Hello,

With Cheltenham over, and I hope your's was successful, we face yet another busy
period. Here is the latest news.

JUST RUN

DANSIMAR - she ran in the David Nicholson at the Festival but it was an
anti-climax as she faded away quickly from half way. Sadly she came back with
a very painful splint on her off fore so this disappointing performance is
easily explained. We can only guess that she rapped herself when hitting the
5th hurdle. It was dreadfully disappointing for the owners but she'll be back
for more good days.

Realistically we would have had no chance of beating the ultra impressive winner
but the 4th (Over Sixty) was rated 3lb lower than us yet was only beaten a
length for 2nd. I'm trying to look positively at the result as it gives us a
goal for next season.

Venetia hopes to run her again this season but only if she can get the splint to
clear up fairly quickly so Dansimar will spend this week doing some swimming
therefore. She remains highly exciting for Listed Mares races next season as
she is improving at a rate of knots.

3 WEEKEND RUNNERS - all live on Ch4

KANDJAR DALLIER - he goes to Newbury on Saturday for a 3m (0-140) handicap
chase. Having won off 127 (raised 8lbs) at the start of the season he's now
dropped back to 132 which looking better. The form of his last run at Doncaster
has been franked with those in front & behind running respectably since. He'll
do what he always does - try his best - and if the cards fall right he'll be in
the shake up. Decent ground will be a plus.

CHARMAINE WOOD - she goes for the EBF Mares Final on the same Newbury card off a
mark of 117. It's surprising to see just 16 entries for this valuable race but
I'm not complaining as she'll go there with a decent chance.

Choc's going to ride Dancingwithbubbles, she has good form with Carole's Legacy
(ran below par at the Festival), but I'm sure Charmaine won't be far away. We
can forget her last run as the ground was horrible at that stage of the season.
I hope she runs well as the owners have allowed Alan & I to be patient with her
until the ground dried out. Pray for a dry week !

THEATRE DIVA - she is likely to run on Saturday at Haydock in a 2m4f handicap
(0-145) over brush hurdles. She coped well with those obstacles last time so we
hope she'll do so again. The handicapper has left her alone after a really good
3rd last time at Southwell so that can only help. Like Alan's team Venetia's
yard remain in flying form.

NEXT WEEK

VALLEYOFTHEDOLLS - she will get an entry into 2 Mares novices next week.
Firstly at Fontwell on Friday ( 2m2f ) and then Newton Abbot on Sunday ( 2m6f ).
We'll have a look and see what race looks best option nearer the time. Alan
said she schooled nicely this morning and he's happy with her.

LATIN SCHOLAR - he ran Ok at Huntingdon last time but didn't entirely impress
with his hurdling. He was schooled over 9 flights this morning to sharpen him
up and we hope he'll take that into his next run. He'll get an entry next
week in another novice race but may do some more schooling to.

BACK SOON

OSCAR JACK - he's basically fine but needed to recover from a slight infection.
His work will be stepped up later this week with a view to seeing him compete in
handicap chases shortly afterwards. Venetia says he is now looking well again.

DARYAL - he made his comeback from injury at Lingfield last week and did well
enough. His jumping was too big but that's probably due to racing over fences
when we saw him last. Gary is happy with his progress but he's proving quite
hard to get fit.

OTHER NEWS

ASTURIENNE - she ran really well at Sandown in the EBF Final to a point. She
looked sure to be involved in the finish as she made nice ground to the 2
furlong pole but then weakness kicked in. Wayne said she gave him a great feel
but just struggled to get home. She looked a bit light in the paddock, which
can happen with young horses, so Alan has recommended that we rough her off now.

She has done her job with a win & a placed run but will be some prospect next
season with a summers grass. She is a quality filly and I'm sure we'll have
loads of fun with her next season over hurdles. One for the notebook !

VENETIA - congratulations must go to Venetia and her team for a fantastic
festival with 2 winners & some placed efforts. Where does she get the
improvement from with her handicappers ? It was good to see Aidan Coleman get
off the mark as well, he is a rider going right to the top.

ALAN - had a frustrating time last week with loads of placed horses & some bad
luck. Thank heavens Oh Crick gave him a winner in the last race otherwise our
normally mild tempered trainer could have blown a gasket or 5. Another
festival duck was broken with Wayne Hutchinson riding the yard's winner. Well
done to Hutch for a terrific ride !

Until next time, enjoy your racing.

regards,
Mark