Meddling gets gold

I thought we'd be able to get a winner from the runners we had last week but I didn't expect to have to wait right until the end for it. The horses all ran respectably, notching four places between them and collecting a bit of prize money.
Meddling is a horse who has always worked well at home since we bought her from Sir Michael Stoute last autumn but had been incredibly frustrating by not reproducing that ability on the track. However, she had been getting very upset in the stables at the races and must have used up a lot of energy before the race through nerves. This time, we got to the races as late as we could so she had less time to worry and it worked as she remained cool in the preliminaries and manged to make all the running to score her first win. The win should do her confidence some good and this could be the start of good things now we know the key to her.

Meddling and Shelley win at Lingfield

 

Despite a load of runners last week, we still have a few more to send to the races in the coming seven days and the horsebox will be racking up a fair few miles in the process.
No Such Number has been running well on the flat all winter without winning but he did score over hurdles. He's going hurdling again on Wednesday at Worcester and I think he has a great chance in what could be a weak selling race. We are not particularly keen to sell him or anything but he is running in this race because there aren't many other options for him until he is handicapped and he enjoys jumping the French-style hurdles that this track and Southwell have.

No Such Number (Reno) 

 

Another long trip will be made the following day as Luhaif heads to Chester's big May meeting. He has been a bit off the boil recently but we've been doing little things at home with him to perk him up and he'll even have a little pop over some jumps tomorrow just to get the fire back in his belly. The signs are good as he has been working much better at home and with blinkers on too, hopefully he'll be hard to catch from the front and get us a big winner.
Avidly is entered at Nottingham on Saturday but she would not want the ground softer than good as she can't handle deep going. She too seems to be going better now and can hopefully make up for some below par runs recently.
On the other hand, Handheld is entered that same day but won't run if the ground is firm. He has been shining recently with some really brave efforts and deserves to win again soon.

Avidly (Graham) & Luhaif (Ross)

 

Completing the runners list is Tiger's Home at Nottingham on Friday. She ran a perfectly good comeback race last time but got very tired. The drop back to six furlongs will help her and I think she has a great chance of winning another race.

Our other speed queen Honeymoon Express is well on the way to her comeback and may be running in a couple of weeks. She needs firm ground so we will have to pick the right day to run her but she is flying at home and I'm excited to run her again.

Honeymoon Express (Shelley)

 

 

Bushy Glade (Shelley) & Celestine Abbey (Adam)

 

We had a fantastic visit from world-renowned horse whisperer Gary Witherford on Friday as he gave a demonstration at our yard to a group of Chinese apprentices. I've seen his work before but you are always sceptical as to what he is doing because he usually works with one of his own horses. However, this time he used our very own star mare The Ducking Stool and I couldn't believe what I saw! He can form a connection with a horse unlike anything I've seen before and he had Ducky doing circus tricks like a pro! It was fascinating to watch and I fully recommend you watch him if he is giving a demonstration at a racecourse near you.

Gary Witherford in action

 

The boys in the yard love a good bit of competition and the annual Heath Run gave them an opportunity to flex their muscles on Thursday evening. With specially made Team Feilden t-shirts and headbands, they certainly looked the part and they put in some decent times. Unfortunately they couldn't go for the team prize because there was no girl as Shelley was away racing but they may have had a chance of winning it if they did. Marathon man Ross found the 6km trip a bit sharp but came home in 3rd place, Danny made a sparkling debut in 25th, Ryan showed that no training and smoking like a chimney does you no harm by finishing 34th and Graham got the time he was aiming for in 63rd. Out of the 200 runners that took part, it wasn't bad going!

Team Feilden

 

 

Three To Follow Update

There wasn't much to write about after a slow-scoring month but now the runners are beginning to find their positions and in the joint lead with 10 points thanks to the win of Meddling we have: Geoff Walton, Stephen Broadley, Linda Wright and Rob Wright.