A VERY quiet weekend for us, which isn’t particularly unusual at this time of the year, as we start to formulate plans for the big spring festivals. Everything is going well, touch wood, with Champ, Altior, Epatante, Buveur D’Air, Shishkin, Santini and the rest of the Cheltenham squad so fingers crossed it remains that way because as we all know three weeks is a very long time in racing.

I’m still hoping to run Dickie Diver in the National Hunt Chase but he has to have one more run over fences to qualify so we are rather in a race against time to get him there. I am studying the programme book to try and find something suitable next weekend which is still much too close to Cheltenham than ideal but we have to play the cards we are dealt with.

I was very impressed with Patroclus at Doncaster on Wednesday. He is developing into a very smart horse and one with a great amount of potential. The step back up in trip worked and he did well to recover from a mistake two out. He’s still a big baby but should make an excellent chaser next season so he won’t be taking up his entry in the Ballymore because it will be a year too soon.

Jonbon has been working very well and coming along nicely. He’s answered every question we have asked and I like what I see. I suspect he’ll be out very soon and the plan is to give him a run in a bumper and then put him away until next season because it would be pointless winning a Novice Hurdle at this stage of the year.

One runner at Kempton on Saturday and two on Sunday and my thoughts on their chances are below:

SATURDAY – KEMPTON PARK

1:50 G2 Pendil Novices’ Chase

Son Of Camas (Nico de Boinville)

He was much too free in a Jumpers Bumper last time and to be honest I can’t really explain why he disappointed like he did. I thought he would be a very high class chaser but unfortunately things haven’t really gone to plan; that said, it’s still early days in his chasing career and we have plenty of time. This is a good race but he’s in good form and if he isn’t able to win this he remains a Novice for next season.

SUNDAY – FONTWELL

3:10 G2 National Spirit Hurdle

Call Me Lord (Daryl Jacob)

He had his soft palate cauterised which is not actually a major procedure but it certainly won’t do him any harm and this looks a decent opportunity because he won’t be going to Cheltenham so he may as well come her and have a go at emulating William Henry who won for us last year. We did consider going to Kelso for the Morebattle but he’d end up with top weight in that so this seemed the more sensible option.

HEREFORD

4:20pm

Bothwell Bridge (Nico de Boinville)

I have been itching to step him up to three miles because I’m pretty sure that’s what he wants and this looks an excellent opportunity. Obviously his form behind Bravemansgame is rock solid and I’m extremely hopeful of a bold show.