The theme of Winter Fun fits a great Cotswold gathering perfectly

At a very enjoyable event in the beautiful Cotswold surroundings of the village of Adlestrop, HINTLESHAM NATIONAL HUNT hosted its members and prospective members starting at 10 o’clock this morning.

The ever hospitable Richard Phillips and his team put on a spot-on spread of Bucks Fizz, coffee/tea and sausage baps to welcome two dozen people on what turned out to be a lovely bright morning.

Up on the gallops, winner on the flat and over hurdles CORTESIA, looking fantastic, gave a lead to the gawky heavyweight ROUTEMASTER who looks every inch a chaser in the making. CORTESIA should run within a couple of weeks while ROUTEMASTER lives and learns with an eye on a New Year debut.

Several of those attending signed up as HINTLESHAM NATIONAL HUNT members to join those already “in”, anticipating a first run this week from the third horse GRANDAGE trained by Oliver Sherwood in Lambourn.