Tuesday 7th April, 2026

Bluenose Belle (pictured) is declared at Taunton on Thursday in the two miles mares handicap hurdle run at 3.40pm.  She won two hurdle races for us last year and prefers better ground so hopefully conditions will suit.  The ground was a bit on the dead side in her last race at Huntingdon and although there are one or two well-handicapped opposition, we are hopeful of a competitive run from her.

Baron Wagstaff found the ground on the fast side at Bath on Sunday and according to his jockey would prefer a bit of cut in the ground in the future.  With the going as it is at present we will look for a race on the all-weather for him and I am sure he will progress and strengthen as the season develops.

With the ground drying out, entries are being put on hold for some of the string who require softer going but hopefully there will be some rain before their summer break.  However we have a few to run on the flat including Dora Vita who has entries early next week.

Congratulations to Molly Armytage on winning on Baunmore Jet at Lockinge point-to-point yesterday.  I along with thirty-nine others, have a small share in the horse and having had some excellent placings he finally won for the syndicate yesterday.  Baunmore Jet is trained by Katie Croft who started her career here in Adlestrop.

Molly is showing plenty of promise as a rider and now has her category B licence which enables her to ride Enqarde in the Foxhunters at Aintree on Thursday.  Enqarde is trained by Celia Plunkett and the horse does some of it’s training here on the gallops at Adlestrop.  With Molly’s father having won a Grand National, hopefully she will have continue the family record around the track.

Very much looking forward to attending the Grand National on Saturday – the best ten minutes of the year.  It is forty years since West Tip won the race and below is a photograph of me with his jockey the day after his great victory, examining a small cut to his hind leg. Puffas were all the rage in those days!