Reserves of patience and fortitude are called for when a trainer has his best horse sidelined.

Male Ana Mou finished lame the next morning after winning the Gerry Feilden Hurdle at Newbury in November and will not run for a year.

Lewes trainer Jamie Poulton has not had a horse run into a place since. Poulton said: "My last three runners have finished lame and for one reason or another I have had very few runners."

But where horses are concerned there is always a glimmer of hope and Poulton is looking forward to running a newcomer to the yard, Smart Ridge, in the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster in March.

He said: "In this business you have to look forward and I was lucky to be sent three horses by Achilles International, an owner who used to train with Karl Burke at Newmarket.

"Karl has moved to Yorkshire and the London-based owner wanted his horses nearer home."

Jamie Osborne has three others at Lambourn for the same owner, but Poulton hopes he has got the pick of the bunch with Smart Ridge.

Poulton said: "He is a four-year-old and was placed in a listed race last year as well as winning a couple as a juvenile for Mick Channon. A straight mile at Doncaster will suit him and he seems reasonably handicapped."

Esher Cup winner Pipsalio has just returned to Lewes after his break with Lucy Fisher at Horsham and Poulton has high hopes of some useful prizes on the flat with this one.

Of his jumpers, Zurs, fourth to Valoramic at Newbury, is aimed at the Imperial Cup at Sandown early in March. Poulton said: "He loves Sandown and I was pleased with his run at Newbury, his first of the season."

Although Poulton has struggled to find a winner since Male Ana Mou scored, the horse has given him and his family something to look forward to.

The trainer had a good each-way bet at a long price on Male Ana Mou and, as a result, the Poultons are off to Melbourne, Victoria, for a fortnight next month.

Poulton said: "A good friend of mine is having his 40th birthday party and my wife Camilla and I are looking forward to being there. In addition I will catch the final of the three-way international cricket between Zimbabwe, West Indies and Australia and I hope to fit in some decent fishing."

Although his son, one-year-old Alexander, will hardly appreciate that he is on the other side of the world, big sister Eliza, nine, is excited she will have a chance to fulfil her ambition to swim with dolphins.