Lots of 2nds!

The horses worked well on Wednesday and we had a nice horse called Quebec running at Towcester. He ran a nice race and finished 4^th but he didn’t like the track and needs a flat course. Noel said there is a good handicap win in him on a flat track.

My sister Victoria came to stay on Wednesday night. We schooled two lots on Thursday – Gavin Sheehan was in and we sent Aspasius to Gary Moore’s as he is going to have a little flat campaign as we feel he is still too weak for hurdling at the moment.

We ran Gowanauthat at Worcester – he ran a really nice race for his first time over fences and managed to finish 2^nd.

I am managing to get out onto the gallops, but am still in a fair amount of pain.

We ran Seventh Sky at Newton Abbot in a very hot race, but he pulled up because he is still not fit enough. We got him in early from the field, we took him to Kempton racecourse for a gallop, and we have worked him very hard, so he is possibly not quite letting himself down. He may need one more run before he peaks at full fitness, but we are definitely not letting the grass grow under his feet!!!!

We had happy hour at the Malt Shovel with the lads on Friday and then dinner afterwards with Terry Simmons, Andy and Emily Stone, who were all staying there. The Malt is working really well and has been packed most evenings, which is really great news and everyone is very happy!

We took Terry, Andy and Emily on the gallops on Saturday morning, along with 4 Red Letter Day’s. We ran Murray Mount at Chepstow, who ran a very good race, finishing 2^nd to a very good horse of Nicky Henderson’s.

My sister Victoria went home on Saturday evening and I had supper with Andy and Emily Stone at the Malt.

We rode four horses out on Sunday morning and I then went to Hen Knight’s book launch, which was absolutely chocker block! We then had a very nice lunch at home with Martin and Nicole Myers and watched Capatosta’s race at Chepstow. Capatosta ran in his first hurdle race and pulled up – I think he is very weak still, but Noel says he will make a very nice horse for next year. He will probably want further too.

I went to the physio this morning at Oaksey house and they said that I was probably two weeks too soon, so they couldn’t do anything for me. In fact they said I was actually doing very well not to be in bed!!!

We have two nice horses running at Huntingdon today – Baltic Storm and Dragon City. Nimbus Gale runs at Worcester tomorrow.