We say a fond farewell to Off The Jury at Cheltenham’s dispersal sale.

Alan was at David Maxwell’s Dispersal Sale at Cheltenham on Friday, bidding a fond farewell to the enigmatic but hugely talented Off The Jury, who changed hands for £250,000 and was transferred to Mickey Bowen’s West Wales stable.

Successful in a Mallow point-to-point first time out 18 months ago. Off The Jury beat Ski Lodge that day, and, ironically, both the first two joined our Barbury team shortly afterwards.

Ski Lodge is one of our big hopes for this winter, while Alan also did really well with Off The Jury, who can be frustrating as whatever owner-rider David Maxwell did in the saddle the gelding would always hang badly most of the way round in his races.

Nevertheless, apart from running out at the second last at Wetherby last February, Off The Jury finished in the frame in his seven other races while trained at Barbury, and, following wind surgery, he produced a career-best performance in the EBF Final at Sandown in March, being caught in the very last stride.

Meanwhile, we enjoyed a Sunday celebration yesterday, courtesy of Ernest Gray winning the three-mile conditional jockeys handicap hurdle at Aintree under a fine ride from Philip Armson.

Ernest Gray, in the van throughout, assumed command after the second last, but there were six horses queuing up behind him at the final flight, and he dug in bravely on the run-in for a well-deserved success for owner Andy Peake.

Here’s hoping we will be cheering home another winner today, with Betterforeveryone looking to have a solid chance in the three-mile handicap chase, He won here over hurdles at this same meeting three years ago and was also a creditable third over fences last February, so we know that this dour stayer likes the track.

We then briefly revert to the Flat, with Blazeonfive trying to follow up her recent Ascot victory when she heads off to Nottingham on Wednesday. That Ascot form looks useful with the runner-up, Double Meaning, having since finished a close up fourth in the Class 2 Old Rowley Cup at Newmarket, and off a mark only 4lb higher Blazeonfive could well confirm the placings with Double Meaning, albeit on slightly worse terms.

Looking further ahead, Heroics would be interesting if Alan confirms his entry for Bath on Thursday. Heroics was an eye-catching fourth on his debut over the course three weeks ago, and he looks a youngster with plenty of scope and one who will have learned plenty from that first experience.

However, now that we have had a bit of rain Alan is bringing his jumpers forward, and we have entries at Stratford, Wetherby and Uttoxeter in the second half of this week, so watch this space.