WE JUST had a couple of runners last week over jumps and Chemical Warfare didn’t quite see out the distance of 3m5f in the Norfolk National at Fakenham, so we will bring him back in trip next time.

Nini Star put her disappointing hurdles debut well behind her and ran respectably at Worcester and can build on that again going forwards.

Bashful Boy put up a very creditable performance in the Chester Cup on Friday, finishing a never nearer eighth, staying on strongly and doing all his best work at the end.

Unfortunately, for him and us, he did not come out of the stalls as fast of some of those around him and found himself towards the rear of the field early. He picked up a little bit of prize money and showed all his old enthusiasm so there will be plenty more fun to be had with him over the summer.

Our first runners of this week come at Worcester on Tuesday where we run Sirekoff, Chauffeur Driven and Pub Crawl. Sirekoff ran a good race to be second at Bangor last time and while the handicapper has nudged him back up two pounds for this run, if he reproduces that effort he should go close. Chauffeur Driven has bits of form that would give him a chance in this race but does need to pull his socks up and Pub Crawl ran well on his first run back from a break last time at Sedgefield. He is yet to win over hurdles but shows us enough at home to think he can win a race of this nature if he puts his best foot forwards!

We are quiet on the runner’s front this week after Tuesday Ocean Heights could run on the flat at either Newbury on Friday or Doncaster on Saturday.

At the weekend, we have recent Punchestown winner Thanksforthehelp entered in the staying handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter on Saturday and Old Bridge and Micronormous at Bangor also on Saturday.

Old Bridge has placed form in Ireland and could make his stable debut in the NH maiden hurdle over two miles. He has settled in well since arriving and goes nicely while Mirconormous has an entry in the three-mile handicap chase on the card.

Keep checking the Daily News on the website for all the latest news on the stable runners.

There is no real update on either of our jockeys currently on the sidelines with both Gearoid Harney and Martin ‘Fly’ McIntyre both still off work and being aided in their recovery by the injured jockeys Fund’s facilities at both Oaksey House in Lambourn and the Hub at Taunton.

I must just take this opportunity to wish Fergus Gillard a happy retirement from the saddle. He retired quietly at the end of the season having ridden 93 career winners, a lot of them for us when he was based here at Pond House. He rode 52 winners for me and was a naturally talented rider with a great racing brain and he was very laid back character!

I was delighted to give him a Cheltenham winner with American Sniper at the November meeting and keep our association going. He was a very good jockey but he is an even nicer young man and a great credit to his family.