Friday 10th April, 2026

Apart from a few grazes, Bluenose Belle appears fine this morning after her fall at Taunton yesterday.  It was uncharacteristic of her but she may well have been put off by a swinging hurdle.

Unfortunately Finn Lambert has a fracture of his T4 – but it is a stable one, along with a broken rib – and in many respects he was lucky to not suffer a more serious injury.

Belle appeared to be going very well at the time with conditions in her favour but hopefully all connections will have a bit more luck in the future and she can get back to winning ways now the ground is in her favour.

With very little rain about, Agent Argylle (pictured) will now go on his holidays and not take up his engagement at Chepstow tomorrow.  Hopefully he will strengthen up over the summer and be competitive in handicap company stepping up in trip and chasing will undoubtedly be his forte.

We have a few entries next week with Dora Vita, Manalishi and Baron Wagstaff and plenty of others to run if we have some rain.

Off to Aintree today and tomorrow for my annual pilgrimage.  I am very lucky to be a guest of owners at the world’s greatest steeplechase and with perfect ground conditions, hopefully we have a great contest to look forward to.  This year’s National looks very open but my ante-post each ways are on Gerri Colombe, Oscars Brother and Iroko.  Good luck to all and may all return safe and sound.