Working Saturday 26th April

Horses working last Saturday
From left to right - Western King, Who Owns Me, Van Diemens Land

News@Neardown 2.5.13

News@Neardown 02.05.13

With 16 winners on the board the 2012/13 jumps season drew to a close last Saturday. Statistically it hasn’t been one of Charlie’s best seasons however there has been a lot of development during the year. Building the new yard has been a big project and there has been a lot of progress. I do felt we were dealt a few blows early on in the season with the injuries to Low Gales and Greyfriars Drummer setting us back, as well as being at the end of some pretty aggressive handicapping (Prolinx!). The biggest problem has been we have spent the whole winter racing in mud which you will agree has led to some pretty strange results!

I am sure next year will be highly successful for Charlie as he has a really nice bunch of horses to take forward into next season with a solid team behind him. I will take this opportunity to say I am moving on to pastures new to assist at Charlie Longsdons. It has been a fantastic two years here; I have really enjoyed getting to know you all. I hope to see you all racing in the coming seasons.

Feisty Lass

She has put back on the weight she lost at Ffos Las and is very happy in herself. Charlie plans to run her sometime next week before she heads off to the sales on the 14^th May.

Fine Parchment

He is loving the warm weather and spending lots of time in the field. It has been a long season for him although I still think he is well and fresh enough for one last run before his summer break.

Masked  Man

He is another one loving the warmer weather. He has had a crack down the outside of his near fore hoof, which caused him a few lame steps last Friday however he is fine now and back in full swing.

Mlimau

Rose continues to ride her everyday, she is maturing each day and getting a little full of herself every now and then – it is a good sign that she is strengthening up. Her summer coat has come through nicely in the last week.

Prolinx

He worked nicely yesterday. Gavin schooled him this morning; he went slightly steadier than normal! Charlie hopes to run him at Southwell next week, where surely it should be his time to get his head in front!

Seventh Sky

He ran a blinder to finish 4^th at Sandown last Saturday. I personally felt he didn’t quite stay 2m 3f. The check pieces were a definite help to him, I though it particularly helped him go through with the end of his race. Charlie plans to give him an entry for the Swinton Hurdle although there could be some easier targets around the same time.

Van Diemens Land

He has done 3 solid bits of work since his wind op which has brought him on nicely. Being a slightly stuffy horse he will still need a couple more weeks of solid work before he is ready for a run. He loves going out in the field.

Victor Leudorum

He ran below par at Ludlow on Sunday, nothing all that obvious has come to light other than a bit of a stiff back and a few cuts and bruises. The chiropractor has been to see him and he is coming again today for a check up. He is another who enjoyed this morning out in the field.

Western King

He really is in good form at home. Rose tells me he is flying and ready to run. The ground is perfect for him at the moment.

Who Owns Me

He schooled over fences for the first time this morning and was electric. He has bags of scope and is sure to have an exciting Novice campaign next year.

Yazdi

He ran his most promising race over hurdles to date on Saturday to finish 3rd. He has come out of the race better than ever. The key to his good run was the good ground, he travelled and jumped so much better on the quicker ground.

News@Neardown 25.04.13

News@Neardown 25.04.13

Elmore Back

We were initially disappointed with his run at Southwell as we all thought he would win. However he has come back with a bit of a sore back, nothing serious but bad enough in my opinion to think there will be considerable improvement for his Novice Hurdling campaign next year.

Feisty Lass

She ran okay at Ffos Las, at one moment looking like she might get a decent place. I was particularly pleased with her jumping. However I think this is probably as good as she is. Charlie plans to keep on running her in the hope of nicking a weak race before she heads to the sales.

Fine Parchment

It has been a long season for him therefore we have been slightly altering his routine to try and keep him fresh and he is in good form. I think he will be ready to go in 10 days or so.

King Arthur

 After his poor run we got him gastric scoped as we thought he may have stomach ulcers, which could have been the reason for his poor run and looking backwards in his coat. However his scope wasn’t bad enough to suggest that was the problem. Charlie thinks he may just be over the top after racing all last summer in Germany and then coming over here running through winter. He most likely needs a summer on his back.

Masked  Man

He ran a great race at Wincanton, he came out of it very well. He really has turned a corner with the spring weather and looks so much healthier in his coat. It is likely that he will head to Market Rasen on Saturday.

