Flementime became our first bumper winner of the season at Plumpton on Monday when she made a successful debut under a positive ride from Alain Cawley.

We've always thought a lot of her as she has impressed in her work at home and, being just four years old and a mare, she received a number of weight allowances which she certainly made the most of. 

I had originally favoured running her at Towcester yesterday as the track would have suited her better but, having seen the weather forecast on Sunday morning, I changed my mind five minutes before declarations closed, fearing Towcester may be off (it was) and it paid off.

Flementime is a big imposing mare and when she arrived here as a three-year-old in the summer it was hard to believe that she was so young and she's definitely built to be a chaser.

A lot of the credit at home must go to Barry Denvir who looks after her and rides her out most days and has done a great job with her.

Alain will certainly remember Flementine's win too as it was a huge milestone for him – his 100th winner.

Any Currency ran well for a long way in the Argento Chase, won by Midnight Chase, at Cheltenham last Saturday but when the pace quickened at the top of the hill it was all too much for him and he just stayed on the same pace and was beaten further than we'd hoped.

We've still made an entry for him into the Grand National but with 81 other horses entered and most of them rated higher than him, he'll struggle to get a run.

There are a few confirmation dates where hopefully some will change their minds about running and drop out, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Hard To Swallow, our other runner at Cheltenham last Saturday, didn't jump as well as he can in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle, which was disappointing as he did himself no favours.

He still managed to run a blinder over an inadequate trip and was a strong-finishing fourth.

We may now give him a run in a low-grade novice hurdle to hopefully get his head in front and then head to the Festival for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle where three miles should be his ideal trip.

We've been lucky with the weather so far this winter, spoilt in fact as we've not had to worry about abandonments.

Until now that is.

This week we've lost most of the meetings and snow is forecast for the weekend, which obviously is hugely disruptive.

Let's hope the weather warms up soon and we can all get back to normal.

It was fantastic to see The Giant Bolster win the Murphy Group Chase at Cheltenham for David Bridgwater.

All the hard work they have done on improving his jumping seems to have paid off. 

Belinda and I met Bridgy at The Duke's – David Nicholson – scarily over 20 years ago and we've always got on really well.

It is always great to see other small local trainers like him doing well and Saturday winners at big meetings live on Channel 4 are what it's all about. 

As we all hoped, Big Buck's was again absolutely awesome as he powered to win his 15th race in succession.

He won the Cleeve Hurdle as if it was an ordinary race at a small track and managed to yet again make some very nice horses look ordinary.

The reception he received was fabulous and much deserved.

I hope he wins again at the Festival and, if he does, I think the roof will be lifted off the grandstand!