Hi there,

Not much has happened in the last week but that's been a problem.
Whilst the horses have been ticking over on the all weather gallop to
retain fitness several have missed runs or important schooling
because of the freeze. Therefore we have had to re-group & come up
with Plan B in many cases.

Here is the latest entry news ...

KANDJAR DALLIER - we are gutted that Warwick is abandoned. It's not
often you get the chance to race for such a big prize particularly
when nearly half the field are racing from out the handicap. There
was a question mark as to whether Kandjar would stay 3m5f ( Choc
thought he would stay ) but the horse was in top form & the owners
could have gone to Warwick with prospects of a good run.

Fortunately our next option is at Haydock on Saturday 17th & we know
he goes very well at that track. The 3m Peter Marsh Chase is a
limited handicap with top weight carrying 11st 10lbs & bottom weight
minimum 10st 4lbs. Donald McCain is reported as saying that Cloudy
Lane is to be targeted at the race off a mark of 155. If he runs,
carrying 11st 10lbs top weight, it would leave Kandjar on exactly
10st 4lbs.

LATIN SCHOLAR - he has an entry at Plumpton on Monday but that will
be passed over in favour of some schooling on the grass. Alan is
pleased with Latin at home but this will put the finishing touches to
his preparation The next options for Latin are Newbury on Wednesday
& Thursday at Taunton .... with the latter named looking a big
favourite at the moment. We would ideally want ground no worse than
Good to Soft for his hurdles debut so let's hope the rain stays
away. One 12.5% share remains available in Latin Scholar.

** Alan runs the recently gelded Mount Helicon in the Newbury
juvenile race. He seemed very upbeat about M.H. when we spoke this
morning as the gelding operation appears to have had a positive
effect. There was a lot of Triumph Hurdle ante post money for M.H.
before he ran but it looked a terrible investment after he was turned
over in a poor race on debut. Maybe there is still hope for backers,
we shall see on Wednesday.

OSCAR JACK - he has missed a couple of possible dates this week but
has Plumpton (Mon) and Taunton (Thur) as his next alternatives.
Venetia reports him to be in good form. We shall run as soon as
possible.

CHARMAINE WOOD - by virtue of Taunton being abandoned she qualified
for the EBF Mares Final at Newbury. Her next suitable opportunity
would be at Towcester on Sunday 18th in another 2m novice hurdle. We
know she goes well at Towcester & the race allows her two winning
penalties to be condensed into just 8lb. She is in good form &
decent ground would suit best. If it were to come up very soft we
may think again.

THEATRE DIVA - she only ran on 27th December so had a quiet week last
week. Diva has come out of the race well, is in good form, so we'll
look for something in about 10-14 days time.

DARYAL - trainer Gary Moore reports him as very well & anticipates a
run by the middle of next month. I've been impressed with the whole
set up at the yard since Gary took Daryal on board as the
communication and feedback has been good. The owners of Daryal were
also made very welcome when paying a visit & that is important to the
success of our business. Gary is nice guy & definitely a no
nonesense character who says it the way he see's it. We can ask for
no more & I'm very pleased with the job he has done so far.

DANSIMAR - she is now looking better than she was directly after
Wincanton which is encouraging. Venetia's veterinary team are doing
some further tests but they have put her on a course of
antibiotics. We hope this very useful mare is back on the track
soon.

VALLEYOFTHEDOLLS - fitness wise she is super & has come out of her
bumper race at Ludlow very well. She will have an entry to make her
hurdles debut as soon as Alan can get a couple of schooling sessions
into her on the grass. The thaw starts at the weekend so hopefully
that will be next week.

ASTURIENNE - we have an ambitious plan for her which starts at either
Chepstow (30/01) or Huntingdon (05/02) in an EBF Qualifier. She
will then go to Sandown on March 7th for the EBF Mares Listed Final
with, all being well, another Listed bumper at Aintree in early April
to close her season. Those type of long term plans can end up with
scrambled egg splattered over some faces but we think she is up to
the task.

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL PREVIEW - our annual Preview night, in aid of
racing charities, will take place on Monday March 9th at the Royal
Oak in Prestbury. Expect full details in due course including an
invitation to purchase your tickets. Choc & Tom Scudamore have
already agreed to sit on the panel. Two other guests will shortly
be confirmed.

Many of these preview nights can be drag on & you actually learn
nothing but (totally biased !!) this one is quality as the panel do
not sit on the fence & therefore give plenty of worthwhile opinion.
Their record of winning naps & short price bismarks is top class.
It's always a sell out by the end of February so when the invitation
is mailed please book your tickets quickly.

Best wishes & hope to see you at the races soon.

Mark
www.letsliveracing.com