Mlimau

4yo Filly Kayf Tara x Explorer

She is showing a great attitude and has come on a lot since she arrived. Her summer coat is coming through nicely. Rose has been riding her and says she has a good canter on her and thinks she will make a nice horse next year. She will go out to grass soon where hopefully she will add a bit of size and mature a little.

Prolinx

He looks great and is ready to run.  We had the back man do a precautionary check this morning; he was happy with him so we will work him on Saturday. Charlie will then find a race for him.

Seventh Sky

He has the most fantastic skin on him. He holds an entry at Sandown on Saturday, which Charlie plans to take a look out. However he does remain a Novice until October so there will be lots of opportunities between now and then. Personally I am interested to see how he goes on better ground as he shows so much speed at home.

Stoney Silence

He came out of his race well. He ate up and enjoyed the next morning in the field. He will make a very nice Novice Hurdler next year. He has already done some baby schooling so the jumping won’t be a problem.

Van Diemens Land

He did his first bit of work on Wednesday since his wind op.  Gavin was happy with him but said he would need a few more bits of work. I am looking forward to seeing him run on some better ground.

Victor Leudorum

He schooled this morning; Charlie tells me he was brilliant. He is ready to run again and holds an entry at Huntingdon on Sunday.

Western King

He looks very well now the spring weather is here; he is working well and is ready to run. I don’t think the better ground will be a problem for him so there will be lots of opportunities for him.

Who Owns Me

He really is bouncing out of his skin at the moment. He is another one ready to run. We just need to find somewhere where the ground is on the softer side for him.

Yazdi

He could go to Market Rasen on Saturday, another horse that looks better now the warmer weather has arrived. Gavin schooled him this morning and said he felt great. The drying ground will be a positive for him.v 

News@Neardown 4.4.13

News@Neardown 04.04.13

Attimo

With the ground drying up it is unlikely we will be able to get a run into him this year. We are going to keep him ticking over till the sun shines and the grass grows when he can then be turned out. I think he will benefit from having another summer to mature.

Ballymurry

A few little problems came to light after his disappointing run at Exeter. His back and heels were sore. We think we have now sorted them out and he is back in his normal routine and very fresh.

Big Jer

2m 6f at Fontwell was a bit on the short side; however Sam was very pleased with his jumping and felt he would be a much stronger horse next year. With the ground drying up it looking more and more likely that he won’t run again this year. We do plan to keep training him just in case we get some wet weather towards the end of the month.

Duke of Monmouth

Noel came in to school him over fences for the first time this morning. He took to it well and like everything he does he gave it his all. He was very clever going both long and short. Noel felt that his lack of size was made up for in his attitude!

Enter Paradise

He is in terrific form at home; he did a routine canter today and is entered at Ascot in a 0-145 boys race on Sunday. To me it looks to be a competitive race, there could be something else easier for him.

Feisty Lass

She did a piece of work yesterday with Masked Man. She went very well and showed she has fully recovered from the race on horrible ground at Southwell. I think the drying ground will help her, however the race she is entered for on Saturday is over 2m 4f which to me may be a little on the short side on quicker ground.

Fine Parchment

He is running rather sooner than we had planned, however he came out of his race at Fakenham better than I thought he would. He is in good form at home but is taking on a very competitive field.

King Arthur

 He does not look that great in his coat but he is working well at home. He seems to be going about everything with a lot of energy. He is entered at Chepstow on Saturday and Ascot on Sunday which are both realistic options.

Lord of House

Happy and fresh at home, we are praying for the weather to warm up and the grass to grow so we can turn him out.

Maringo Bay

I really think we have turned a corner with him; he is looking well and eating well. He seems to be back in good health.

Masked  Man

He really has come to himself in the last few weeks. His next run will be much improved on his previous two. He has had a nice break and done some nice bits of work-the better ground will be a big help to him too.

Prolinx

He has just been ticking over in his usual routine. Nicky felt he was not moving to well on Saturday so we had the back man in to take a look at him. He found him to be a little sore so put him right, it is not serious and hasn’t missed a day – he will be working again on Saturday.

Seventh Sky

He looks better than ever. He holds entries at Aintree and Chepstow on Saturday, with Chepstow being the preferred option. I think he will run at good race if he does go there.

Stoney Silence

He holds an entry at Chepstow on Saturday where his participation will be ground dependent. He wouldn’t want it to soft and he wouldn’t want it to quick! There could be a better option for him in a week or so.

Van Diemens Land

He is currently at the vets having a wind op.

