Cold and bright today, lovely winter weather. A memorable winner at Kelso on Monday with Cavalier du Luy getting off the mark in good style, plenty more to come from him I hope. Plenty of improvement from our other runners especially Lance les Des, Lester Mail and Suspected all putting up career bests and Eloi du Puy ran much better. Old Comrades was probably wanting for fitness on his first run back in a strongly run race on testing ground. Then Ned Tanner ran an excellent race at Haydock, beaten 5l in 3rd on ground that wouldn’t see him at his best.
Cavalier du Luy
On to Musselburgh’s famous New Year’s Day fixture tomorrow where we have three runners on a competitive looking card and the ground will hopefully be good to soft. We start with Ozzy Cosmo reverting to fences in the 13.05; this is a very tight track for a big horse like him but he needs decent ground and is very well handicapped as and when it all comes together for him so we thought we should give it a go with an impending cold snap – 7 run and Ryan Mania rides.
Ozzy Cosmo
Bel Amigo runs in the Hogmaneigh Hurdle at 13.40; this is ultra competitive for an excellent prize, he is on good heart and should give a bold show but there doesn’t appear to be much leeway in his handicap mark – 9 run and Bruce rides.
Bel Amigo
Artic Mann will be 12yo tomorrow and he runs in the 14.51; he’s been in great order despite his advancing years and to an extent has his consistency has been what has prevented him winning more often in that despite being beaten 9 times since his last win he remains on a 1lb higher handicap mark. Tough on him as he so deserves to win again, will hopefully run well – 8 run and Bruce rides.
Artic Mann
The joy of winning!