We schooled 4 horses on the grass last Thursday with Noel Fehily who schooled Verano and Seventh Sky and report that he liked the pair of them. Western King and Portmonarch also had a pop before their runs. Later on Thursday afternoon the bank manager gave the go ahead for the building work in transforming the old hostel in to some luxury accommodation. Which is just as well as the building actually started 5 days before hand!
On Friday morning I rode 2 lots and then had a nice lunch with Andy Stone and his daughters before we went to Fontwell to watch Elmore Back. He ran a credible 4th beaten only 2 lengths, the ground may have been a little quick for him and he came back a little jarred up. He is now cantering again and having some physio and will be out again one more time before his summer break. We ran Westerbrooke in the last race and Ben Ffrench Davis had his first ride for us, he is a very gross horse and we are finding it impossible to get him fit at home alone. He is gradually losing his tummy and has shown he has an engine at home so we will try and tighten him up as best we can. At Bangor Area Access ran a good race to finish 2nd to a very well h'capped horse of Jonjo's.
I took Andy and the girls up the gallops on Saturday and then went to Uttoxeter for our three runners. Seventh Sky ran and jumped ell in his first Novice Chase coming 2nd to a decent horse of Nicky Hendersons. Almost Gemini was very disappointing but we have subsequently found he had struck into himself very badly and lost a shoe which would have been enough to stop him. Airmens Friend finished 6th, we had hoped for better as he is very well h'capped but we have decided to pull up stumps with him as he is not letting himself down after a leg injury 18 months ago.
It was no let up on Sunday with 4 horses to get out for a canter a pop ahead of running on Monday and then I had 15 people round for lunch.
On Monday I rode out Verano and over took most of the string as he was in such good order! I then went to Kempton to watch 2, Portmonarch went okay but the ground was to quick and he needs a step up in trip, Noel thought he was a nice horse. Western King ran okay for his first run back, they broke the track record being a very fast run race which wasn't ideal for him. Duke of Monmouth finished 5th at Ffos Las and will now go on holiday.
Noel rode out on Tuesday and did a strong canter on Verano who he thinks will be ready after a few more bits and would stand a good chance of a win next time out. I then quickly got in a car with Willie Muir and drove up to Wogan Abbey to play in the Tattersalls golf tournament, I have long suspected that golf isn't the game for me and after confirmation yesterday if any one wants to buy a set of clubs I have some for sale!. At least I came back in one piece unlike poor Noel who had two falls and has fractured an eye socket and check bone, I wish him well and hope he wont be out for to long.
Verano worked nicely this morning with Latelo and Victor Leudorum. Sureness did a bit with Murray Mount, she has really settled and sounds much improved after her wind op. Murray Mount was fresh but is still green. Sands Cove worked on his own and did slightly more than normal in preparation to run on Sunday.
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