Monday 28th April, 2025

We have declared Fighting Poet at Brighton on Wednesday in the 6.25pm – the mile and a quarter handicap.  He won twice on the track last season and it looks a good starting point for him to begin his summer campaign.  We have booked Saffie Osborne to ride whose father used to train Poet and we look forward to him enjoying himself by the Sussex seaside on ground he has won on before for the Adlestrop Club.

Smile Back (pictured) settled well in the maiden hurdle at Chepstow on Friday and stayed on up the straight despite looking one paced.  Once she learns to settle better she should enjoy more of a test of stamina and hopefully if some rain comes in May we will be able to get another run into her.   She looked in great condition on Friday but will undoubtedly strengthen for a summers rest.

We have entered Idas Boy and The Last Drop at Uttoxeter on Saturday.  The dry forecast will not help but we will take a view on Thursday morning whether the ground will be safe enough for them to take their chance.  Idas Boy appears to have come out of the Grand National well and it would be good to get another run into him.  Whilst The Last Drop showed promise in novice hurdles and this will be her first run in a handicap.

With the jumps season coming to an end, it was always going to be a transitional year for us at Adlestrop Stables with many of our stars retired including Organdi, Totterdown and Picanha.  Hopefully we have some nice young horses coming through.  It was interesting that all our winners this year were mares and hopes are high for the new season with plenty of talent still at the maturing stage.

Congratulations to Willie Mullins on once again remarkably winning both Irish and British trainers championships.  Whilst Sean Bowen is both a credit to the profession and his family being crowned Champion Jockey for the first time.  Having known his parents for many decades he has undoubtedly been brought up to show determination and resilience and we look forward to him continuing to be a great mentor for young riders and the sport.