MANY long hours in a horsebox has been the theme for the last few weeks. Runners at Doncaster and Musselburgh have meant that a lot of time has been spent driving up and down the motorways of England in search of winners.

Last weekend, on Friday, we took a team of 11 horses and six staff to Musselburgh for two days racing. Kevin Parker and Kate Nutt shared the driving in the big 10-stall lorry and were accompanied by Beth and Harriet. Dawn Holley and myself headed off in the two-box with one runner and all the gear, equipment and feed. An 8 o’clock departure time with the hope of getting up to Musselburgh ahead of the dreaded Friday traffic.

Luckily, with reasonably quiet roads, we did manage to arrive in good time. On Saturday after the morning feed, we rode out the 11 runners on the track. The day kicked off with Touch Kick in the novice hurdle who ran a much better race to finish second. As we had hoped the ground was good and hopes were high with our remaining runners for the festival.

Diego Du Charmil, a Cheltenham festival winner, got us off the mark with a ready win in the Scottish County Hurdle and it was a landmark win for his jockey Harry Cobden who now has ridden out his claim. That win was quickly followed up by Wonderful Charm in the hunters’ chase. Ridden by Will Biddick, he sauntered home to win with any amount in hand.

A nice pub tea and a early night followed before we began the second day. Again we rode out in the morning, the six runners set for Sunday.

Frodon was the star of show and he made no mistake in winning the novice chase in good style. The day got better for Mr and Mrs Vogt who doubled-up with San Benedeto who had been knocking on the door all season. And if that wasn’t good enough, the day got even better with El Bandit scoring in gritty style in the Pertempts Qualifier to win in a photo finish.

GOOD SPIRITS

Eleven runners and five winners meant that the travelling party left in good spirits and it helped make the nine-hour journey home feel just a tiny bit shorter! We arrived back and by the time we unloaded to head home it was 4am, and I have never been happier to see my bed!

The week before, I headed to Doncaster for four days, and two days at the beginning of the week were for the January HIT sale in which we helped out with the late Graham Roach Dispersal sale.

A total of 14 horses went, ranging from three-year-olds to 11-year-olds. Paul was successful in buying two nice unraced three-year-olds, including the sale-topper by Flemensfirth. If that wasn’t enough of Doncaster, I headed back up on the Friday with three runners.

Aux Ptit Soins spearheaded the team but a disappointing round of jumping saw him toil in last of the four runners.

Hopes were then left with the Gi Gi Syndicate’s Brio Conti in the novice hurdle. Confidently ridden by the brilliant Sean Bowen, he jumped superbly before quickening right away to win by nine lengths. He is a lovely young horse who could hopefully make an impact at some of the big spring festivals.

We made the journey home on Friday night before heading back again on the Saturday, this time with six runners. Coillte Lass was the highlight for us in an otherwise disappointing day when she ran with great credit in the Grade 2 mares’ hurdle. Off level weights with the awesome Vroum Vroum Mag, and up against her elders for the first time, she ran a blinder to finish third and gain some more very valuable blacktype. She is a rapidly improving mare who will be aimed at the big spring festivals.

On Monday afternoon last we were delighted to welcome Jamie Codd and Niamh Flynn from Tattersalls to have a look around of the yard.

It’s the time of the year where a lot of the pieces of the Cheltenham Festival puzzle are pieced together and this weekend is Betfair Hurdle day at Newbury; the exciting Movewiththetimes is hoping to enhance the already great record of JP McManus in the race. Elsewhere, in Warwick, Lifeboat Mona heads the field in the OLBG Mares Hurdle. For more information on this weekend’s team please check out Paul’s betfair blog at https://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/