Two exciting new prospects

You can't keep standing still for too long in racing as, if you do, you'll probably get left behind. It's important to constantly be bringing in fresh talent into the yard as and when space allows it and I was delighted to be able to buy two new recruits at the Tattersalls Guineas Sale on Friday.
The first is a lovely looking colt who was sold by Qatar Racing called Limerick Lord. As many of you may remember, the same outfit sold a horse called G Force very cheaply before he went on to win a Group 1 so it is not unknown for some good horses to slip through their net. Limerick Lord was recommended to win by his former trainer Stuart Williams as a likely improver and you can tell from his size that he will only get better with time. He has already won but has never run on the turf so there is plenty more to come. Although some shares are already sold, you can still get involved as the remaining 10% shares are available at £1500 each plus £200 per month training fees. Get in touch with me if you'd like to get involved in this exciting prospect.

Limerick Lord

The second new face is another fine looking bay called Dark Diamond. He too came highly recommended and it is hard to believe that he has only had seven career runs despite being five years old. Having said that, he is a great big horse so may have needed all that time to fill his frame. I've seen his last few races and definitely think there is improvement to come and he reminds me a lot of Sabre Rock who won five races on the bounce for us soon on arrival. Hopefully he'll run for owner Dick Creese if I can talk him into it!

Dark Diamond

The biggest invasion on the south coast since William The Conqueror landed in 1066 is likely to be seen on Tuesday as we send a raiding party of four horses to Brighton.
It just so happened that a lot of ideal races for a good few of my horses were scheduled that day and it's a  track I've been lucky at in the past so thought it a good opportunity.
First up is Inauguration. She is back in maiden company but it is a weak race and she is well treated at the weights due to the conditions of the race. She is very tough and has plenty of experience so hopefully that will put her in good stead against some less-experienced rivals.
Veeraya has been a bit of an enigma since joining us but it has probably just been the case that he was too high in the handicap after winning a maiden. He is coming down the weights now and will eventually find his level. He carries his head quite high so we're putting a tongue strap on him just to try and get him to drop his head a bit. The unique track could perk him up and I hope he can start getting back into some form.

Harry Bosch (Adam) & Veeraya (Ross)

Third up will be Harry Bosch. He too is falling down the weights and his debut run for us last time wasn't bad at all. He is a big stuffy horse and will improve for the run again but he seems very happy in himself and I hope he can win some prize money.
Completing the quartet is Bushy Glade in the apprentice race. She was very disappointing last week at Wolverhampton so I'm turning her out again quickly because she needs to redeem herself! She'll wear cheekpieces and hopefully they can perk her up a bit.

As if I hadn't had enough of the place from all the Tuesday runners, we're back at Brighton again on Wednesday. Avidly is a really tricky customer and guessing how she'll perform is near impossible but she does seem very happy at home and her gallops have been quite impressive. We're just going to let her do her own thing and hope that the ups and downs of Brighton are to her liking.

Avidly (Tess)

The horsebox gets a day off before hitting the road again on Friday. It's A Sheila Thing makes her debut at Nottingham and I hope she can put in a good performance. She hasn't been blasted at home as I didn't want to wind her up too much but she seems to have plenty of raw ability and hopefully she can show this on the track. It should be a good education for her to build on over the coming weeks.

Nottingham is on the menu again on Saturday with two entries, although only one will run. If the ground is firm, Automotive will take his chance. He is flying at home and is more than ready for a run. A lot depends on what side of the bed he wakes up from but he is more than capable of running well. If the rain falls, Handheld will head there instead. He loves soft ground and has won at Nottingham twice before so those aspects hold no fears although I do think he's a bit better later in the year.
She may not be running but Honeymoon Express will also go to Notts on Saturday to complete her stalls test before racing. She got very upset and burst out the front at Doncaster last time so she needs to pass this test to race again. I don't think she should be a problem and it was just a one-off so, all being well, she can hit the track again soon.

Handheld (Ryan), Dakota City (Mark) & Automotive (Ross)

It was a shame The Ducking Stool couldn't take her chance at Wetherby last weekend but she is back in flying form and could have a run at Newmarket the week after next. She is likely to improve for the day out but it will be good to get her season started again.

The Ducking Stool (Nick), Bethan (Megan) & Vastly (JF)