The weather is now becoming more than tedious, with more and more meetings being cancelled due to water logging. Hard to keep the horses all dressed up with nowhere to go, so good to see Kempton putting on a jumpers bumper meeting last week. Running on the flat and on the all weather not a first choice for our runners but at least it got a racecourse gallop into them.
Be My Witness and Miss Morn both having there first ever runs, both ridden by our conditional Joseph Palmowski, and both running well for a long way, on terms coming out of the back straight, they both then found the speed up the straight a bit much, but lots to like and they will both come on for the run.
Apologies for a lack of news - I have been in Ireland for a few days as support crew (general dogsbody) for Harriet who was doing Tattersalls International Horse Trials. Odd to see the sale ring turned into an eventing venue, but great fun, and the jockey and horse both performed extremely well.
Back on the night ferry on Sunday, which is not to be recommended, as I drove back up the drive at 4.45 AM on Monday morning!!
The team in flying form with our first winner of the season, and a first win for the yard for our Conditional Jo Palmoski. Bally Lagan has been knocking on the door in all of his runs over fences and in fact has not been out of the frame, without that important number one slot! However that was put right at Worcester last Thursday. Plenty of the Park Lane team on hand to share in the heart failure as Joe and BL were left in front far earlier than they wished, after the leader, who they were tracking, fell. Well clear at the last, BL was getting a bit lonely in front and JUST held off a late run from the second horse (one more stride and it might have been another story, but who cares!!)
The less said about the weather the better really! Everywhere off for us last week, except the all- weather, but then miraculously the Saturday meetings managed to be on!
Graylyn Ruby was back to Kempton on Wednesday, unfortunately with a terrible draw on the wide outside. He ran a really good race to finish fifth, not beaten far, Luke Morris completely blamed the draw, and is confident he will go close again next time.
Saturday saw 'Girls on Tour' - Holly & Myself - off to Ascot with Restless Harry, Toby pony and Garrahalish (plus four dogs). I can honestly say it was probably the worst lorry trip I have ever had, and I must have driven around the world a few times by now! The wind on the M40 was hitting us square on the right hand side and I don't think I managed to get above 45 mph all the way there. Pretty scary at times and the steps into the living kept blowing out so running improvisation on the hard shoulder with string and dog leads required! We were very glad to land at Ascot!
After the excitement of the super double last week, it was back to reality on the Monday with five runners, split between Southwell and Kempton.
Paige, Toby and myself headed off to Southwell, with Robin and the Hollies off to Kempton. Southwell, as usual devoid of much atmosphere, although the facilities for owners and staff OK. Troyan was first up and ran a nice race to finish fifth not suited by the track but not beaten far. Valrene ran a hugely better race greatly appreciating the better ground, finished flying, and won't be far away next time.
Playing With Fire having her second run back, behaving really well in all the preliminaries (not always the case!!) jumped well, probably just needing the race again, but again, should not be far away next time.