More silverware

A win for Astrodome on Wednesday, and hopefully evidence that he has a proper future in jumping. He’s a great looking horse and he jumps like a pro. He could be a decent hurdler and looks like he might have to scope to make up into a proper chaser. Fingers crossed that he continues to progress.

Hector Spectre came third in his maiden. I don’t have big hopes for him, but he’s going the right way and he should be good enough to win races.

Latin America has got in to the Champion Bumper next week and I think he will line up. It’s great to have a runner – he’s an unlikely winner but it’s the taking part that counts. That said winning is quite good too.

I have had a piece of bad news this week. My Mr Greeley filly (currently called Princess Aurora) that I bought in the US is not well. We think she has Equine Protozoal Myelitis (EPM). It’s a fairly serious condition that is aggravated by stress – it’s treatable and can be cured but there are no guarantees.

Elsewhere the horses are well. Max One Two Three may run on the first day of the flat proper, and she looks better than she ever has before. Winker is lighting up the gallops and has filled out a lot over the winter – it’s possible he could have a good year. Marine Boy is well – he might come out in April. There are several others that I’m very positive about. 2009 should be a lot better than 2008.

I’m out all day today – I’ll have just the one bet. Gary runs Numide in the Imperial Cup – he’s carrying a fair amount of weight but he is a horse with a lot of class and he has won with weight before. He should go well.