Susan Corbett's Newsletter

The staff had their own Christmas party this year – funny how Josh and Jamie get to go to both? I would like to thank all of you who have given gifts to the staff this year as they really appreciate the thought – especially on windy, wet days!

Atomic Angel showed she still has that will to win when she was just pipped into 3rd in an Amateur race ridden by Natasha Cookson who rides out for us. It was a strange race with the Kirby horse going forward by a huge measure and did win but only just.

Should the rest have gone with him? The stewards asked the same question and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th all received a caution – harsh I thought as no one could call if Angel would have lasted home if she had gone at his speed.

Nathan who is proving a real asset to the yard, now having 8 winners for us so far, jumped up and down until we took Velasco for a second Opinion on his wind – we went to the market leader in Wind Ops Ben Brain in Cheltenham. Only to find that Velasco was a past customer – basically the overgound scope did not show the problem at home as he is not under the same pressure as in a race – lesson learnt. So He will be a happier horse in his next race. Jamie went off at 4am and returned at 9.30 pm – a long day for horses and people.

Champ Royal was back over hurdles at Haydock and much happier although a poor 5th was a little disappointing. Its either he is at the height of his capabilities and needs the handicapper to drop him a few pounds as he went up 25lbs with us last year, or he needs more energy to finish off his races. Work in progress and heading for a lower grade race on the 9th January.

No runners sadly over the festive season but many from the 29th! Wee Alki comes out of his 'loan' period and heads for the sales at the end of January – hopefully, by then showing what he is capable of in a handicap in his own grade. I would hope we could get a small partnership in place to buy him back onto the yard ( currently he belongs to Josh and his friend in Ireland David ) as he is a tough little cookie. His 'loaners' Race4fun and The Nelson Partnership have their own horses back in training.

Dates

29th Kelso – Wee Alki in his final novice for his handicap mark

1st Southwell – Sunset Hill

1st Catterick Atomic Angel – P

2nd Ayr Pinot Rouge

3rd Musselburgh Beyond the Verge

4th Newcastle Blame Rose and Les Legacy

9th Catterick maybe Atomic Angel / Blame Rose and Champ Royal

11th Rock Steady Eddie

Susan: email:girsonfield@outlook.com Tel: 7713651215