Spring has finally sprung!

After a winter that seemed to last forever, we finally saw some warm weather this week and a bit of rain with it too.

The grass gallops in Newmarket have been open since the beginning of the turf season last month but due to the firm ground we have been unable to use them. However, a bit of rainfall on Friday meant we could gallop some on the green stuff on Saturday morning.

First up were two horses who I hope will be revelations this season in Omega Omega and Attain. The former was very weak last season and never showed much in a few runs but she has strengthened up a lot over the winter and should be able to win off her low handicap mark. Attain, on the other hand, just lost his enthusiasm last year but the winter holiday has freshened him up and he could be back to his best that we once saw.

Omega Omega (Shelley) and Attain (Alfie)

Another two exciting prospects are No Such Number and Sancho Panza who were next up the gallop.
Number has only had two runs for us, winning first time but then not liking the all-weather after that. He's had the winter off but still probably has the best coat in the yard and his work seems a lot better than last year too. He'll be running in three weeks' time if all goes to plan.
Sancho Panza missed the whole of last year through injury but has come back bigger and stronger this time. He was on an upward curve before hitting the sidelines so hopefully he can continue his progress.

No Such Number (Ross) and Sancho Panza (Annelie)

Khajaaly has been with us a few years now so, to keep his mind ticking, I like to try different things with him. He didn't like the idea of jumping so on some days I use him as a bit of a hack to watch the string but before that I give him a blast up the gallop and he still know how to run!


Khajaaly

 Earlier in the week, with the ground still firm, we had to use the all-weather and our two juvenile fillies (Bushy Glade and Primrose Posy) had their first serious piece of work. I was impressed with how professional the pair were; they didn't get too worried about going somewhere new and both did their exercise nicely. With all being well, they should be hitting the track in a month's time.

Bushy Glade (Annelie) and Primrose Posy (Shelley)

As the weather was so good and the grass had started to grow a bit again, we could turn some of the horses out on Sunday morning. The boys looked happy to get some fresh air again as they galloped around the field before nibbling some grass.

Spirit of Sharjah, Khajaaly & Silver Alliance (hidden) having fun

The Hoofbeats Tours of Newmarket that my husband John runs go hand in hand with the training yard and complement each other well. The place was pretty packed on Thursday as we had 150 European students come to visit. The horses seem to enjoy all the attention and the experience means that little fazes them when they go to the races and see big crowds of people.

We will only have one runner this week when The Ducking Stool heads to Southwell. The track is a bit of an unknown but she always jumps quickly from the stalls so should be able to get a handy position which is so vital at the course. Her action suggests she should enjoy the fibresand surface too.