Southfield Poppy gave us another great start to the racing week on Tuesday evening as she completed a six-timer when leading all the way in ladies race at Swindon. She was challenged on the run-in but always finds a bit more under pressure and won by a short head in 28.03. Union Piper can’t quite get to grips with Swindon at the moment and will head back to Oxford next time.

Resonate was another who didn’t quite handle Swindon on her first look as she finished 3rd in the maiden stayers. She would have needed the run a little though. Untold Ariary completed her qualifying trials with a 15.65 sprint.

We had another busy day on the gallop Wednesday with 25 dogs going through their paces. Paul once again had the surface in great order and the dogs were loving their work.

There was the long journey North to Sunderland Friday evening for the heats of the Puppy Cup and Jacktavern Chief ran very well to finish 2nd and safely make it through to the semi-finals. He was only beaten a length and looks to still be getting to grips with the track. We’ve got a nice enough draw in the semi-final and he should improve further for the race under his belt and we’re hopeful of making the final.

Lightfoot Jamie got his first career win for his owner David Bass when leading all the way at Oxford on Friday evening. He flew the lids and showed a really nice turn of early pace to come home just over 3 lengths to the good in a personal best 27.05. Dreamin Francis is slowly coming back to form following another break and she ran well in defeat when finishing 2nd in her A1. She was only beaten a length and posted 26.96. Witton Mac also ran well in defeat to finish 3rd in the same race. He missed the break and moved over from trap 5 but has a great attitude to racing and showed lots of pace. There’s a big run to come at some point if he brushes up on his trapping.

It was another busy Saturday with 3 meetings to cover. Signet Nayla was the star of the show at Oxford as she won the standard open in fine style in a personal best 26.44. This was the 2nd fastest time of the year and a run we always felt was possible when a race went her way from the start. It proved to be a good weekend for the Signet Denver offspring as alongside Nayla’s run there was a very promising 26.76 from Rachel Hill’s Berties Decision in the A1.

Coppice Ella ran with real credit to finish 2nd in the ladies competition on derby final night at Towcester. While she had no answer to a great run by the winner, this was only her 3rd start of the year and she looks to have returned as good as ever following a gracilis injury. A defence of the British Bred Oaks will be her main target. It looked to be a great night at Towcester and the work of Mike Davis and team seems to be paying dividends with Towcester looking fantastic once again.

Although the big race eluded the brilliant Bockos Diamond, it was lovely to see three winners out of Dorotas Wildcat on the night as Romeo Tomcat took the Derby Plate, Vhagar taking the stayers final and March On Freddie winning a supporting open.

Donna headed back to Central Park for the rearranged heats of the Silver Salver and thankfully both our boys managed to qualify for the semi-finals. We were a little worried about having a 3 week gap with them but we were able to keep them busy at home and they should improve nicely for the run.

Coppice Ronnie overcame a slow start and crowding to finish strongly and take 3rd spot while the brilliant Rioja Oisin won his heat by just over 5 lengths in 16.11. This was only his 2nd race of the year and we’re hopeful he can keep coming forward. He took the race ever so well which is the main thing. It’s certainly great to have him back in the team.

Liz and Wayne Mazey were kind enough to take our runners to Towcester on Sunday afternoon to complete what had been a busy week. Kranky Drake produced a stunning performance when taking his maiden 500m open by just over 7 lengths in 28.79. He definitely lacks a yard of early pace but is a very clever dog and his pace from the 2nd bend looks to be top-class. He’ll face much stiffer tasks in the coming weeks but this was only his 2nd ever race and looks to have a very bright future. Drake will have the Juvenile Classic at Towcester and the Nottingham puppy classic as his main puppy targets.

His win gave the kennel our 100th open race victory of 2025 which has been a fabulous effort from all involved. Resonate appreciated the step up in distance to the 712m trip and ran well on her first look at the track to finish 3rd in her maiden. Hopefully we can keep her to Towcester for a few runs now as she certainly looks the type to benefit from a few looks at a track.