It was only some minor lameness that Conservative had picked up, something we always felt would mend itself with an easy ten days or so, and that’s been the case.

Clive [Vet] gave him the once over and was very happy with him, so that meant we had the green light to get him back on the sand and cantering a couple of times this week. On both occasions he’s been absolutely sound afterwards, which is obviously exactly what we want to see.

We’ll keep him on the sand for the rest of this week, and then all being well we can step his work back up next week and get him back on the gallops. He’s not lost much fitness, so a week or two of full work should have him back where we want him, he’s generally a straightforward horse who takes his work well.

In two to three weeks we can start looking at racecourse options for him, this was a slightly frustrating delay but nothing more, and there will be plenty of potential races for him on good, safe summer jumping ground. 

Joe Tizzard, Coral Racing Club Trainer