Tuesday 16.07.13

I went to Stratford on Sunday with Simon Beccle and Marie Ellis, we had a very nice lunch on the way there in preparation for what we hoped would be a successful day. Unfortunately things did not go to plan, they went to quickly for WESTERN KING, he didn't jump great-seeming to be out of his comfort zone. It wasn't one of his best runs. I think I may try him back over hurdles where he has been successful before.

We fancied SCEPTICISM in the Juvenile Hurdle and thought he would run a big race, I think we would have been in with a shout as the form collapsed half way round but he was brought down at the 5th hurdle when going extremely well. Horse and Jockey are fine, full of beans this morning. He will hopefully go to Newton Abbot on the 3rd August.

We then went to Newton Abbot on Monday - along with every one else going down the M5 to Weston-Super-Mare in the sun. Noel got knocked out in the first race and the ground was much quicker than I anticipated so I withdraw VICTOR LEUDORUM. VAN DIEMENS LAND (USA) ran well to the bend where he faded quickly, it is proving difficult to find his ideal trip.

Today we got 13 horses in, it is nice to see the barn full again. They all look very happy to be in out of the sun and the flies. They were all waiting at the gate with big bellies and are now happy in their stables with their new shoes on.

Saturday 13.07.13

I played in a very good cricket match yesterday - it was the first time I have scored for quite a long time! I bowled 3 overs and I was the last man left in batting. Not quite up to ashes standard but all good fun!

We took four horses up schooling on Thursday only to find the 3 flights of hurdles and one fence had disappeared. I rang up the JC gallop man to complain and the next thing I knew Thames Valley police force turn up as it turns out £17k worth of easy fix jumps had been stolen. It just goes to show nothing is sacred any more.

We have two runners a piece on Sunday and Monday then the plan ahead is to get the rest of the horses in from grass on Tuesday next week.

I am looking forward to SCEPTICISM run on Sunday. I have 2 shares still available in him so watch this space. WESTERN KING runs over fences at Stratford, he is on great form at home tanking up the gallops. VICTOR LEUDORUM and VAN DIEMENS LAND will run at Newton Abbot on Monday. Victor has top weight in the H'Cap Chase but I am hopeful he will run well, showing good signs at home. VDL also has top weight in the H'Cap Hurdle, we have stepped him up in trip since his last run which should suit better.

SCEPTICISM (USA)

FOR SALE
SCEPTICISM (USA)
READY TO RUN. ENTERED AT STRATFORD SUNDAY 14TH JULY

4 SHARES AVAILABLE AT £3,500, please contact for more information.

Monday 8.7.2013

We decided not to run VICTOR LEUDORUM (IRE) on Sunday as the race did not really suit. The H'Capper has since dropped him 1lb so we now have a few more options for him.

SCEPTICISM (USA) worked outstandingly on Saturday in front of some prospective owners, we think a lot of him. I have entered him today at Stratford on Sunday which should hopefully be a nice race for him. Please contact me for information about purchasing a share in him.

We were all thrilled to see Andy Murray win yesterday, on the back of that I have just reserved the name MURRAY'S MOUNT which I think I will name the Trans Island store horse that  I brought from DBS in May.

WESTERN KING (IRE)  enjoying a pick of grass on Friday..

02.07.13

Last Thursday I went to Germany to take a look at some horses for sale, I sat on a lovely horse called Verano who I originally saw back in November. He has won a race since then and reminds me very much of Airforceone. I regularly buy horses from Germany as I think they are better value for money.

I  ran Van Diemens Land (USA)  on Sunday at Uttoxeter, although the trip was to short he ran very flat which wasn't expected. We will draw a line through it and move on.

Noel came in to school 2 horses on Monday morning. The really nice 3yo Scepticism  jumped very well over the hurdles, he is a quick learner and did it easily without a lead. Victor Leudorum schooled over fences, he loves his jumping- absolutely pinging them. He has been dropped a bit in the weights and is entered in a H'Cap at Market Rasen on Sunday. I have only taken a brief look at the entries at this stage although there aren't as many entries as I would have expected it looks a strong enough contest..

I had my annual trip to Wimbledon yesterday, it is always a great day out with a brilliant atmosphere. I thought Andy Murray played very well, I am a big fan of his and hope that he has a win in him this year. Serena on the other hand did not look to be trying very hard!

Charlie Mann Charity Golf Day

On Monday 24th June Charlie hosted a Charity Golf Day at Calcot Park in aid of JT McNamara. The weather held out and it turned into a very successful golfing day! Many Trainers, Owners and Jockeys turned up to support, all contributing to the pot. Mikael Magnussons team won for the 3rd year in a row - although it is debatable as to whether they actually did score a birdie at every hole! Golf was followed by lunch in the club house where the raffle was drawn and a successful auction took place. We will update you on the grand total but we expect that it is will be in the region of £7,000.

Tuesday 25.6.13

We ran Yazdi at Royal Ascot on Saturday in the Queen Alexandra, he ran well and gave his owners a nice day out. I didn’t get to speak to the jockey afterwards as Silvester de Sousa had already walked off-flat jockeys are very different!. After that run I would expect him to come on  and run well in a Novice Hurdle. over the same distance.

The only entries we currently have are for Van Diemens Land who is in two races on Sunday at Uttoxeter and will more than likely run in one of them. He worked well on Saturday  and should be there or there about at the weekend.

The other horses on the yard are looking very well indeed. They all have a lovely shine to their coats and are buzzing on the gallops. Looking at upcoming races Victor Leudorum may go to Market Rasen a week Sunday for 2m 6 f Novice Chase , there is also a h’cap there and possibly a Novice Chase that we could look at before Market Rasen. He is in good form, he looks very well and is moving nicely. I am looking forward to running him.

I am looking to run Western King at Newton Abbott on 8^th July in a Beginners Chase. He is in good form and is now moving better after having his back and withers treated.After disappointing us last time out I hope he runs up to his merits this time.

Scepticism our new 3yo Juvenile Hurdler is a cracking horse. Noel has been in to ride him regularly, he works very well and has been schooling beautifully – he seems to be a natural. He has filled out so much and I think he has grown since he has been at Neardown, I am very excited about his future. He is ready to run and will do so when he is sold!

CJM