We’ve been doing plenty of jumping in the school recently, here is Dom on his runaway Newcastle winner Whiskey on Ice

We haven’t had a runner since the first week of June, our longest sabbatical in many years so it is hard to know exactly where we are with the horses.  We’ve had these races in mind for a while though and have prepared the horses accordingly, time will tell whether they are fit enough to hold their own against horses that have been running all summer.  Their preparation has been very straightforward and I couldn’t be happier with where they are so we go back into battle with a sense of nervous optimism.

Bel Amigo

First up tomorrow will be Bel Amigo in the 14.47, the Lord Mansfield Memorial Hurdle.  He was 3rd in this race first time out last season off 3lb higher so can hopefully put up a bold show and banish memories of his heavy fall at Musselburgh in February – 12 run and Bruce rides.

Burning it Up

Next is Burning it Up making his chasing debut in the Thank you to Kinneston Owners Handicap Chase at 16.32.  He was 2nd over this trip at Perth over hurdles off 2lb higher and in time should improve for fences, clear round always the main priority first time but he would be a wonderfully appropriate winner. Bruce rides and 9 run.

Anamanda

Finally Anamanda runs in the Nairns Oatcakes Handicap Hurdle at 17.07.  She also ran in this race first time out last season and was a slightly disappointing 6th; beaten less than 9l though and is 9lb lower this time round so on paper she could go well if she is fit and in the form she was when signing off with a 2nd at Musselburgh last season. Bruce rides and 12 run.

The G Wizard

On to Thursday when our first runner will be The G Wizard stepping up in class and trip in the 15.59.  It is a very big ask for him but he ran well first time out last season and performed consistently well thereafter.  I’m hopeful he will stay and that he is unexposed in which case throwing our hat in the ring in a good race feels worthwhile.  12 run and Bruce rides.

Maillot Blanc

Course and distance winner Maillot Blanc runs in the 16.34; he had a good season and as a result resumes his career off the highest mark he has had for a couple of years.  Be wonderful to think he can go on higher but it may be that as a 9yo he needs to come down a bit but we will see – Dom rides and 9 run.

Beat The Retreat

We are doubly represented in the closing race at 17.10 with Beat the Retreat (Dom) and TakeyoutotheIsland (Bruce) both of whom have finished runner up over course and distance in the recent past.  A maximum field of 16 runners may not suit Beat the Retreat who likes a bit of space in his races, he’d also prefer a bit more give in the ground as would TakeyoutotheIsland.  We may get that and the latter has certainly been working like an improved horse over the last few weeks.

TakeyoutotheIsland – was a bit wetter when he was runner up here last time out

Ground will be an ongoing concern for jump racing this autumn with the long range forecast looking unusually dry at the end of the driest of summers.  Whilst it will be highly competitive it is great to see Perth having such strong fields with 128 runners declared for the 13 races.  This is in stark contrast to most of the jump racing taking place which is suffering from persistently small fields.  This is all down to one factor – the ground.  The sport needs to be ultra flexible over the next two months and adapt the racing to where conditions are suitable rather than embarrass itself with uncompetive racing.  It will be interesting to see whether the racecourses and the BHA can actually bring themselves to do the sensible thing.

Finally the Great North Run – a brilliant effort from Lucy, Kit, Johnny & Dom who all ran exceptional times (1h 20m – 1h 40m, reverse age finishing order!) and raised just shy of £10k for the Injured Jockeys Fund – a fantastic effort for a fantastic cause, sincerest of  thanks to all of you that donated.

The horses did really well this summer, plenty of grass and the sun on their backs

Our first runners should be at Perth on 23rd September but I have resurfaced to highlight a special event this weekend.  In some ways we are veterans of the Great North Run, the world’s largest half marathon that gathers the best part of 60,000 people to Tyneside this weekend every year.  My role of course is restricted to support crew but our sons Johnny and Kit have both run very well on several ocassions over recent years, often raising plenty of money for the Injured Jockeys Fund.  What makes it particularly special this year is that they are going to be joined by their sister Lucy who whilst a jockey was a regular beneficiary of their wonderful assistance.  The IJF then stepped in big time when she suffered her career ending injury at Newcastle in November 2020 and played a massive part in her rehabilitation.  She still regularly goes to Oaksey House in Lambourn and we couldn’t thank them enough for their help.  She is of course fund raising for them along with her brothers and they have set up a page https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2026.enthuse.com/pf/lucy-kit-johnny-ijf – we would be thrilled if you were able to donate something to support such a worthy cause.  Our conditional jockey Dom is also taking part but sadly no Bruce who had been training for it (n/r self cert).

