Here’s hoping we’ll be rolling again at Newbury next Wednesday

January 10

It’s been a frustrating week for racing with winter finally rearing its ugly head, and even before the hard frost we had on Thursday night, all of of us at Barbury had resigned ourselves to the fact that the horses we had entered for Warwick and Kempton on Saturday would be staying in their boxes.

Not that Alan will lose any sleep over that matter. Together with his wife Rachel, Alan flew off this morning to sunnier climes for his well-earned break – he has always hated the cold weather – but fear not he will stay in touch and no sooner had Newbury abandoned yesterday’s meeting than he entered Geturguccion again at our local course for next Wednesday’s fixture.

Alan said:”We had planned to run Geturguccion in the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle this week, but, hopefully, the weathermen have got it right and warmer temperatures will enable the mare to take up this entry.

“She has been second in both her races this season and last time out at Plumpton she bumped into a good novice of Jamie Snowden’s, who gave the form a boost when subsequently winning again at Chepstow on Welsh Grand National day.

“Geturguccion has been crying out for this step up in trip, and Philip Armson, who knows the mare well and rides her every morning at home, will be able to claim a valuable 3lb.”

Admiralty House, who also missed Newbury, could also possibly go there next week. He settled much better at Haydock last time and showed improved form as a result. Much of the credit must goes to Philip as well, so he would keep the ride.”

Our third entry at Newbury is Mystical Moon in the opener. He won well at Stratford and then performed creditably under his penalty to finish third at Exeter, so should Alan give him the green light to run, he is hopeful that he won’t be far away.

Alan revealed that Newbury is also the next port of call for last season’s Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Favour And Fortune. He said: “The horse has come out of his Ascot comeback well so the plan is to have a crack at the £155,000 Newbury Handicap Hurdle (formerly the Betfair) next month.

“The leaders went off very quick at Ascot so Tom Cannon took his time on Favour And Fortune, who had a blow at the second last and stayed on to finish an encouraging sixth. The loose ground would not have suited him, so fingers crossed it might be a bit better  on February 8.”

Before then, however, our stable-star Edwardstone could be back in action in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot next Saturday. Alan said:”He had his first run in a handicap over fences in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over Christmas and did really well to finish second to Soul Icon, who he was giving 20lb.

“Edwardstone has been working well at home since and I’m happy to go back up in grade at Ascot, He thrived with racing as a novice, so, while it will be another tough assignment if Jonbon and possibly also Energumene turn up, there is plenty of prize money on offer, so why not give it a go if he pleases us early next week?”