If Carlsberg did weekends i think it would be very close to the one we have just had here at Eccleswall Court!!!
Friday 24th February Kate and I headed down to Exeter with the John and Judith Murray owners of Kingswell Theatre. ‘Thomas’ as he is known in the yard had been largely disappointing this season after a great run first time out when 3rd in the Welsh National Trial at Chepstow. He next two efforts in decent company at Cheltenham and Warwick had seen him pull up and come tenth both times in soft/heavy ground. Ridden by Ben Poste every time, Ben again rode him at Exeter, we were trying him on some better ground hoping this would make a difference, and what a difference it made!! Jumping off prominently he remained in second until taking the lead five fences form home. Dispite challenges from either side at the last he bravely hung on to win the 3m6f Devon National by a neck, this was Ben’s Biggest win so far and his first winner riding for us!! This was a good performance off a rating of 130 and hopefully now we know the conditions he seems to like he can kick on from here, we will see how he is but certainly the Midlands National at Uttoxeter could be a good option for him.
Very Happy connections after the race!!
Saturday 25th February- Along day as Kate, Bella and I left at 6.30 to make the long trip up to Newcastle with Mysteree and Streets of Promise. Both horses were due to run in the grueling 4m Eider chase, Mysteree having been 4th in the race last year and Streets trying the marathon trip for the first time. Mysteree ridden by Robbie Dunn and Streets by Ben Poste. Lynn and Angus Mysteree) came down from Edinburgh and Tim Hopkins and team had come to cheer on Streets. Both horses just about managed to avoid the chaos at the first fence and both soon found them selves travelling upsides each other and in a nice rhythm. As they went out on their last circuit the field was beginning to thin out and there weren’t that many of the 18 strong field in contention. Streets was beginning to find her heavy weight taking its toll and despite running a good and encouraging race pulled up 4 out. Mysteree kept going, sent for home four out by Robbie stayed on brilliantly to win by 4 lengths. This was a fantastic performance from this quickly improving 9 year old, carrying a lot more weight than last year and really backing up his Haydock victory earlier in the season. He is a very brave and honest horse who jumps well and just gives his all, it was a great team effort with him as Bella looks after him and Gabby rides him every day. Both horses have come home fine and we will give them both plenty of time to get over a race like that before making any plans but both horses have bright futures and we are very lucky to have such exciting horses and to win two nice handicaps in two days was amazing so a big thank you to all the owners and credit to the team Kate, Maisie, Bella and Gabby for all their hard work.
We also had Monbeg Aquadude (Liam Treadwell) and Voila Eric (Tom Cheeseman) running at Chepstow on Saturday. Monbeg ran very well to be fourth in a 2m3f novice hurdle getting out paced before staying on well. Owned by Mark Blandford and Family this is a big horses with a bright future over fences and one we are excited about he just needs time to fill into his big frame. Voila Eric was slightly disappointing in the bumper he is a horse who we think a lot of and his point to point form has worked out well. Again a big horse who is on the weak side perhaps was unsuited by the very soft/heavy ground, there will be better days for him. Grace Tara has run on the 2nd and 19th of this month finishing 2nd both times a tough mare owned by Having a Mare, she put in two strong performances especially when both times conditions perhaps weren’t ideal. She will hopefully get her head in front again soon and will be out again while the ground is soft.
Gabby and Mysteree at home. 
Robbie and Mysteree Jump the last in front.
Coming back in victorious!!!