PUFFIN BILLY was facing a critical night in the Valley Equine Hospital in Lambourn on Friday evening after being operated on for colic. Tim Syder's talented five-year-old hurdler, a Grade 2 winner last season, had been declared to run at Haydock on Saturday but was withdrawn after coming down with colic only 20 minutes after final declarations. "Puffin Billy's had surgery," said trainer Oliver Sherwood. "He had a twist in his small intestine. The prognosis is good but if it had been in the middle of the night he would have been dead in the morning, so we caught it at the right time. "Obviously like any post-op, the next five or six hours are critical. They're stitching him up as I'm talking." Sherwood added: "We have had horses in this situation who have come back with no problems at all, but the small intestine is the most painful for the horse. "God willing he will be fine." Fingers crossed he pulls through!!
according to the Racing Post website he has apparently had a good night. hope he pulls through - he was probably my favourite jumps horse of last season good memories of him winning a good race at Ascot a year ago today
