It's getting hotter, eventhough we're still on the cold list

This glorious weather makes all the long, cold winter days worth it and makes you appreciate working outside with these beautiful animals. They're all coming in their coats now and it's nice not to have to spend hours rugging them all up, instead we spend hours topping their water buckets up! But it's easy to see how relaxed they are now with alot of them being turned out in the paddocks in the afternoons.

Here we have, from left to right, Entrance, Emma's Gift and Sail Home enjoying the sun today.



Last week saw both Silver Alliance and Generous Genella travel down to Brighton on Tuesday, but we only ended up having one runner as the ground had dried up and would of been far too firm for Genella, especially as she's just come back from a tendon injury. But Silver ran his heart out only to be swallowed up in the last furlong or so, the 1m 4f trip may have tested his stamina out a bit and the ground could of had a bit more juice in it.

The next trip racing wasn't until Saturday, when Sail Home came in a gallant 3rd in the amateur race at Newbury. I may be the only trainer to say it but I always feel more confident in amateur races as I know I've got one of the most experienced riders about in my son Ross and that makes a big difference when riding in these races. She ran a blinder but is probably handicapped to her highest at the minute after a fruitful winter campaign.

The sun didn't dry up the grass gallops too much and the Peat Moss gallop was open, here we have Acer Diamonds (far side) running abreast with Attain, the latter is entered for Brighton on Thursday but will only go if they get some rain. Acer has healed well after his castration and will be waiting for some rain too.



Entrance and The Ducking Stool (near side) also worked on the Peat Moss, Ducky probably found the ground a bit firm but worked well considering the weight of the riders was not equal. Entrance is entered for an apprentice race at Brighton on Friday, we will have to see what kind of jockey we can get before deciding whether to run, but she has been working fantastically, runs best fresh and will like the ground.

Angel of Mercy (near side) will make her long anticipated debut at Yarmouth early next month, she is an unraced 4 year old and has had alot of set backs along the way, but she has finally strengthened up and come to herself. She will need the run for experience but it's just nice to see her thriving on the gallops. Canning Vale is entered for Brighton on Thursday, hopefully she will show some ability on the turf.

Coming up on her own was the unnamed Halling filly, she has been doing plenty of work and will be running in the near future.

We had a good turn out of owners on Saturday morning, it was even nice and warm on the heath for a change!

The Mujadil filly I bought from the breeze- up sales last month has been impressing with her enthusiasm, it helps when they're from the breeze ups as they already know quite a bit at such a young age.

The Feilden string slowly make their way down the wood chip canter. with the Rowley Mile in the background.