I’m no good with oils, pastels or watercolours so I decided to go for creosote. It turns out I’m a wizard with the brush and I’d soon covered some wooden foaling sheds I’d built at my wife’s stud.
I must say I quite enjoyed it and it helped me relax when racing was called off for a couple of days due to the cold weather.
Some of the stuff I’d read after Altior’s win at Ascot last week got my back up. He jumped out to his left at some of the fences but it’s nothing to worry about.
It’s nothing we can’t sort out and I don’t think it should be a topic of discussion really. People should enjoy the horse instead of trying to pick holes in him.
Conditions have been so dry we weren’t able to school him at home since he won the Desert Orchid at Kempton over Christmas.
Special Tiara led for much of that race and he was jumping out to his left. Horses are pack animals and they often follow the leader. I just think Altior was remembering that at Ascot. That’s just the type of horse he is – he’s intelligent.
He won’t be running until the Festival now so he’ll have a couple of schools on the lead up to Cheltenham.
IT'S AFTER MIDNIGHT Your in-depth preview to Saturday's Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham
I won’t be at Cheltenham today as I’m heading north for three rides at Doncaster.
I start off on Nadaitak (2.05) for Ben Pauling.
I’ve not ridden him before but he did win at Doncaster in November before he was turned over at long odds-on back here last month.
His jumping was a bit deliberate and he did pull a bit early on so I can’t imagine that was his form.
David Bass’ horse Commodore Barry seems to like making the running so there should be some pace in the race despite there being only four runners but it wouldn’t bother me if we just let Nadaitak go.
We’ve got cheek-pieces on him today and that should help him.
He’s a big gangly horse who needs a bit of holding together. He wore them a few times when he ran on the Flat so we’re hoping that using them over hurdles will do the trick.
He’s such a big horse it’s a wonder they were ever able to get him into the stalls.
Hopefully, he can run a big race.
I’ve always quietly fancied myself as a possible James Bond so it’s good to get the nod for O O Seven (3.15).
He had a wind op over the summer and Aidan Coleman thought that had definitely helped when he beat Go Conquer over course and distance on his first run of the season.
I schooled him on Thursday and he seems in great order. He’s a straightforward horse and the boss thinks he goes up there with a really good chance.
I rode him when he finished fourth in the Topham around the National course a few years ago and he’s a good jumper. We know he likes Doncaster so there’s plenty of positive vibes for him.
My other ride is in the bumper. Nonesuch (4.25) is a mare with a good pedigree.
I thought she ran a big race when third at Ludlow and she will have come on for that experience.
She just needed the education and she seems to have sharpened up a good bit at home since then.
We’re all looking forward to seeing what she can do today.
Source: Read Full Article