Eric has done a great job with the kennel refurbishment and this week saw the completion of all the kennel range floors which are now looking very smart. Work now progresses to the front of house section where everything will have a good tidy up and the floor repainted and levelled.

It was a slightly quieter day on the gallop Wednesday with a lot of the dogs ready to return to trial action over the weekend. Magical Luka was given his first gallop and moved very well while young Signet Ace pup, Jazzy Ace really does look a nice addition for Andy Weller.

Union Piper backed up her A1 win from last week with another all the way success on Friday evening when winning by 2 1/2 lengths in 26.72. She’s returning to her very best form and will head to the British Bred Oaks next week. Unfortunately both Droopys Doll and Coppice Tenzin returned from the same race with injury niggles.

It was very much a mixed bag from our pre-race trial session with a couple of very promising performances dampened by an injuries to Sir Oreo and Coppice Ferry. Oreo had flown to the corner in his 450m trial but checked off with a torn shoulder and faces another spell on the sidelines. Miss Kubelik went onto beat the returning Untold Ariary in 26.89. Givemethemoney was given his first four bend spin this year and he really impressed when running on strongly to pick up Baroness Velvet in 26.58. He looks the type where anything we achieve with him over 450m will be a bonus as he looks like the further he goes the better he gets but he could be a really interesting runner to follow. Baroness Velvet is only a Feb 24 baby and this was her first ever time over four bends so to see her clock a 3.87 split and a 26.64 was far better than we could have hoped for and I can’t remember having a young pup qualify so well. Baran Tombstone posted 27.06 as he continued his comeback following a bout of the cough.

Highfield Andy is ready to return to racing following his 27.14 spin when beating Sister Lizzie (27.47) while Coppice Ferry pulled a muscle in the same trial. Witton Thomas is a really nice puppy and he showed the benefit of an extended rest after having the cough to clock 14.74 when beating the returning Speedy Joey (15.11) and Zinedine Zedog (15.43).

We were just a short head away from the perfect night at Oxford on Saturday evening as our brilliant Rioja Oisin was just picked up on the line in the Pall Mall final. Having led all the way it was a hard defeat to take but there can be no excuses when you’ve had every chance and he was beaten by the better dog on the night. I suppose when we were treating him through January and February this year that if we told that he would win the Silver Salver in a track record time and finish runner-up in the Pall Mall we’d have been delighted so we can’t be too disappointed. He’ll have short rest now and then return to two bends.

Union Rebel also ran well to finished 3rd in the final and that was a huge achievement by him considering his preparation and he’ll head to Monmore next for the Gold Cup.

Antigua Kestrel was just 5 spots outside the track record as he showed what a versatile dog he is when returning to 6 bends with a 5 1/2 lengths win in 39.22. He posted a 14.76 sectional and will head to Monmore for the Stayers Classic next.

The remarkable Start The Engine made it 9 wins from his 10 career starts as he once again led all the way in division 1 of the 450m standard to lead home a kennel 1-2-3 in 26.62. Signet Nayla and Dreamin Reggie both ran ever so well in defeat.

Coppice Trophy completed the nights work as he led home another kennel 1-2-3 in division 2 of the standard open as he flew the lids to beat Rioja Maxi and Dreamin Francis in 26.66.

Mustang Ojay showed he’s coming back to his old self with a pleasing 14.94 sprint trial when beating Signet Maisie (15.18) and Deelish Top Boy (15.45).

There were a couple leaving the kennel this weekend with Lightfoot Jamie heading North to join Tom Heilbron. He’s a really likely pup with a great character and we wish him well. He won 1 of his 4 races for the kennel when taking his A2 in 27.05 and should love the track and trip at Star Pelaw.

Signet Maisie joined Dalton Smith after being sold to new connections and we’ll really miss her. She’s an absolute sweetheart from our Droopys Sydney x Forest Natalee litter with such a loveable nature. She was very good on track too winning 10 races at Oxford for us including a personal best 26.70.