Friday 13th March, 2026

Bluenose Belle encountered softer ground than she would like at Huntingdon on Tuesday finishing fifth, beaten just over ten lengths by the winner.  The ground rode on the rather dead side and therefore she didn’t jump with her usual fluency, however she came to win the race two out but was unable to quicken in such conditions.  We look forward to the ground drying out for her in the coming weeks and I am sure she will be competitive this spring and summer when she gets ground in her favour.

With it being too soft for The Last Drop at Fontwell, we will aim her for Huntingdon on Wednesday.  Whilst we also have entries on Monday for Neeps And Tatties and Dora Vita.  Tatty (pictured) is entered at Ffos Las where the ground looks to be on the heavy side but she has come out of her recent race well and with very few other opportunities coming up, she may well take her chance.

Dora Vita is entered in her first handicap at Wolverhampton on Monday.  The form of her last race has worked out well and she appears to be improving with racing.  Hopefully she can be competitive now handicapping and we look forward to her giving her syndicate some fun on the flat in the coming months.

Agent Argylle and Swift Jet are entered at Newbury next Friday where Agent Argylle will gain more experience following his recent run on the course and Swift Jet will be trying to defy his seven pound rise in the handicap for his win at Doncaster.

As ever Cheltenham has created much excitement this week with some incredibly impressive performances – none more so that Gaelic Warrior’s brilliant victory in the Gold Cup.  Although he has run the odd disappointing race, he has shown on many occasion, including in the Arkle at the Festival two years ago, that he has remarkable engine and his win oozed class.

Very sadly Envoi Allen suffered a cardiac arrest on the walkway when returning to the stables.  His eighth appearance at the Festival, he looked in magnificent condition and ran with credit but such events are hard to take for all, especially those closest to the horse.

It is sometimes hard to make the case to the general public when defending the sport but fortunately such events are very very rare and he left this world very much loved, looking both fit and healthy but succumbing to a rare fate any athlete can suffer.

There will likely be no blog next week as Jo is away but runners info will be posted on our social media accounts.