Fourth time lucky for first time broodmare..

After the results of Bavarica's scan showed she was carrying twins it was an anxious wait to see what the screen showed was going on inside Bushy Dell's womb. She was covered three times last season by the same sire, Observatory, but was empty every time. It was then a nice surprise when the results showed she too is carrying twins! However, like 'Rita' one of the little dots had to be pinched as it would be very unlikely that the mare would survive giving birth to two foals. It is even more exciting as the two mares conceived days apart so they should give birth around the same time and the foals will have each other to play with and keep company when they are weaned from their mothers.

It was a quiet week at the races with only Emma's Gift who travelled to Kempton on Saturday, she has had a fruitful winter campaign keeping us going through the dark days but it also means it gives the handicapper something to do as she has risen in the weights and is now handicapped to her best, it was also a Listed race and she was probably a bit out- classed.

When the horses aren't on the track then in means they're on the gallops getting ready for the racing. We had a good turn out of owners on Saturday, it's good to catch up with the owners and everyone is welcome to come down any day to see the yard or watch the horses.


We had our first two- year old of the year working on Saturday, Tiger's Home (near side) joined upsides good lead horse Entrance and did a educatory 5f gallop. It can be a bit daunting when the babies go over to Cambridge Road polytrack for the first time, especially as the rails end after 3f and people are everywhere, but she took it very well and the main thing is she enjoyed it and will continue to learn as she builds up to her racecourse debut.

Blackmore (green cap) and Silver Alliance did a good gallop together on Wednesday, the latter is due to run on tomorrow at Yarmouth, it will be his first run for us on turf and it's just a matter of whether he will like the ground as he seems to give his best runs on all- weather. Blackmore is declared the next day at Southwell, he is a horse in great form this winter so hopefully his purple patch will continue.

Angel of Mercy (blue) is now doing her first bits of work and is taking them well considering we have been unable to get to this point with her before as she has been plagued with injury so far. She led the way for colts, Attain and Acer Diamonds (right). 'Acer' was also doing his first bit and is getting stronger everyday, it's just a matter of getting him fit for his return to the track.

Here's a different angle of Acer and Attain, here you can see the power in Acer he has needed time as he is such a big horse who covers so much ground, where as Attain is much smaller and has still got growing to do.

Angel of Mercy worked again this week, but this time leading the way for first- timers Lea Valley (white cap) and an unnamed filly by Halling (middle) they all went along together which should give them a confidence boost for more intense work to come.

I have been waiting all year to get Generous Genella going again after showing promise and then sustaining a tendon injury last year, her legs feel great now and she has grown and matured during her time off.

A quieter one, Silver Alliance (left) and Blackmore walking back after the gallop.

It will be a busy week at the races next week, along with Silver and Blackmore running Attain is entered on Wednesday at Lingfield and Nottingham but we will see which race would be better for him and also in that day at Lingfield is Entrance, who usually goes well fresh and has been working great at home.