Fwd: Bruce is back

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Begin forwarded message:

From: "Roger@farmerschoice.co.uk" <roger@farmerschoice.co.uk>
Date: 28 February 2013 11:04:43 GMT
To: Rogers World <rogerstanley55.madison@blogger.com>
Subject: Bruce is back

In truth - we didn't quite know what to expect yesterday . Two years since last his last win and a few setbacks to boot - so how good was it that Bruce got back to winning ways . He looked terrific in the paddock - well done to Rosie who looks after him - and always travelled like the winner . He idled a bit once in front but a fluent jump at the last sealed it . If 'the team' can get him to jump as well over fences as he does over hurdles then he will be very exciting .
He would also prefer better ground and a longer trip .

There was plenty of discussion yesterday in Wayne Clifford's box regarding Cheltenham - the weights for all the handicaps having just been released . Don't think there were too many surprises - Geoffrey would have to carry top weight in Pipeys
race - 11-7 in The Pertemps - 10-13 in The Coral . Then it all depends if the weights rise . DP is certainly giving nothing away - at the moment - but I do think it does depend on where other horses go and the opposition . I favour The Albert Bartlett - but what do I know !

As I said earlier in the week - George will have his 'all over - body scan' early next week and if all IS well have a race course gallop later that week - but can't help thinking time is running short - for Cheltenham anyway . CU
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Bruce is back

In truth - we didn't quite know what to expect yesterday . Two years since last his last win and a few setbacks to boot - so how good was it that Bruce got back to winning ways . He looked terrific in the paddock - well done to Rosie who looks after him - and always travelled like the winner . He idled a bit once in front but a fluent jump at the last sealed it . If 'the team' can get him to jump as well over fences as he does over hurdles then he will be very exciting .
He would also prefer better ground and a longer trip .

....and in the paddock

Bruce getting saddled up ...

....by DP - not sure what he's so pleased about - Raymond - partner of the long suffering Gail in DP's office - and the lovely Rose .

Bruce ....

....has runout at Wincanton tomorrow over hurdles . He came back from Mussleburgh on New Years Day with a nasty injury and tomorrow will be all about getting his confidence up . A nice round of jumping is the priority - DP feels he's best on better ground so a spring campaign is his target .

The weights come out this Thursday for the big handicap races at The Festival . Geoffrey is in three of them - plus two GR1's - so it'll be interesting what the Pipes ( say that cos Martin still takes a keen interest ) views are . I'm all for the Albert Bartlett - the gr 1 over 3m on Gold Cup day - but there is a Mullins 'hot shot' in that one . I recon they'll plumb for a handicap .

George goes for a scan - I think it's towards the end of the week - and if his ulcers have responded to the course of antibiotics then we plan for him to have a racecourse gallop - Wincanton next Thursday looks ideal . Can't help thinking we should miss Cheltenham and - if anything - aim to get him to Aintree .
To get early prices make sure you're reading 'la blog'!
CU
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Gevrey Chambertin Press Day 2013 on Vimeo

http://vimeo.com/m/60238562


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Racing Post: Dynaste more straightforward than Grands Crus Pipe

DAVID PIPE on Tuesday spoke of the similarities between Dynaste and his stablemate Grands Crus but claimed that this year's RSA Chase favourite is a more straightforward character than last year's beaten market leader.

Read the full story at: http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/dynaste-more-straightforward-than-grands-crus-pipe/1206901/

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Nice photo

of George in yesterday's Racing Post taken at DP's press day . If only horses could talk !

Only Witness

was a bit disappointing on Friday - he looked a bit burley in the paddock and that was reflected in his price drifting out to 20s before the off ! Can never make up my mind if trainers are stupid - or they just think us owners are stupid - but that horse was never going to even get a place ! Anyway - he's best on a flat track .
Bruce doesn't go tomorrow at Wetherby - DP says he's now going to Wincanton at the end of the month - which is perfect as I'm away in Portugal this week .
Not a lot else to say - really . George is doing a little cantering - nothing too serious . I can't see him making the festival but Aintree is still very much on the agenda and Geoff is bouncing around the place . He's entered for 4 races at Cheltenham - but can't see him winning more than one ! CU
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Geoff a non-runner

Only runs at Sandown tomorrow (Friday) . BP says he's in grand order (always says that and I'm sure he is) and will run a BIG ! race (always says that and I'm sure he will) . There's a V Williams hot-pot in the race so not convinced we can win but at about 10-1 and 8 runners Only has solid ew claims . (now I'm getting to talk like a trainer).
Unfortunately Geoff didn't scope 100 % so will miss his race at Haydock and will now go straight to the festival - which race God knows ! He's entered for four .
Bruce is entered for Wetherby on Tues . Anyone up for that?
Don't all call at once ! CU
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DP blog

Sent from my iPhoneI can give you a further update on Grands Crus (pictured right) who is back cantering now following his disappointing effort in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham. He was given an easy time of things after his race while we tried to get to the bottom of his lacklustre effort and he is now being treated for gastric ulcers. He is back on the gallops and looks well in himself so I will need to speak with his owners and decide the plan of action. Tomorrow (Tuesday) there is a forfeit stage for the Gold Cup, Ryanair Chase and World Hurdle and I can inform you that he will be scratched from the Gold Cup but will be left in both the Ryanair Chase and World Hurdle.