Kit & Johnny at the Great North Run in 2022

We have had a busy old time of it over the last few months, we did a particularly deep clean and repaint of all the barns and have just completed an extension of our main all weather gallop.  Lots of time devoted to finding horses and really pleased with the eight we have managed to buy from a wide variety of sources.  We have refocussed our training methods with an emphasis on more precision re speed and most importantly made some very good haylage.  The horses have been coming on nicely; we have been a little more patient with them and they and are just where I would like them to be – strong, keen and very much in the zone with their work.  They are carrying a bit more condition than they usually would at this time of year thanks to the good summer and our steady approach.  It will be fascinating to see how our early runners perform and that will give us a good benchmark re where we are with the majority of the string.  Bring it on, have a great weekend everyone.

The extension to our main gallop was completed today – two weeks ahead of schedule

Kit & Dom this morning in their IJF tops

Back up the road tomorrow morning for Perth’s Gold Cup fixture. The ground looks like being on the soft side of good and we have one runner – Maillot Blanc in the 17.37.

Maillot Blanc

He won this race last year and has been on great form this spring. As a result he has to carry top weight in a fairly competitive 14 runner handicap which will be a tough ask especially with a couple of potential improvers in the field. We will give it our best shot – Bruce rides.

He will most probably have a break after tomorrow and if that is the case we will have no horses in training for the next month. No harm in that as plenty to do and already looking forward to filling the yard up again early next month.

Gorvennec

Sales season is well upon us and we were delighted to buy two lovely horses at Doncaster this week, another one acquired privately in France and a beautiful horse bought at Cheltenham in late April so we are steadily building the equine team for next season.  Really excited to have these promising young horses in the yard and can’t thank our Owners enough for their support.   More business to do and next stop is Tattersalls Sale at Fairyhouse on Thursday.

Lake Nagambie – 4yo filly by Jet Away, winner of her only start in a point to point.

Royal March – 5yo gelding by Dartmouth, 2nd on his only start in a bumper.

Le Coup d’Envoi – 5yo gelding by Bathyron, 3rd over fences at Auteuil earlier this month.

Jackson Court – 5yo gelding by Court Cave, winner of a point to point in March

No winners at Perth’s April meeting but a reasonably productive time with TakeyoutotheIsland improving to be a good 2nd, Ned Tanner and Suspected running nice races to be 3rd and Nae Bother at A’ showing up much better to be 5th.  Oor Wish ran well for a long way but was possibly showing the effects of a long season, Beat the Retreat didn’t really show up at all and L’Appel du Large still has breathing issues.  Jirko took a heavy fall but was fortunately OK.

TakeyoutotheIsalnd with Caitlin & Dom – surprisingly wet at Perth in the end

Maillot Blanc – far side, it’s just as well feet don’t count!

And it is Perth we are off to this week with 8 runners declared across the two days of their May meeting, traditionally our last busy fixture prior to returning with fresh horses in late September.  Ground should be well watered easy side of good, a few showers certainly wouldn’t go amiss to stop it drying out too much.  Five of our runners are tomorrow and we start with Oor Wish in the 14.00; this is a decent enough mares maiden hurdle and on achievements to date I’d say she is booked for 7th of the 11 runners, I think she will improve and perform above this level but a major step forward is required to make the frame – we might have to wait until autumn for that – Bruce rides.

Oor Wish

Suspected improved to win over 3m at the last Perth fixture, he did that well and the extended 3m 2f trip in the 15.08 tomorrow shouldn’t be a problem.  Up 6lb for his win he has the advantage of Kit’s 5lb claim coming back into play so all being well he should give a good account though this is a step up in class and a deeper looking sort of race – 12 run.

Suspected

Jirko runs in the 15.43; he was travelling nicely last time when unshipping Dom with a circuit to go and he drops in class over the same 3m trip tomorrow.  If – and its quite a big “if” – he can get into a good rhythm with his jumping then he could put up a bold show.  It’s odd because when he started over fences last autumn he looked very good in the jumping department but he has become a little erratic – hopefully Bruce can sort him out, 8 run.

