From just 11 runners this season, Suzy Smith's small string, based at Old Lewes Racecourse, has a consistent, if frustrating, record.

"We have had a couple of winners," said Smith, "But six of our runners have finished second, which is irritating. On the other hand, the horses are running so well and second is better than third or last."

Dad's Lad, having unseated his rider early on at Market Rasen last week, ran in the Sussex National at Plumpton on Sunday and was runner-up to the Paul Nicholls' trained French Executive.

Smith added: "At least he earned almost £7,000 and he beat horses trained by Martin Pipe, Venetia Williams and Jonjo O'Neill very easily."

Smith and her partner Sergio Gordon-Watson are training nine horses at present and are expecting a couple more to join the stables soon. At the moment the couple are managing by themselves, with no employees but some enthusiastic part-time outside help. When the stable strength is up to 11, it may be a different matter.

Colin Bolger, an underrated and under-used jockey, rides out most mornings and schools the horses as well. This takes off some of the pressure but it is mostly work and little play as it is at County Stables.

On the downside, the consistent performer Material World, twice a winner last season and placed in six of her subsequent eight races, is out of action for at least 12 months."

"She got a 'leg' when second to Its Wallace at Plumpton last month and only time will heal that," said Smith. "But she is only six so we will be patient with her and she will be back, make no mistake."

Dad's Lad and Jim Jam Joey are the two that Smith and Gordon-Watson are hoping will come up trumps in the near future. "Dad's Lad is not high enough in the handicap to get a run in the John Smiths Grand National at Aintree but he does stay four miles so we will aim him for the Scottish National in April," said the trainer.

"There is a three-mile five furlong race at Warwick in a couple of weeks and he will go for that on the way."

Jim Jam Joey, who has demonstrated his liking for Chepstow and loves soft ground, will go for the Coral Welsh National on the same course in a month's time.

"He won over three miles there in October and finished so well he could have gone round again," said Smith. "The Welsh National is several furlongs further so that will suit him very well."

A couple of newcomers to the yard are Risk Lady and Teen House and the former is entered for a mares-only National Hunt flat race at Folkestone on Monday.

Meanwhile, plans for Joly Bey, Nick Gifford's hope for the John Smiths Grand National at Aintree in April, have gone astray because the horse is sick.

Joly Bey was second favourite for tomorrow's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, having run very well over hurdles at Chepstow last month. "When the veterinary surgeon scoped him on Wednesday morning, he found a great deal of mucus in his lungs," said Gifford, who is based at Findon.

"I have had to ring David Dunsdon, his owner, who was hoping to ride him at Newbury.

"It is so disappointing but thank goodness we took the precaution of checking him out before the race. If he had run in that condition, it could have set him back for weeks."