Stable update on our three Sue Smith trained horses after a meeting with Assistant Trainer Ryan Clavin.
Despite having suffered a pain in his back as a result of damage to his T12 vertebrae in a recent gallops fall, Ryan was willing enough to suffer a further pain in the backside in the form of yours truly, who travelled to Craiglands Farm in search of an update on the well being of our three jumpers, Fill the Power, Delusionofgrandeur and Charlie Wingnut.
FILL THE POWER
Ever since his tendon injury last May 2015, FTP has been turned out on moorland owned by Harvey, simply back to nature, outdoors 24 / 7 …chilled out, eating grass with the likes of his mate Mr Moonshine, and enjoying every minute.
To maximise the chances of a full recovery, we have already announced he won`t be racing this season, so FTP is set fair for another 5/6 months of outdoor life.
It was however, good to hear from Ryan, that he had just got back from moving our fella, plus two showjumpers, as well as the legendary Auroras Encore, from their moorland home of the last six months, on to land with fresh grass, bales of hay, and, would you believe, a barn in which they can shelter from whatever nature may throw at them over the coming weeks.
Add to that the thick coats they have all grown, and I`m assured they will all be very happy and cosy in their de luxe winter `accommodation` !!
There will be at some stage in the coming weeks, a trip to the vets for a scan on the leg in question, but other than that, not much else to relate really with Fill the Power, except to wish him and his mates well for the next few months.
DELUSIONOFGRANDEUR
“Steady away” says Ryan, one of Harveys favourite phrases which Ryan seems to have somehow adopted as well, to describe the state of play regarding any enquiry about horses in their keep.
“He`s fine, but only doing cantering work for now, we`ve no immediate plans for him.”
A point made clear though was the intention to avoid going Novice Chasing with him this season, instead to continue with either Novice Hurdles carrying a penalty, or Novice Hcp hurdles.
All well and good, but having got back home and checked out the Racing fixtures for the next two months, the only NON hcp Novice hurdles before the Cheltenham Festival….avoiding long trips to Newbury, Huntingdon etc are at Doncaster, Musselburgh and Haydock….ALL prefixed by the name Albert Bartlett !!
Suitable Novice Hcp hdle options for Delboy over the next two months, off a mark of 133, are similarly difficult, if not impossible to find.
So for now, we`ll just have to be patient in the knowledge that we have with DoG, a horse with plenty of potential, he`s in good hands, and when Sue and Harvey return from their winter break, plans for DoG will be high on the agenda when I next speak to Sue.
CHARLIE WINGNUT
Working nicely…..fast cantering…… schooling over hurdles to follow….then a gallop, and plans for his first run for the yard / for us, targeted end of January…probably 2ml 4f hcp hdl
Off a commencing hdl mark of 93, its not bad for starters !!!
