Monday 23 March 2015

21 and counting

Judith Hurst a member of the Tangledupinblue syndicate that own Cedre Bleu came to stay on Tuesday night, we had a very good dinner which I think she enjoyed. On Wednesday morning I took her up to the gallops to see the horses in action. A few horses worked, including Nimbus Gale and Bridal Suite who both went well. No Bad News and Native Explorer also did a bit. Jamie Snowden then drove me to Warwick for the NTF Jumps Racing Committee meeting. We tried to put the world to rights and mainly discussed handicapping and various races in the program book.
 
We schooled three horses on Thursday with Gavin Sheehan and Tommy. We got Murray Mount jumping very well for only his second school.
 


 
 
On Friday morning we watched the eclipse but I thought it was a bit of an anti climax and didn't really understand what the fuss was about! It was about the first time I have had BBC news on the office television in the morning and not the racing replays! The Jockey Club came to see me later on during the day to discuss the future of my gallop, it went well but I am sure there will be more discussions to come. The Jockey Club have done a wonderful job in Lambourn and the gallops are absolutely first class. The results are definitely coming and with all the ideas they are having and improvements they are making I am sure there will be plenty more to come.
 
We had two Red Letter Days on Saturday, Ray and David Lambert. We had a lovely morning on the gallops, they must have enjoyed watching the horses work as David has bought into the Steeplechasers Partnership and Ray is becoming a member of the CMRC. I offered them a day at the at Newbury races but they chose to go and watch Charlton 'v' Reading which was probably a good move as Charlton won 3-2.
 
I had a good lunch at Newbury with David Fox, Terry Simmons, Tony Holt and John Robinson. We ran Libeccio in the competitive juvenile handicap, although he only finished eighth he ran well. They went too quick for him and he looks to want further. No Bad News ran in the valuable DBS bumper. He travelled very well but lost his action coming into the straight, he came back very lame. I hope it is just because he banged a splint as he seems far better today.
 
Native Explorer ran third at Stratford, I think the track and the trip were a bit sharp for her, ideally she needs a bit further. Bridal Suite managed to win at Fontwell making it twenty one wins for the season. Tommy Dowling gave him a good ride. He idled quite a lot throughout but as soon as he got some day light he took off, but may well need some sheepskins to help him travel a bit better in the future. Paul Mott has had a good season as that was win number five and most importantly his first win when he was on course.
 
 
 
I had a quiet day on Sunday, Matilda came to stay with us and it turned out to be a lovely sunny day.
 
We have been trying to get Cedre Bleu fit for the Grand National but we are up against it as he has had a viral infection. It looks like the race will come to soon for him which is a great shame for all concerned. He is only eight so hopefully we will get him there next year-they do say nine year olds are at the right age to win it!
 
We have a quiet week ahead as a couple are now ready for a break but we still have a few horses in the pipelines so hopefully we can notch up a couple more wins before the season comes to an end. Verano and Bridal Suite will run again shortly and Nimbus Gale and Royal Redemption are almost ready to run after their wind ops. I have made an entry on Saturday for Always Smiling who has had a year off the track but is in fine fettle and should go well first time out which will be her first time in handicap company.
 
 

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