Victor Leudorum

Noel schooled him this morning, he was great! He is very athletic and bold. He holds at entry at Ascot on Sunday however there could be easier places to start him in his chasing career.

Western King

Gavin schooled him over fences again today and he showed us he is getting better and better every time. The ground has dried up nicely for him; he is going very well at home and will run well wherever he goes.

Who Owns Me

He is in amazing form at home and will run his heart out today, however he really is up against some stiff competition.

Yazdi

Noel schooled him this morning and was happy with him. The better ground will be in his favour and he should be out again soon, needing only one more run before he gets a mark from the handicapper.

Lambourn Open Day

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 The Silent Auction is on line at www.lambourn.info until 6th April. There are some great and unique items. 

New@Neardown 21.03.13

News@Neardown 21.03.13

Attimo

The splint on his leg has not reduced in size at the rate we had first hoped. He has had a cortisone injection and will be on the walker for another week. We hope to ride him on Monday.

Ballymurry

He was disappointing at Exeter on Tuesday, he looked to be hanging and not moving that great. Nothing has immediately come to light that would have caused this, however we do have the back man coming to give him a check up.

Big Jer

He looks very well and worked nicely yesterday. Charlie hopes to run him over 2m 6f at Fontwell next Tuesday. I would be hopeful of him running a good race.

Duke of Monmouth

He has had a very quiet time since his last run at Chepstow. He is eating well and looks well; however he is still not as fresh and bouncy as he can be.

Enter Paradise

He is fresh and well and ready to go, the ground will need to dry up a bit for him to run again.

Feisty Lass

She ran a creditable race on ground that I thought was too soft for her. Gavin reported that her wind caught her out in the closing stages, therefore we will apply a tongue tie next time. She has run up a bit light so it will be a few weeks before she is next out.

Fine Parchment

He ran a solid race at Fakenham only to get muscled out 2 fences from home. His jumping was as brilliant as ever. He has come home fine and we now plan to get him freshen up before he runs again. The Handicapper dropped him 2lbs.

King Arthur

We are just waiting for some better ground, he is fresh and well and ready to go. I am looking forward to seeing him run in a hood as it seemed to work for the RSA winner last week!

Lord of House

Noel came in to school him over fences again this morning, he schooled very well (Video on the website) and has improved again from last week. Noel thought he would make a good chaser next season.

Maringo Bay

Charlie has been riding him a lot, he reports him to be very fresh. He hopes to have him out in a couple of weeks.

Masked  Man

He is another one that really needs the ground to dry out. He is a bit behind the others with his summer coat coming through; however this is no reflection on his form. He is currently trying to buck people off at every opportunity!

Prolinx

He was unlucky at Southwell, I personally felt that in the heavy ground over 2m 4f he just struggled to quicken and go through with it. I thought on the whole his jumping was great and he is improving with every run. He is still well handicapped. He came home well and should be out again soon.

Seventh Sky

He won nicely at Taunton but was given a 9lb rise which I thought was a bit harsh. He holds entries at Bangor, Newbury & Wincanton this weekend. Wincanton looks the most obvious at this stage to cut up.

Stoney Silence

He schooled very well this morning for Noel. He really likes him, he still has a lot to learn but there is potential. It looks like he may have another bumper run before he goes out.

Van Diemens Land

 He has come out of his Sandown race fresher than he went into it! I suspect he wasn’t letting him self down in the heavy ground. We are now waiting for some better ground with a step up in trip.

Victor Leudorum

 He jumped like a little bunny this morning, if anything a bit exuberant! Noel was happy with him.  He is not far off a run now; he just needs the better ground.

Western King

Gavin schooled him this morning; he is improving with every schooling session. His coat is slowly coming through and he looks well. Charlie hopes to run him soon however he could really do with the ground drying out a bit.

Who Owns Me

He really is ready to run soon and looks terrific. The race at Bangor on Saturday looks very competitive, there might be easier options coming up.

Yazdi

He came home with a bad overreach, which Noel thinks happened at the first hurdle, which would have affected his run. However 2m 5f in soft ground may have been a bit much for him at the moment. The overreach is healing up nicely and I hope he will be out again soon.

Schooling 21.3.13

Lord of House and Noel Fehily being led by Mr Big

Peter Toole was all smiles today, he schooled Mr Big over the Grand National fences - foot perfect!
Pete will be leaving us at the end of the week, to return home to Ireland. He will be greatly missed by everyone on the yard, it hasn't been easy for him since his accident but he has made a great recovery and we are all very proud of him.