A busy week one way and another and a frustrating one too! The emails have been down again, which has caused no end of headaches. Most of our communication to our partnership horses is by email and so when its not there it causes problems. After nothing working it then saw fit to dump 80,000 messages into my inbox! Thanks to Max Ross for finally managing to sort it all out.
So apologies for lack of communication and hopefully normal service will be resumed now!
Thomas Crapper made his fencing debut at Cheltenham last week – a very nervous day, a good crowd of Crappies there to support him at his favourite track – all looking a bit pensive beforehand. After making a bit of a mess of the first he got better and better with each obstacle and was brilliant at the last two when the chips were really down. Landing in front I thought we had got it at the last but the winner (who won the Scottish champion hurdle) found a bit more toe up the run in than TC and he just got touched off for second on the line. A really good run and over a slightly inadequate trip – he looks as if he will be as good a chaser as hurdler. Exciting.
Page won the BTO which was a generous £150 – thank you Cheltenham.
Sunday saw Kitegen and Under the Phone off to Kempton, Kitegen having his first run for a while and running a very decent race to be third. Not helped by the last fence being omitted and a very long gallop from the final fence to the line. He never runs a bad race and is as game as they come.
Under The Phone was fourth behind Be My Witness last time out, which was not quite how the script was meant to read! However he was not beaten far and over a trip that was too short. 100/1 did seem a tad rude as they went off to post, and UTP thought so too. He can get a bit buzzy so Charlie was keen to settle him, which he did and jumped so much better for less rushing. He made steady headway down the back and stayed on to finish a very pleasing fourth. About time The Tricksters had something to smile about, and there was a good turnout of them to welcome the pair back in. This will be a lovely horse and will jump a fence in time, but should be a fun hurdler on the way there.
Southwell yesterday with Dancing Daffodil who had lost her way last season, but summered really well, and all credit to the team – she looked an absolute picture beforehand. Jumping and travelling very happily she was a pleasure to watch – top weight just catching up with her as they turned in, and our neighbours’ horse looking booked for an easy win, when he fell two out leaving Daffodil in the lead – interference from the faller cost us dearly I think as she just had to get galloping again and then got caught in literally the last stride of eh race. Frustrating, but thrilled to see he back on form. Lovely to see John and Margaret Cooper there, who love Daffodil and were delighted to see her back in the winner’s enclosure.
Be My Witness our other runner – sadly Mrs Merry not able to come and another the bookies were being pretty rude about despite her win last time. Making virtually all she was headed turning in but stayed on well to finish sixth. Pleased with her and another that will want a bit further. Toby again giving her a lovely ride.
Everyone home safely and in one piece which is always a huge relief!
No runners this week end, but looking forward to welcoming EPDS racing here tomorrow for a visit.