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.