An interesting week for a variety of reasons. Chasing Landy (pictured) resumed winning ways in a very tough A1 at Monmore Green last night. Still feeling his way back from a post-Gold Cup rest, Cooper won well in what could be one of the most competitive top grade events staged at the track in recent times. A proper 28.40 contest, in fact it didn’t take quite that to win a slightly messy race with Cooper swinging round the wide outside to take it up before the final bend. A quick shopping trip to Wolverhampton off that bend couldn’t stop him getting up to win by two lengths. Next step trials at Sheffield in preparation for the Steel City Cup.

As you will recall, Noduff Hacienda has been on the inactive list having failed his POR drugs test for a corticosteroid administered in Ireland prior to his sales trial. We have been chasing the GBGB for the best part of three weeks to get him reinstated now he is clean. Word finally came down on Friday that he was cleared to trial and Jooles wasted no time in getting his rostered that day to be rewarded with a flying all-the-way success in 28.79. Not bad considering Ridley has been locked up for three weeks! Sadly two more post-clean test trials will be required before he can race but we are finally moving in the right direction.

Noduff Aria has been busy again – chalking up his fifth run of the month. Fred’s consistency is remarkable. Given a solo trial he would probably record a 28.80 but his style of running makes this impossible in race conditions as he has to come right from the back. In A4 at present, he can win provided he gets clear to cut the first and second bends. Recently there has been a wall of dogs in his way but his time will come again soon.

Yes, we’re still waiting for Noduff Bellagio to come into season but Bonnie has a mind of her own and isn’t complying. She has another graded outing tomorrow meanwhile her litter sister, Bellmore Sally, contests the Empress Stakes final at Towcester today. We still think Bonnie has more talent than she’s showing at the moment particularly over a longer trip. That is likely to be the way we go come the end of October if Monmore make more six bend graded races available as has been promised.

Noduff Caesar continues his rehabilitation by moving gradually to a bigger paddock which allows him to stretch his legs to a greater extent when he wants to. Bertie’s racing career remains in the balance.

Noduff Dunes is now seven weeks out of season and will start trialling in another week’s time. We are excited to see Mia again as she managed just the one race outing prior to her season but shaped very promisingly.

Noduff Excalibur was dropped to a D2 sprint this week and finished a close second. With sprint win and run money having been reduced at the track ‘to de-incentivise so many sprinters’ Jock is going to be stepped up to four bends whilst remaining qualified for two benders if necessary. He will be entered for a 480 maiden open next Saturday and, if it doesn’t fill, he will be trialled towards the end of the week. He gets the trip, just and it will be interesting to see if he can break the 29 second barrier when his early pace will come in handy.

Noduff Flamingo runs again on Tuesday. Raspberry was well away last week but lost her way during the race, fading to fifth. There is no doubt better to come when this February 2020 whelp learns the ropes a little more. She continues to run rings around her kennel mates in the paddock.

Great news that Noduff Grand returns to action this week with a sprint trial on Tuesday. Obviously Wallace isn’t a sprinter but he’s had a month off after a nasty fall and needs a gradual reintroduction. We’ll be watching the trial closely as he’s scheduled to be up against the dog formerly known as Eileensdover who we tried to buy at the Monmore sales before the price became prohibitive. That one’s a very decent stayer in the making so it will be interesting to see how close our boy can stay given his lack of an outing.

Finally but by no means last, Supreme Odin has another crack at an A2 on Tuesday in his bid to get into top grade company for the first time. His last two outings have been unwinnable for him as he needs to lead clear at the first in this grade of company and that was impossible. This forthcoming contest has a little less early pace on show and Luigi has a squeak if he can clear the dog immediately to his inside and run to his best.