Murky Monday.

What do you do on a very cold, fog shrouded Monday morning? Well you can liven up on the horse walker or have a jolly good roll, buck and kick!

Dinner guest, well breakfast actually!

There was a pleasant surprise for the breakfasters this morning when Karen brought old friend Claude Greenwood to the door to say hello.  She had brought him back from Wolverhampton yesterday evening, where he had been running for another trainer, on the way to returning him to his owner.

In fact Claude has now been retired and given to Frankie (who won on him in her only ride under rules) and her mum to have as a fun horse.

Double thirds.

Itoldyou, with Tom Cannon, going out to race. Itoldyou ran a good race at Plumpton this afternoon.  He jumped really well and looked pleased with himself on finishing.  Tom Cannon jumped him off prominently in the competitive and valuable handicap chase, for which he was fifth in the betting of the seven runners.  One horse quickly set up a five to ten length lead and Itoldyou led the other six runners in pursuit.  They were still chasing down the back straight on the final circuit and Itoldyou closed on the leader going into the station bend.  Into the home straight he couldn't quicken but continued on gamely to hold onto third place about six lengths from the winner to earn a decent third prize for his connections. Discussing the result. Later on the card Clonusker competed in a handicap hurdle.  It started well with Karen winning £50 with him for the "Best Turned Out".  In the race, again ridden by Tom Cannon, he ran prominently in the ever increasing gloom but was unable to dominate as he likes as he would have had to take on another front runner.  He bided his time in second place and looked a real threat entering the home straight. Although he battled on he could find no turn of foot and, like Itoldyou, he had to settle for third place.  He would probably have been better suited by even more testing conditions. Clonusker at Plumpton today.

First step on the way.

Moneystown and Pippa The Dancer both had their racecourse introduction at Fontwell yesterday, in the same race.  Both will improve for the experience, but they showed enough in the testing ground to be optimistic.

Moneystown

Pippa clean before.

Pippa mud spattered after.

Saturday celebration.

This morning there was a breakfast gathering to celebrate Kayflin's win.  There was smoked salmon, champagne and a special cake.

Everyone admired the trophy and wanted to be photographed with Kayflin, who took it all in her stride.

New Year. Great Start.

Linda started 2017 with a winner!  Kayflin won the 2 and a half mile handicap hurdle on today's Plumpton card.  She looked really well in herself before the race.

Kayflin before the race.

Ridden by Tom Garner, she was covered up in the pack for the first circuit and a half.  This seemed to relax her and she didn't know she was in a race.  As a few horses pulled away from the pack down the back straight on the final circuit she went with them, still travelling easily.  Turning into the home straight she cruised alongside the leader before taking the lead.  Tom now had to get to work to let her know what was required, as the favourite in second place wasn't giving in easily.  She had been in this situation in the past and faded,but the hood seemed to make a difference and after a good jump at the final flight she stayed on to win by a length and a quarter.

Kayflin leads over the last.

James and a pleased looking Kayflin.

The stable celebrate the success.