Happy New Year!

We didn't have the best of starts to 2017 with poor old Vinny Gambini breaking his hind leg at Musselburgh.  He fell at the first, and we think by trying to stand up, somehow the hind leg got in the way.  Just awful, and I must say I was relieved I wasn't at the track.  He was a lovely horse, who I was confident still had the old ability there.  We were just waiting for the moment for it to fall into place for him again, maybe that would have been the day?  I was at Musselburgh yesterday, and everyone I met was so kind and sympathetic; everyone knows how tough it is losing a horse, and everyone feels it for others when it happens.

Ironically Vinny's fall hampered Mister Don somewhat, who found himself in an unpromising position then.  However he did rally and finished well to be 3rd, so he's run well.  We know it's not enough of a test for him round there, but as he wants good ground, there aren't a lot of choices at this time of year.  We might have one more try there with him.  And then we had another 3rd at the track yesterday with Proud Gamble.  He again ran so well, in what was a better race, and off 103 now - so we were very happy with that.

I haven't mentioned Bako's 2nd fantastic win just after Christmas.  Craig had a bout of illness, so couldn't ride that day, but Lorcan stepped in and gave him a lovely ride.  And like at Kelso we got a real race, this time from bottom weight Joseph Mercer who we were giving almost 2 stone!  So actually probably quite lucky we had Lorcan's 7lb claim there!  Bako did look, travel & jump like a class horse in that race, so we're obviously pretty excited about his future.  The handicapper was pretty impressed too, and clobbered him with 13lbs-that's 25lbs for 2 races!  That's what happens when you're 23 or 4 lengths clear of the 3rd horse...  Anyway, hopefully he'll be up to his new rating.  And his future will certainly be over the larger obstacles.

Some Reign makes his long awaited debut for us in a bumper on Friday, at Wetherby.  A talented but problematic horse.  He seems to be in very good order, so hoping he'll give a good account and show the wait has been worth it.  We also run Bigiron on either Friday or Saturday, so very excited to see him run again.

Last but certainly not least, I'd like to congratulate my old friend Rhona Elliot for receiving an M.B.E on the New Years Honours list.  Rhona has been remarkable with her tireless work for M.S., despite suffering severly herself from the disease.  It's so brilliant she has rightly been recognised for her incredible work.  And hugely successful fundraising too, I'm not sure of the exact figures, but it's something in the region of £50,000.  I might have to check that and confirm soon!!