A mixed couple of weeks – mostly spent praying for rain!
Unbelievable how dry it’s been, and the same in Ireland when we were there last week – dust seen where only wellies have ever been required!
At last some of the wet stuff arrived last night, although not sure if it will be enough to make a huge difference for a while.
The dry weather instigated a long trip to Carlisle for Dontminddboys to find some decent ground for his first race for a good while. Three and a half hours up there well worth it, as ‘Caspar’ ran a really nice race to be 4th. No mean effort after over 500 days off the track. The edge taken off the day with a homeward leg that took five and a half hours! Lorry lag for Robin & Megan but Caspar a star traveller with Tommy for company. He will now go chasing and there are shares available in this stunning grey, if you want to get involved please give a call or contact John Powell at EPDS Racing, you could make a lot worse decisions that getting involved with this horse!
No peace for the wicked, and off to Hereford the next day with Twycross Warrior who also ran very well for another 4th! The handicapper thought he ran extremely well – giving him a mark of 107.
The ground unsuitable for many of the team to run which is frustrating all around – this probably included Celestial Chimes who ran in the bumper at Warwick, and gave a somewhat underwhelming account of herself! She has been working nicely at home but the occasion rather got to her and combined with the quick ground it all happened rather fast for her and she never got into the race at all. Bounced out the next morning – very untired!!
Thomas Crapper also 4th at Ascot – disappointed with him but think a reason now found!
Last Saturday was Open Morning and amazingly it did not rain – it was however very windy and bloody cold! Great to see a nice turnout of faces familiar and also new, sustained as ever by Terry & Mandy Poulson on the coffee and cakes front, and also Julie Venvells’ delicious offerings! Thanks as ever to them for all their help!
A couple of days in Ireland last week, a day of backs on Tuesday and a catch up with friends, then an early pick up at the airport to retrieve Robin & Charlie and a standard tear around to view a bunch of horses and for Charlie to ride several of them. Narrowed it down to a couple and hoping to add to the team. Lack of light means a not too late finish, and time for a glass or two before the flight home. Lack of car keys meant things not quite so easy once back in Birmingham!!
Lots of visitors including the West Berks Racing Club who were here in force prior to an afternoon at Stratford races. A very knowledgeable and enthusiastic bunch – it was a pleasure to see them all.
Also having a proud parent moment this week as Harriet has been picked to represent GB in a team competition at Stockholm show at the end of the month! Her first time in an international team, so delighted for her. The logistics of getting four of them to Sweden less thrilling, but a plan now coming together. Flying in rather easier for myself than three days trucking through northern Europe to get there with the horses!
As long as the rain has made a difference runners at Towcester & Cheltenham this week.