Jirko

TakeyoutotheIsland runs in the first division of the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle at 16.55; he has a bit to prove at present as he disappointed on handicap debut at Carlisle last time, not really coming up the hill with any conviction.  Hopefully the combination of the flatter track, a 3lb lower mark and an 8lb claim from Dom will see him being more competitive this time – he has plenty of ability but has been injured a couple of times and those old injuries might just be taking the edge off but I’d like to think he could take a decent step forward – 10 run.

Takeyoutotheisland

Course and distance winner Beat the Retreat runs in the 2nd division at 17.25; he seems in great form and ran well enough last time over an inadequate 2m and ought to run better back over his best trip – 10 run and Dom rides.

Beat the Retreat

It will be back to Perth on Thursday with three runners starting with two in the maiden hurdle at 13.48.  L’Appel du Large (Bruce) is making his hurdling debut having had a wind operation since not performing to our expectations in two bumpers.  I’m not sure how successful that operation has been and I’d just like to see him run a better type of race starting out over obstacles.

L’Appel du Large

Nae Bother At A’ is lowly rated and has failed to fire in two handicaps, dropping back to 2m in weight for age company may seem an odd thing to do but we just need to see him finish a race off as he appears to have plenty of ability at home – Sean rides and 13 run.

Nae Bother At A’

Last but not least is Ned Tanner who runs in the 3m handicap chase at 14.33; he ran a nice race in better company over course and distance last time; he was 3lb out of the weights that day so a repeat of that form should see him involved – Sean rides and 6 run.

Ned Tanner

I am due to have some rather invasive dental treatment tomorrow morning after which I am supposed to rest for the remainder of the day.  It may well be that I do that though it will be hard to resist a trip to Perth, albeit in a low key fashion if I am under the weather.

Happy Days!

Not the Chablis yesterday – he is now looking for a second career and will make a fabulous horse for someone

Our season on the track ended in inauspicious fashion with disappointing runs at Perth on the Friday from Nae Botha at A’ and Gorvennec; a shame as the horses had generally run well up to that point at the three day Festival.  The season as a whole produced 17 memorable winners but our winning strike rate was down though our place rate held up well enough.  Overall I wasn’t satisfied with the results and we will be having a good look under the bonnet to see if we can identify any changes from previous better seasons, it may just be the natural cycle of handicap marks and the maturity of the horses.

Breakfast time this morning, a lot of the horses are now enjoying their summer break

A new season beckons and we will kick it off with two runners at Kelso tomorrow assuming the ground is genuinely good as advertised and no faster than that.  First up is Lester Mail in the 2m 5f handicap hurdle at 15.25; he was staying on nicely towards the end of the race on handicap debut last time and looked like he would improve for the step up in trip assuming it doesn’t come too soon – Bruce rides and 11 run.

Lester Mail

Maillot Blanc runs in the second division 16.00; he has been in good form this spring finishing a close 3rd over course and distance on his penultimate start then an excellent 2nd at Perth last time.  He should go very well again; my concerm would be that we are pushing our luck by running him for the 3rd time in 5 weeks and that there are also a couple of unexposed horses in the race who may improve for the switch to handicaps – Dom rides and 10 run.

Maillot Blanc

Suspected takes the last hurdle at Perth yesterday

Back up to Perth tomorrow when we have two runners.  Overnight watering is keeping the ground on the soft side of good and we start with Nae Bother at A’ in the 16.25; I remain convinced that he is a much better horse than has been seen on the racecourse to date and despite being 7lb out of the handicap I would like to think he will run well – he seems in good order and we have done a lot of work to improve his confidence jumping wise, ground should suit – Bruce rides and 12 run.

Nae Bother At A’

Our last runner under rules of the 2025/26 season will be Gorvennec in the 17.00, another who is yet to show his true ability in his races.  He reverts to hurdles tomorrow and I think his two runs this season should both be ignored, hopefully we will see more of the true horse tomorrow – Bruce rides and 12 run.

Gorvennec

We start with Oor Wish making her hurdling debut in the Mares Novice Hurdle at 13.40; she has had three nice runs in bumpers and schools well though tomorrow will be about education more than anything else – 9 run and Bruce rides.

