Winds of change

It is often debated in the press whether it should be declared in the racecard when a horse has had a wind operation as it can sometimes bring about massive improvements in form with the public only finding out about it afterwards.
Whilst the few horses I've had wind operations done on haven't done much good, it is probably the punter's choice to find out things such as this prior to the race through blogs like mine. Although it must be said that some trainers wouldn't want the public to know beforehand but then again not every yard is as open and honest as mine!
I bring this up as Candesta will be running tomorrow at Windsor for the first time since having a wind operation done after his last run. Despite winning multiple times, jockeys have always felt his breathing let him down and he could be better if it was improved. After a good season last year, the owner had a bit of money to spend on the operation so he went down to Rossdales vets in the village to have some excess flesh lasered off his larynx (under a general anesthetic) which was affecting his breathing. 
The only way of really telling if it has worked is by running him and he will probably need this first run after a break but hopefully we can see him reach his full potential this year. He heads to Windsor tomorrow night.

Candesta (Caitlin)

One horse who has never had trouble with his breathing is good old Silver Alliance. His problems this year have all been in his head as, at the age of nine, he is showing signs of losing his enthusiasm for the game. We debated retirement after last time but there is an extremely low grade race at Brighton for him on Tuesday which was worth a shot. We know he likes the track having won there before and the blinkers will go back on him to try and coax him to life again. He is still galloping well at home so his ability hasn't disappeared.

Best Example (Tess) & Silver Alliance (Sarah)

Go On Gal's enthuisiams can never be questioned as she is one of the most honest horses in training, as shown by her race record of 19 runs and ten placings. Unfortunately seven of those have been in second place as she has just never had luck on the day to win. I've got her in a 'hands and heels' race at Yarmouth on Thursday and she usually goes well in these type of races so hopefully she can put in another honest run.
Also there will be Mungo Madness. He has been punished by the handicapper ever since finishing fourth in a maiden at the course last year. He drops in to selling class for the first time and I think he should be seen in a better light. He is training as good as ever before so fingers crossed he can get some form to his name.

Go On Gal (Gemma) & Appease (Chloe)

Mungo Madness (Sam) & Casey Banter (Caitlin)

Best Example has been given an entry at Doncaster on Thursday but, as with most northern races, there are loads of entries so we will have to have a look at the opposition before deciding whether to run or not. He was disappointing last time but is handicapped to win a race now.

The N.E.T. Racing Club have two lovely two-year olds in their squad this season and Gas Monkey made a very pleasing debut at Chester last week when showing up before getting tired in the closing stages. Their other baby, Casey Banter, will hopefully be hitting the course too on Saturday when she is entered for Leicester. She has been doing all her work well without being asked a serious question so I expect the run to bring out plenty of improvement.

Last month we ran a quiz in the newsletter to win a pair of tickets to Newmarket's Horseracing Museum. Thank you for the dozen or so entries and from the three correct ones, JEAN ALLEN has been selected as the winner. Well done Jean.

FOUR TO FOLLOW UPDATE

​Ken Campbell 53
Ros Taylor 53
George Evans 52
John Chalklin 52
Trevor Mather 43
Kevin Case 43
Julia Feilden 41
Eileen Turner 40
J Rogers 40
Annette Hall 39
John Tucker 39