Carlisle

I was delighted with how our two horses ran at Musselburgh on Thursday. Although she didn’t win, in a funny way I was happiest with Aazza because she really looked like she wanted it again. After Bangor we were a bit worried she wasn’t interested any more, but getting back on ground she likes really helped and her attitude was fantastic. 

Okavango Delta has been threatening to do what he did and Craig Nichol gave him a fantastic ride to get in front. That race he ran in at Kelso has worked out really well, with the step up in trip helping this time. I actually think with the way he finished his race we could possibly look at three miles with him at some point. 

We’re heading to Carlisle tomorrow with three in the same race, the 2m3f novice hurdle at 1.25pm. Running so many against each other isn’t something I like doing, it’s actually a nightmare if I’m honest. 

But…with the ground being the way it’s been until now, we have to start getting them out and going. We’re into December tomorrow and so many have not run yet, so it’s time to really get cracking because our owners have been very patient. 

Getting experience is the name of the game for our trio. FOREVA ALFIE (above) has been off the track for almost two years bang on. He’s had a lot of issues which we’ve had to manage and Caroline and Richard Roberts, who own him, have been incredibly patient and supportive. He’s taken quite a bit of getting fit but he’s a horse we like a lot at home. He’s only ever run in a bumper at Sedgefield before so it’s going to be a learning experience for everyone. We’ll know more about him afterwards. 

DIAMOND MIX is a lovely horse and a real yard favourite. He ran in two bumpers last season and has schooled well. We’ve taken our time with him, he’s a chaser in the making really so it’s about getting him jumping and building him up. 

We bought SULOUMAR DREAMER as a four-year-old but he’s had a few hitches along the way. We’ve brought him along slowly but he’s ready to get started now. A very well-bred horse out of a Presenting mare, I think he has a nice future. Because of how brittle he’s been we’ve waited for the ground to come right for him. 

His mother is Lethem Present, a three-mile chaser for Tim Butt back in the day, so he will want a longer trip in time. What we want to see from him is getting, enjoying it and coming out of it well.