| Champion jumper
Marlborough earned full marks from a delighted Jim Houlahan and Craig Durden following a
successful schooling session over seven obstacles at the trainer’s Rosebud property
last Friday morning. "He schooled really well
and pulled up beautifully", Houlahan reported, an assessment that was echoed by his
rider, who described the morning's outing with one emphatic and encouraging word,
"faultless".
The duo will put Marlborough through his paces again this
morning, but today’s session will be carried out under the watchful eye of equine
veterinarian extraordinaire, Alistair McLean who has played a vital role in not only the
comeback of this great horse, but many, many others before him. McLean will scrutinise
Marlborough’s leaping limbs prior to and following the schooling and a clean bill of
health will see the gelding’s programme stepped up for his imminent return to the
track.
"There’s a bit of work to do with him yet, but
we’ll just see how it goes after tomorrow" Houlahan remarked.
At this stage of proceedings, there is no fixed date on the
calendar for his much anticipated reappearance, but things may need to swing into full
gear should connections receive the nomination to wing their way to Japan for the Nakayama
Grand Jump in April.
That verdict, which is now a matter of 9 days away, would
see Marlborough having to depart our shores around mid- March, enabling him to meet the
required quarantine standards in time for a vital lead up race there.
So for the latest news on Marlborough and all the colour
and excitement of cross country racing..........................
GO JUMP !!!!!!!!!!
Don Cooper |
