Morning,

As one season ends we move into another seamlessly. We still have a few runners
to put on to the track so here is the latest news on those who are still in full
training and/or have just run.

CHARMAINE WOOD - she was expected to run a good race at Stratford but was pulled
up at halfway by Choc. Her jumping, which is normally very good, went to pieces
after just a couple of flights & Choc felt there was something wrong. On her
return to the racecourse stables there was some concern that she had done a
tendon but fortunately it wasn't as serious as that.

After an x-ray was taken by Alan's vet the following day she was found to have
chipped a bone in her knee. After some treatment she'll be as good a new but
she'll not race again until the autumn. Thank heavens for Choc's quick action
which saved the day.

She will remain in training next season to, potentially, go chasing. As she
comes from a late maturing family her breeder, John Hayden @ Eastburrow Stud,
would hope to see some physical development over the summer. Charmaine hasn't
been very fortunate in her 3 handicap hurdles this season & remains of interest
in that sphere too.

DANSIMAR - she was due to race last Saturday at Haydock Park but had to be
pulled out on race day due to an unexpected change in the going description.
The BHA website & the Racing Post reported Haydock's ground as Good to Firm
(Good patches) from Monday 20th to Friday 24th inclusive. As there had been
zero rainfall the track must have watered the ground to keep it consistently at
this description over a 5 day period.

However at 7am on Saturday it changed to Good to Firm (Firm patches) ..... cue
about a dozen non runners including Dansimar. Why had they let it dry out in
the 24hrs before racing after everyone had all declared on better ground ? Were
they giving an accurate description through the week ?

This was very reminiscent of their last jumping fixture which was decimated with
non runners due to unexpected fast ground. Haydock are quickly becoming a
source of embarrassment with going descriptions. It's not professional enough &
makes them look a poorly run track. They seem more intent on attracting as
many people as possible to spend money drinking themselves stupid throughout &
after the meeting.

** It's the end of a long season, so please pardon the rant, but it does hack
everyone off to pull a horse out at late notice

Dansimar will now head to either Uttoxeter (2m4f handicap hurdle) or Doncaster
(1m6f handicap) this Saturday. Hopefully with loads of rain about the ground
will be suitable at both venues to allow a free choice of race. Venetia will
decide where we go and is very keen to run as the mare is in excellent form.

LATIN SCHOLAR - he ran well on Friday at Bangor to come 3rd but was not suited
with how the race was run. His best form on the flat was when coming off of a
fast pace & this may prove to be his forte over hurdles as he does look a little
bit one paced. There was a funerial early pace which meant the race turned into
a sprint finish.

Wayne Hutchinson had Latin well enough placed turning for home & was going very
well but, in hindsight, he wished he had kicked sooner as Latin didn't have
another gear from 2 out. I agree that would have been a better move but we
don't have the benefit of hindsight during a race so it was very honest of Wayne
to say what he did. Latin's jumping was pretty good, is improving with
experience, so he can win soon as his mark is proving fair. The form from
Southwell, when 2nd, has been franked with Westerner winning at Wincanton on
Tuesday. His mark remains the same so all we need to do is find the right
race.

Latin is a lovely looking strong horse, still only 4, so there is plenty of
physical development to come. The jockeys who have ridden him say he'll be
well suited to jumping fences in time.

OSCAR JACK - he had to miss Bangor as there wasn't enough cut but he does hold
an alternative entry this Friday at Fontwell. There is plenty of rain about so
I'm hopeful we'll get a run. Venetia reports him in decent form at home.


As we move into the summer break our newsletters will become less frequent.
Whenever we have something important to pass on I'll mail out the details to
you.

best wishes,

Mark
Racing Manager
www.letsliveracing.com