We worked a few horses on Wednesday. Nimbus Gale went very nicely as did Sureness ahead of Cheltenham. Gowanauthat worked well but will need another week after his time off. We then had a late lunch at the Hare with Mark Hitchcroft who had come to see his horses.
Western King has now been in since Christmas, in preparation for his summer campaign he had a wind operation and came back in on Thursday. Harry Bannister and Philippa Holland came in that morning to school. Philippa schooled Mr Big under the tuition of Colin Brown of Desert Orchid fame, this was her last schooling session ahead of riding Mr Big in a point-to-point on the Sunday.
We went to Sandown on Friday where we had three runners, we had a box for lunch with quite a lot of owners there for the day. Lambro ran in the Military Gold Cup but unfortunately pulled up, I think the consensus of opinion is to retire him on that note. He has been bleeding very badly and although he has been on a new medication from America it has not been working well enough and he is panicking in his races. We will find him a nice home where he can enjoy retirement.
Sands Cove finished fourth, they went far to fast for him and I think I ran him a bit to soon after Southwell as he was very tired the next day. We will freshen him up and find a suitable race on some decent ground. Native Explorer ran a really nice race, she finished fourth in good company and will come on a bit for the run. She may get a mark now but she look capable of winning something so we will look for another race for her in about three weeks.
We then drove to Windsor Castle to have drinks with the Queen which is always a splendid occasion. It was Katya's first time and she managed to do a very good curtsey! I enjoy talking to the Queen as she loves talking about her horses and her trainers! We left Windsor castle and had supper with Tony and Rita Stapleton which was a wonderful end to the evening.
On Saturday we worked some horses, Gowanauthat is coming on as is Bridal Suite. We had two runners at Sandown and one at Chepstow. Libeccio ran a good race and finished second in his first handicap. I think when he gets a little bit further and some better ground he will be winning quite soon. Seventh Sky ran a really nice race over a trip that was too short for him. He was second running on at the end. He is a remarkable horse and that was his fourteenth run of the season, he has hardly been out of the money. John Heron his owner has had a lot of fun from him this year.
Lord of House ran at Chepstow. He needs soft ground and the ground had gone the wrong way for him. He didn't enjoy himself, spat his dummy out so was pulled up. It has been very frustrating this year as he hasn't been right when the ground was soft, we must get him back on track to have him ready for any rain. We went from Chepstow to stay with Katya's sister and brother and law at Ferne Park which must be one of the most beautiful houses in the country. We left on Sunday morning to go to the BV point-to-point. We ran Mr Big in the members race, it was a very hot race and they went too quick but he got round in his own time and Philippa enjoyed her spin. We had a very good picnic lunch with Paul Nicholls who was moaning about the fact he hadn't got many runners going to Cheltenham this week as Willie Mullins. It nearly got to the point where I felt sorry for him!
We have got a busy time this week as we have people staying for Cheltenham where we will all be heading everyday. Unfortunately we don't have as many runners there as Nicholls! Sureness runs in the Mares race on Tuesday. My tip of the week is Many Clouds in the big race for Oliver Sherwood.
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