We hit the cross bar a couple of times this week with both Three Beauz and Smokey Malone finishing second on Tuesday with one at Redcar and the other at Southwell. Both ran good races without looking like the winner and will be getting their heads in front soon.

We're coming to that time of year when a few horses are heading out on their winter holidays as their season comes to a close but we still have some nice horses for the autumn and ones who will appreciate some soft ground - even though it's still firm in most places!
It's not far away from yearling sales time either and although we won't be buying as many as last year, I hope we can still get a few fresh faces in for next year.

After a busy couple of weeks with runners, we have a  blank one coming up which is a bit of a relief as we have been doing plenty of travelling recently. There's still lots to do in the yard at home though but it's nice to have some time off from sitting in traffic on the motorway or being sent on long diversions due to road closures!

There has been plenty of time for refection over the past week as we have found ourselves in the first race at most meetings so had to take part in the two-minutes silence which every track held before racing each day this week. Everyone has respected the silences but then luckily the mood of the racecourse would pick up as we all know the Queen loved her racing and would want nothing more than the sport to take place.
Yarmouth held its annual three-day meeting and we were there for two days. There was a decent sized crowd and a lovely atmosphere, plus the good weather helped.
The week started great with Fen Tiger making a rare visit to Thirsk for us a winning one. It was a remarkable race to watch as Tiger hit the front two furlongs from home before being headed and a length down passing the furlong pole, However, he rallied tenaciously to win by a head and it continues the fantastic year for owner Carol Bushnell who has enjoyed plenty of winners.
​Tiger loves the soft ground so hopefully he can get another  win before the season is done.

The rest of the runners last week didn't fare so well but they all had their excuses and should bounce back next time.

Looking ahead, we won't be on the road again until Wednesday when Smokey Malone heads to Southwell. He missed his race at Chelmsford last time as the Queen died earlier in the day and racing was cancelled but he has been kept ticking over and still seems in good form. He has won at the track before but, as always, needs things to fall right if he is to win.

Engrave ran no sort of race at Chelmsford last week but hopefully she can put that behind her when she returns to the track on Thursday. She is usually very consistent so hopefully she can bounce back to form.

An extra meeting has been put on at Yarmouth on Sunday and there's quite a few races for our horses so we should be well represented.
Amberdaay struggles to stay six furlongs but isn't quick enough for the minimum distance so placing her is quite tricky but she does have the ability to win when conditions are ideal. Yarmouth is very  flat so maybe she could get away with it there.
Heer's Sadie and Initiate ran against each other last week with not much between them and could re-oppose again but would need so cut in the ground to show their best. Both are up to winning a race like this when in the mood.
Finally, Macho Son could make his debut at Yarmouth too. We bought him at the breeze-up sales in the spring and he has needed time to mature as he is a big type. This will be a good experience for him as he is very  much a horse to thrive next season with some more development under his belt.