a bit of luck but he's in great nick. On the same day, King Columbo travels to Doncaster. My daughter Shelley rides him and I hope his win in a charity race last time has done his confidence some good.


Three to Follow Update:
The competition got off to a flyer st the weekend with both Sancho Panza and Blackmore finishing second and scoring some points. Bavarica nicked 3rd place on Wednesday to give her followers something to shout about.

1. Peter Darlington, Julia Feilden, Poppy Feilden, Zac Fitzgerald, Tetyana (ALL 10 POINTS)

6. Maureen Youngs, Ross Birkett, Shelley Birkett. (ALL 8 POINTS)

21 others on 5 points, 4 with zero.