And it keeps raining

Really good day at Newbury yesterday - lots of Cheltenham clues and pointers - but blimey - was wet n cold ! Had a pint and a chat with DP - and his ol'man - and we feel - hoping - that we might be getting to the root cause of George's poor form .
Last week George was sent to have an in-depth and complete scan at an equestrian vets in Bristol . The poor old bugger . He's been prodded - poked - examined - and now scanned - but it did reveal that he was suffering from severe ulcers .
It does add up . I never thought his poor performance in the Paddy Power was anything to do with his breathing - he was beaten just to early for that . And the same happened in the Argento . I know it was a very credible performance in the KG but to me he was never traveling like he can - and that was on a easier flat track . He's always been a finicky eater and sometimes his condition is not always 100% - can loose weight and looks sort've boney .
Never really going to find out until he next run - but it is an explanation . He's on antibiotics for a month and we'll take it from there . Fingers crossed .
Geoff is still on course for Haydock on Saturday - as is Only to Sandown Friday . He will also have an entry at Ascot - also on Saturday - just in case the weather intervenes .
Oh ... and it's raining ! CU
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This n that

Great picture of Madison - isn't it . He looks fantastic but I think I prefer his rider !
We bought Madi out of a claiming race in France . I'd been to Taunton races that day ( must've had a runner there but can't remember the horse - couldn't have won anyway - would've remembered ) and Martin persuaded me to go back to Pond House for a cup of tea . This was in the depth of December and I just wanted to head home - but Martin is a very persuasive character . So sitting on the sofa back at Pond House - tea and cake in hand - we watched this race from Auteuil . The winner was very impressive and Martin claimed him - through his French agent Hubert Barre ? for 35k . I said to Martin that I wanted first option on him . He turned round to me and said 'stupid boy (often said that) 'YOU can't afford him ! Anyway - he's going to one of my favourite owners' - a one Stuart Mercer - 'but I also like the second so shall we buy him ?'. So we bought Madison du Berlais for 20k euros . He went on to win over 400k sterling . The winner of that race never won again ! I do like reminding Stuart of the story whenever I see him .
It's good to report that Only is over his little setback and is due to run either at Sandown Friday week or the next day at Ascot . Geoff is scheduled to run at Haydock that same Saturday - so it could be an exciting weekend .
George is fine but blood count still low - so no rush there . Still got hopes of Aintree for him but it might be that we have to 'pull stumps' with him for this season .
Bruce is also well after HIS little injury . Waiting for better ground for him . CU
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My ol' mate

Talking of Aintree, I have some news of former Totesport Bowl (and Hennessy Gold Cup) winner Madison du Berlais (pictured left) who is now competing in dressage events.  As you can see from the photograph below, Madison, now twelve is looking an absolute picture and enjoying a fulfilling retirement.

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Wincanton

I've sort've been in semi-hiding since the weekend but got myself up & about at Wincanton yesterday . And what a great day it was ! Just goes to show - can't hang around feeling sorry for oneself ! Anyway - I knew DP would be there - so I could collar him !
Mind you - if I said it once I must've repeated it a hundred times . But everyone showed so much concern about George that it was really quite touching . Anyway - more on him later .
On to the racing . I haven't spoken to BP ( Brendan Powell ) since before Xmas so it was good to catchup with him . He had Milans Well going in the novice chase - been off a year with 'a leg' - just out for 'a spin' - 'no chance'! Two fell at the first - one at the second and two at the last ! Milans Well won at 14-1. I know the owner and he does enjoy a 'punt' - so not too sure if he was laughing or crying in the winners enclosure !
Then DP won with Master Overseer at 10-1 - which he did fancy - albeit ew . One that DP did say WOULD win was in the 'bumper' at Towcester - a thing called Red Sherlock - and he dually obliged . He's one to follow !
Back to George . He's been a bit quiet at home ( even for George ) but he's been out every day just doing light road work - lane walking - giving him something to do and take his mind off things . Barry 'the blood' has been down to test him - (can't find any!) and says it's not right . On a count of one to ten - ten being good - George's was two . Make of it what you will but that's what they've found .
My Very Great Aunty Sally - who use to be a veterinary nurse ( though only specialising in chickens ) came up with the theory that ' well - the bloody horse is not right Rog '! Well - thanks for that one Sal . But she did go on to say that 'was his iron and haemoglobin levels ( for his energy ) be as they should ?'. Anyway - thanks Sal .
Off to Sandown tomorrow - weather permitting . CU
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