Cheltenham!

My sister Caroline came to stay on Tuesday and she seemed in very good form. She saw the horses that she has shares in and watched them on the gallops.

We had a busy day on Wednesday, with six red letter days in the morning. I sent Iffy down to London to buy me a new jeep for the gallops. He came back about 10 hours later with a good looking 4x4, which hopefully, should be ideal!

Unfortunately for us, Iffy is leaving at the weekend, having been with me for 12 years, as he has bought a house in Swindon and it is not practical for him to drive in and out every day. We will be sorry to see him go, and obviously we wish him well.

We had the most delicious fish in the Malt Shovel on Wednesday night, with scallops to start with and two very fresh Dover soles to follow. The chef, June, is doing a very good job!

We schooled horses this morning and To Begin was very good over fences. We schooled Ephraim over hurdles for the first time and he took to it really well. He is a very exciting horse and hopefully he will be running in the middle of November. Expedite also schooled over hurdles and jumped really nicely.

As I said previously, we are in the process of moving banks and I had a nice present delivered in the post today from my new Bank Manager - two very smart bottles of wine, which are apparently to help my broken bones!! 

Tess has been busy getting this years Horses in Training brochure up together and I am very pleased with the photo that I took on Wednesday, which will be used on the front page...

To be used on the front page of our new Horses in Training brochure

Our very smart yard cat... Foxy's favourite!!

Baltic Storm looking beautiful...

We had two runners at Ludlow today - Victor Leudorum was 4th, having jumped and travelled nicely. It would be nice to find a race for him, but he does need decent ground, so we may be running out of time. I thought we'd have a winner at Ludlow with Gowanauthat, but unfortunately, he only got to the second fence, before unseating the rider. We do definitely need a change of luck right now!!

Victor Leudorum taken before setting off for Ludlow this morning..

Gowanauthat taken before setting off for Ludlow this morning..

Quebec runs at Cheltenham tomorrow - it is the first meeting at Cheltenham this season and I think there will be a great buzz about the place. Let's hope we have more luck tomorrow! There are 11 runners and Harry Bannister rides. Quebec is owned by The Steeplechasers and a good proportion of the syndicate are able to go, so we shall look forward to a nice lunch and a good days racing!