2 December
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Stoneford has his second start for us at Leicester tomorrow, in a very competitive looking selling race.
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In hindsight it was the wrong choice of race for the gelding, as this looks harder than the 0-120 handicap on the same card.
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'Tone' needs to have improved vastly on his modest first run of the year at Carlisle seven weeks ago to make any impression against his six rivals.
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An hour later and Wherewouldugetit, who hasn't lived up to expectations this season, takes his chance back in novice company.
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There were positives to take from his first completion over fences at Market Rasen last time and the good ground will suit.
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The six-year-old will improve with the more experience he gets and off a feather weight could outrun his odds.
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22 November
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Its been a long time since Northandsouth was able to show what he is capable of, and Tuesday may be his last chance.
The huge gelding, rising 11-years-old, has dropped down the handicap and finds it difficult to get in races these days, and we have to take whats on offer.
Two miles and Southwell on good ground should be ideal, but racing from 7lb out of the handicap isn't.
That said, he should strip fitter than his last start at Hexham and has a new pilot aboard in Charlie Todd, who has no pre conceptions about him.
Should he fail to run to a reasonable level then a long retirement awaits.
Believe it or not, he is still the fastest horse we have ever had over 3f despite his age!
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21 September
After a couple of recent abortive trips to Sedgefield with Lord Springfield, tomorrow we head to Warwick in the hope of some nice jumping ground.
The seven-year-old is stepping to 3m2f and moving into handicap company, following his Southwell win 65 days ago.
He settles well in his races and looks a galloper, so the extra distance might be enough to help him bridge the gap into this higher grade.
Doubtless he needs to improve on his last time out win, but he seems well and is ready for the next step up on the ladder.
'Rupbert' isnt the best of travellers in the lorry so he will be accompanied to the course with stable buddy Moorlands Mist
3 Sept
With the ground being deemed to quick for Lord Springfield last week, we go back to Sedgefield in the hope that the surface is a little better tomorrow.
The gelding has a penalty to shoulder, which obviously makes life difficult, but he is in really good form and should be hard to keep out of the frame, at the very least.
Not so straight forward is Northandsouth who takes his chance in the last.
Page Fuller had an awful time on the 10-year-old at Uttexeter on his first start following a long break, virtually bolting with her.
Hopefully the freshness will be out of him tomorrow evening and Sam Coltherd now takes over.
I doubt Page will be too unhappy about not riding him again!
The bottom weight is a law unto himself and has loads of ability, but getting him to use it sparingly isn't always easy.
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He will be dropped in tomorrow and try and creep into it. Thats the plan anyway.
21 August
Tomorrow see's the return to the racecourse of the giant gelding Northandsouth at Uttoxeter (2.45).
The 10yo is extremley headstrong at home and has just two gears, slow and flat out, and it makes his preparation all the more difficult.
He posesses tons of speed but he wants to use it up all in one go, so exercising him like any normal jumper isn't really an option.
His fast work is usually done alone and most days he just hacks up the gallop, very slowly.
You wouldn't know how fit he is for his first run back, but he looks straight enough to the eye.
We have taken the decision to book Page Fuller for the ride as he has previously won for a lady rider.
If it were over 4f he would be a banker but there is another 2m on top of that to worry about.
On Monday Wherewouldugetit returns to Southwell following his luckless run there previously.
He will wear a visor for the first time, replacing the cheekpieces he wore when fifth over the course and distance 25 days earlier, and drops into novice company.
Woody continues to work better than his handicap mark but has to prove it in the afternoon, otherwise a career point to pointing awaits.
Later in the week Lord Springfield could take up his entry at Sedgefield in handicap company, following his win in novice grade last time.
The chestnut is straight forward in everything he does at home and judging on his sole racecourse effort for the yard, he must have a chance off his present mark.
3 August
Tomorrow's meeting at Beverley will be something new for the yard, with our first runner on the flat.
Sunstorm was originaly going to be sent over hurdles, as he has plenty of size for a flat bred.
Unfortunatley his lack of enthusiasm for jumping was the catalyst for the U turn and the chestnut will go to post for the 5.00 race. He will doubtless start at huge odds over a trip (1m2f) he is unacustomed to.
It is really a fact finding mission with him and being rated only 45, getting him in any race is a victory in itself.
Sunny will probably need the run, might not stay the trip, has wind problems and is racing for the first time in over 12 months.
Not much going for him but you have to be in it to win it, and he will be there to do his best.
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21 July
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It was a great thrill to score with our first runner of the year! at Southwell on Sunday, and we travel to Uttoxeter on Thursday for the next.
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Woody, entered in a division of the 0-100 handicap hurdle over 2m7f makes his debut for the campaign following a 231 day break.
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He has been the galloping companion of Rupbert (Lord Springfield) for the past few weeks so has something to live up to.
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We have always thought top of the ground might be what he needs, as he seemed to lose his way on a soft surface, following a promising start last September.
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There is little doubt that he has been given a good mark by the handicapper and its really up to him to show us he retains the ability that saw him win a point-to-point in Ireland, prior to joining us.
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9 July
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After over seven months without a runner, we head to Market Rasen tomorrow with stable debutant Lord Springfield.
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The former Irish point winner will need a stiffer stamina test than he will get at the Lincolnshire course, and his long absence will doubtless also count against him.
However, he is ready to start his season off and Market Rasen do a wonderful job producing nice jumping ground, so this seems a logical starting point for 'Rupbert'.
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8 March
Its will have been over three month's since our last runner but Rupbert - also know as Lord Springfield - has been given an entry at Hexham on Thursday.
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Its not that we haven't got any horses but that they have needed time for whatever reason. In fact its quite the opposite, as we could have six on the go shortly and another two to come back in a fews months.
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Rupbert was bought privately and has some fair form already in the book and he jumps well.
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The big gelding has an entry in the maiden hurdle over 2m4f and assuming the ground isn't too testing he could take his chance.
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Hexham haven't raced for three months so hopefully the ground will be slow but not the usual 'Hexham heavy'.
19 November
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Wherewouldugetit goes up to Hexham tomorrow for his first venture over a trip which should better suit him, than his two previous starts for our yard.
His home work tells us that he has more ability than he has shown so far, but as he is such a good moving horse I am concerned that the testing ground will be against him.
Eviscerating was a non runner last Saturday at Wetherby owing to a slight lameness.
That has cleared up quickly and he has an entry at Haydock this coming Saturday.
Track,trip and ground will be perfect for him although the opposition looks decidedly strong.
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17 November
Eviscerating was forced to miss his Wetherby engagement yesterday owing to being slightly lame.
Hopefully he will be ready to run in the next couple of weeks time.
Wherewouldugetit has an entry at Hexham on Wednesday and should be suited by the 2m4f trip.
Less suitable is the probable heavy ground. He seems in good form at home.
