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.
Great to start another entry here with a winner. The New Year has brought so much rain that runners have been a bit thin on the ground, and coupled with a few coughs and colds, has seen only a few runners in the first couple of weeks of the year.
A couple of pulled ups from Graylyn Amber (hated the very soft ground) and Garrahalish (dirty scope) did nor cheer us up much, but Cornish Ice running his usual solid race at Exeter on Tuesday to finish fourth. If ever a horse deserved to win it's him (along with Tom O'Tara) he has not been out of the first four this season, but just can't get his head in front. Richard Whitehead absent for the first time ever due to ill health.
No pause for breath from one season to the next these days, and after the excitement of Sandown it was a change of code two days later and Storming Harry making his debut at Windsor. A son of Miss Pebbles who we trained back in the day, and a very exciting day for Nigel & Jenny Thick who bred SH. A lovely introduction for him, he behaved perfectly and ran a nice race to be fourth.
Another making a debut - this time over hurdles was Spurned Girl, another homebred - this time by the Hitchman family. SG had had some runs on the flat, and I think it fair to say that she had not covered herself in glory! She came with a few 'issues' and all credit to Malcolm who has quietly put up with her tantrums, and persuaded her that civilised behaviour is best! SG did not put a foot out of place at the track, and ran a decent race, jumping really well and seeming to enjoy the experience. She will come on for the run.
Well we have come to the end of another season, and what away to finish! The first night racing of the season for us on Friday night at Chepstow, Entertain Me up 15 lbs for her win at the previous meeting, and running what was probably a career best, to finish second only beaten a neck. A brave run from her, sadly Mrs Merry not there to see her but cheering from afar! Dancing Daffodil again disappointing - blood vessel issues for her and a holiday beckoning - she will be be back!
Home at eleven o'clock and then on the road again by ten on Saturday, Holly and I off to Sandown with the boys - Restless Harry and Kitegen for the final day of jumping this season. The Bet365 Gold Cup for Harry - a top quality race and one that was run at breakneck speed - Harry a bit outpaced on the first circuit and made a couple of small errors, which did not help our blood pressure, but Charlie doing sterling work and had him back where he wanted him as they went out for the second circuit. As they came to the pond fence Harry started to make ground and two out he was right there. The rest of the race was a bit of a blur, only clearer after watching the replay a few times, Harry fought SO hard and ran the race of his life to be fourth only beaten three and half lengths. None of us had any voice left afterwards, and it is difficult to put into words how proud we are of him.
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.
Where to start this weeks ramblings?? Priority I think must be given to our landlord Nic Allen who completed the London Marathon on Sunday in a very respectable time. To do the race at all leaves me in awe (knees would definitely not permit!) but to do it having had a week in bed with a stomach infection is something else. So huge congratulation to Nic who has been raising money for Cancer Research.
Personally feeling as if I have run a marathon or two this morning, but I think its just a case of 'Lorry Lag'. Robin and I set off in 'Precious' (big lorry) on Friday night and caught the 2.45am ferry to Rosslare from Pembroke - nice! Then drove to Cork to watch Harriet compete on Saturday and Sunday, then back to pick up three new horses in Wexford on Sunday evening. All going well until we pulled into Sean Doyle's yard, dropped the ramp, walked back around to the front of the lorry to see water pouring out of a pipe in the engine - not nice! Finding a mechanic in the middle of nowhere on a Sunday evening was a complete non starter, but the lads at the yard came up trumps, and John (not an official mechanic, but soon turned into one!) and Mr Doyle senior saved the day by fixing offending water pipe, whilst we all retreated to the pub! An extra night in the lorry, and then a nervous run to the ferry early yesterday morning with everything crossed that the mending would hold up at least enough to get us back over the water followed. All was well though and the mend held up with no problems even with the four hour drive back from Pembroke. Very glad to see the end of our drive, and very glad to get into my own bed last night!