21.12.21. It’s been a relatively quiet three weeks. Here is the update:

SUPREME ODIN – had just the one outing having returned from a sprained metatarsal. It was an exceptionally tough A2, Luigi couldn’t lead and gradually dropped back through the field. A further niggling injury was detected afterwards and he is now having a couple of weeks’ rest.

NODUFF ARIA by contrast had three runs and his losing streak continues to grow. Fred shows a semblance of early pace in A5 and latterly A6 but has become rather one-paced. In his final effort he was presented with the win when the leading dogs fought but he appears to have been distracted because, instead of running on and taking the victory, he also dropped back. He runs another A6 tomorrow and will then have a 630 metres trial since, frustratingly, too long has passed since his last six bend graded race. We continue to wait for the grader to honour the promise made and put more such races on the card.

NODUFF BELLAGIO also had three outings, running on strongly to take second in her A4 in her fastest time to date of 28.86. Bonnie was also finally able to run over six bends for the first time in a maiden open. The jury can best be described as ‘out’ when reflecting on that race but on her second appearance over the trip she ran much better, finishing strongly to lose by just a couple of lengths in 38.51. What’s more she was in front by the pick up suggesting she will get further still. A 684 metres race will ensue at some point. Notably, two of her litter filled the top places on the podium in a similar open race at Nottingham. Could this be a marathon litter of the near future?

NODUFF CAESAR is now officially retired and has gained a place on the Hall Green RGA roster. Next step for Bertie will be a comfy sofa. I will post details of his retirement home when I know it.

NODUFF DUNES was the kennel star of recent times winning three of her last five outings. She couldn’t lead her D2 sprint as she had her D3 previously and got shuffled back. In A7 however she did lead by the first bend and just hung on to record her first four bend victory. Upped to A6 she flew out, led early and victory was never in doubt. Mia was still in front at the pick up, was three from four and eyeing a hattrick. Unfortunately she missed the break badly in her A5. She showed trmendous early and middle pace to contest at half way but she’s a different dog when in front and tends to throw in the towel if she’s not leading at the third bend. Given the pace she showed though, an A5 win won’t be far away with a normal exit from the traps.

NODUFF EXCALIBUR is not a friend of the grader. Jock seems to run less than most other dogs at the track and had just the one outing in a D2 sprint contest. Moderately away as he always seems to be at Monmore, he ran on stoutly to finish second and take it up at the bend after the line. Jock still seeks his overdue first win. As at today there remains no sign of the grader giving him another outing.

NODUFF FLAMINGO was to be sent for a 630 metres trial but Ras[berry then came into season and will be resting until the New Year.

NODUFF GRAND let us down badly in his A2 contest. Slowly away, he was running on well when he inexplicably decided to take a chunk out of the one dog on his inside and was disqualified. This was very disappointing in that he had never even hinted at such a problem before and had come in as a twelfth hour reserve to assist the racing office. The decision to disqualify him was therefore doubly disappointing. Wallace will now go off for a session of re-schooling.

NODUFF HACIENDA is another that doesn’t get as many runs as we would like. Faced otherwise with a weekend off, he was entered into a puppy open but Ridley suffered a rough ride before running on well. Dropped back to an A2 the following time, he was crowded at the bend but finished strongly to go down by just a head in a decent time. With a clear first bend he should easily be able to land a top grade contest.

CHASING LANDY contested a high-class open, was forced wide at the first and could never quite recover, going down narrowly in third place behind Bull Run Norris. Returned to A1 he then won comfortably and is now five from seven in top grade and effectively ungradable. Returned to open class he was moderately away but showed his strong trademark wide finish to get up and win yet again.

MUSTANG HIGHWAY is accompanying Noduff Grand for a spell of re-schooling. Wilson is undoubtedly fast but is also very green and ran a couple of odd races. First time during the period he got in plenty of trouble, dragged himself to the front then appeared to cramp. On his second outing the win was there for him to take but he didn’t go on and rather than have him be accused of aggressive interference he will be given some refresher training before he races again.