Monday 8th April, 2024

We were pleased with The Last Drop’s run at Southwell on Thursday.  She settled well in behind the leaders off a pretty slow pace and it turned into a bit of a sprint from the home turn.  This did not suit her but she galloped on up the straight in game style to be beaten eight lengths by the winner in what looks to be a competitive event.  Finn Lambert reported that she was very genuine and would prefer some better ground.  We will now go hurdling with her and I am sure she will provide a lot of fun for The Littles.

With Warwick being off, Elfride was unable to take up her engagement there but she is entered at Taunton and Chepstow this week and appears in good form at home.  We have made entries on the all-weather at Southwell and Wolverhampton for Urban Champion and Fighting Poet.  The former ran well on his last run at Southwell whilst Fighting Poet will be running in the Adlestrop Club colours for the first time and will hopefully give club members plenty of fun over the next few months.

As ever looking forward to the Grand National on Saturday and we hope that the race goes off without any interruption and all come back safe and sound.  The ground will be pretty soft but hopefully this is an opportunity for all riders to set off at a steady pace which I am sure will help all.

Some weeks ago I backed Meetingofthewaters for the race and if the ground is not too testing he should have a good each-way chance having run well at the Festival.  However many will be hoping for a Scottish or Welsh victory with Corach Rambler or Kitty’s Light.

Congratulations to the BHA, GBR and the Jockey Club for launching the excellent website www.horsepwr.co.uk  It shows the sport going on the front foot with transparency and also details the many initiatives taken to ensure it is as safe as it can be for our much loved racehorses.

Like many I was not surprised to hear Aiden Coleman announce his retirement from the saddle this weekend.  Aiden lives locally and I have seen a fair bit of him since his accident at Worcester.  Try as he might a return was not to be, however he has been a credit to his profession and being an intelligent young man, I am sure the sport will find him a worthy role.