New faces make a full yard

I suppose it would have been too much to ask for another winner this week after tasting victory twice over the last fortnight. We had a few chances but none of them had much luck so it's up to this week's raiders to make amends.

I have been making trips to the doctor's recently as my hip has been giving me some grief. I've already had one hip replaced and it looks like the other will need doing soon. The doctor keeps saying I'm too young to have these troubles - I must have had a hard paper round!
It hasn't stopped me from riding out though and one horse I enjoy having a spin on is exciting stayer No Such Number. He didn't shine on his seasonal reappearance at Doncaster last time but the track may no have suited him. His half brother Address Unknown won the Chester Cup last week so we're taking him there on Saturday as his family obviously like the place.
He worked really well on Saturday with fellow stayer Sancho Panza. Sancho's comeback has been delayed by the firm ground but he's in at Yarmouth on Friday and hopefully some rain will come for him. He will need the run but should be well handicapped for the upcoming season.

No Such Number (Julia) & Sancho Panza (Ross)

Number also had a stretch of his legs the previous Wednesday when giving a lead to three-year old Believe In Me. She is coming back to fitness now after a winter break and seems to be handling the work well. All being well, she should be back on the track within a month.

No Such Number (Julia) & Believe In Me (Annalie)

We have horses coming out of our ears at the moment with a jam-packed yard after welcoming another new face at the weekend. Al Sahraa only had a few runs for her previous trainer but seems to go well enough. She is already pretty fit so should be out soon.
She went along with Honeymoon Express who has really been pleasing me since coming back from her holiday. She is showing a lot of speed and gives the impression that 7f could be her trip. She still needs a few more gallops but I'm looking forward to running her.

Honeymoon Express (Annalie) & Al Sahraa

After a splash of rain on Friday night, the grass gallops were in perfect condition so I made full use of them by sending all sorts up the Peate Moss. Khajaaly doesn't usually gallop with other horses as he has his own ideas about the game but since we started turning him out last month, he seems a lot happier and even fancied running with some company. He is rated a lot higher on the all-weather and still hasn't won on turf which really frustrates me because he seems just as good on the green stuff at home.
Last week saw our first juvenile runner of the term and although Bushy Glade didn't shine, it gives us an idea as to how the others are going. Primrose Posy is learning with each gallop she has and should be out soon.

Primrose Posy (Shelley), Khajaaly (Billy) & Amelia George (Alfie)

After her owner passed away last month, The Ducking Stool's future was in doubt as his widow felt she couldn't afford to keep her. However, a solution was found and I'm delighted to report that this gallant mare will be staying with us still. She is a reliable yard-stick and seems to thrive at Yarmouth so we will keep running her there.

The Ducking Stool (Reno)

Putting hoods on horses seems to be all the rage at the minute and although none of ours usually wear one, we have seen the application of a hood benefit one filly in particular. Honey Boo Boo was a very frantic individual and used to get quite worked up on the heath but the headgear seems to have settled her down really well and made her much more pliable to train. Her name is a funny one and the owner informs me it is something to do with a TV programme that is set to hit our screens soon!

Honey Boo Boo (Adam)

After the first few meetings were abandoned due to poor ground conditions, I'm delighted that Brighton is back in action on Tuesday and I've got four declared there. It looks likely though that only two will run - Silver Alliance and Chilli Green.
Silver won last time out and is in the form of his life. The cheekpieces seemed to spark him up last time and hopefully they do the same again.
Chilli has been trying, without success, to get some black type in listed races. She reverts to handicaps this time and hopefully she can find things a bit easier.

Silver Alliance (Ross), Attain (Alfie) & Entrance (Shelley)

With 30 horses, 3 parrots, 5 cats and two dogs, you would think there are enough animals at Harraton Stud but we've got another new face after Mary the jack russell arrived. She is actually the grand daughter of one of our old dogs Jemma who was a brilliant mouse catcher so if those instincts have passed on I'll be more than happy.