Oor Wish

Platin Moon runs in a competitive looking 2m 4f handicap hurdle at 14.10; he seems in very good order, won last time out and should improve for the step up in trip but this does look tough with plenty of other improvers lining up, would much prefer if he had ended up in the other division of the race which looks a considerably softer option – Bruce rides and 10 run.

Platin Moon

We run Ned Tanner in the 3m handicap chase 15.40; 3lb out of the handicap and ostensibly out of form one might wonder why, but we felt the holding ground had a part to play last time and I like the idea of stepping up to 3 miles on decent ground.  Even 3lb wrong he is well handicapped on his old form so it is worth a go before he goes on his summer holidays to see if we can finish the season on a more positive note. Sean rides and 7 run.

Ned Tanner

Dropping back in trip is Beat the Retreat in the 16.40; he won nicely last time and has been kept fresh for a spring campaign so goes there in great form, not sure the big field will suit and the 2m trip is certainly an unknown these days but he was 2nd to the 160 rated Thistle Ask over this trip as a young horse and if he can get a good position early he could run a big race – Dom rides and 16 run.

Beat the Retreat

Finally we will run Jirko in the Conditional Jockeys Chase at 17.15 so long as the ground hasn’t dried up too much.  He’s in great form and has made the frame on all of his starts this season but all on very soft ground.  One would imagine good ground round Perth will be too sharp for him but worth a go off a very light weight – Dom rides and 11 run.

Jirko

Be lovely to bag another winner or two to end the season on a good note but it looks very competitive with all sorts of Trainers from up and down the country making their way to Perth.  I expect the ground will start at good to soft and dry through the week, not too much I hope but our Friday runners like good ground.

We have four declared tomorrow and start with Eagles Cairn in the Maiden Hurdle at 13.40; for one reason or other he has lost his way and PU on his last three starts, whilst this is a strong maiden we just felt it was worth dropping back from handicap company to try to restore his (and our!) confidence so he will be ridden accordingly – Bruce rides and 10 run.

Eagle’s Cairn

Just an Artist returns to the scene of her October win at 125-1 and she certainly won’t be those odds in the mares handicap hurdle at 16.10 after a solid and generally consistent season.  The track, going and trip should all suit well and if she can repeat the form of her last run at Musselburgh she ought to be involved at the business end – Bruce rides and 7 run.

Just An Artist

We have a runner in each division of the 3m amateur rider hurdle and first up is Suspected at 16.40; he stayed on well at the end of 2m 4f at Newcastle last time and looks like he might prefer going right handed so he can hopefully run with credit – Kit rides and 11 run.

Suspected

Jesika takes the ride on Maillot Blanc in the 2nd division at 17.12, he ran really well at Kelso last time to be a close 3rd.  That form looks pretty good now and we know he likes Perth and won’t mind the ground so he ought to play a part as well.

Maillot Blanc

That’s it for day one, at Kelso yesterday Ozzy Cosmo ran like it was the end of a long old season, Lester Mail on the other hand ran a race full of promise to be a staying on fourth.

Ozzy Cosmo

Lester Mail won the bumper on this card a year ago and makes his handicap debut in the 16.30 stepping up slightly in trip.  His novice hurdles were a little underwhelming and his jumping will need to be slicker now he is going handicapping but he seems to have improved on all fronts at home so if he can get into a good rhythm with his jumping early on then he ought to play a part – Bruce rides and 10 run.

Lester Mail

Some great runs at Ayr on Friday for the team with Lance les Des and Ballyfort both posting career bests to come 2nd in much the most competitive races they have tackled to date.  Delighted with them and also with Dubai Days putting up another solid effort to be 5th, Ginger Mail on the other hand didn’t really want to know once the race developed and faded tamely.

Roll the Dice – Lance les Des!

Snippet, Ballyfort, Katie & Camilla

Unfortunately we had a terrible morning here yesterday when L’Arme de Bonheur suffered a catastrophic injury on the gallops.  Desperately sad to lose such a lovely young horse before he’d had a chance to show his ability; very tough on his Owners and the team, especially Caitlin who adored him and looked after him so well, and Mark who was riding him at the time.

L’Arme de Bonheur