A fantastic day at Worcester on Friday where we ran our first of the winter horses. Found On kicked off proceedings with an emphatic fourth win in a row under another great ride from Sean Bowen making all in the 3m chase. What a consistent mare she is and there was a brilliant post-race interview with owner Ollie Ryan’s wife Irene. That was Ollie & Irene’s 17th winner with us – what a record!
Spanish Present was next and, as mentioned in my Friday blog, I’d left a bit to work on with him as he’d grown and filled his frame during his summer holiday and certainly looked burley in the Paddock! He’s got a super attitude though and never gave us a moment of worry, jumping for fun and delighting Sean Bowen as much as he did us and owner David Maughan. He’ll be a chaser eventually but on the evidence of that win there is going to be plenty of fun to be had with him over hurdles too.
Back On The Lash was having a pipe opener ahead of his return to the Cross Country chase at Cheltenham in November and we also thought he’d need the run however he’s as tough as anything, despite being small, and he ran a blinder to finish a good 2nd and exceed our expectations. Harry Skelton gave him a great ride and that will have put him spot on.
Finally Herecomeshogan ran a good race too under Finn Lambert and, when they turned for home 2 lengths clear, we did think for a split second he was also going to win! He didn’t, but ran another solid race to finish 4th and delight his owners, The Cotswold Lockdowners.
What a brilliant day and a huge feather in the cap of our small team who all work so hard. Thanks so much to Pete Wilson for the superb photos of our horses.
Belinda and I, and Paul Davis, rushed straight off to get to the wedding reception of Charlie & Emily Dee who were married at Hedsor House in Buckinghamshire and a fabulous night was had by all. Congratulations to Charlie and his stunning new wife.
Saturday was a slower start than usual but we got home in time for Belinda to arrive for the final 10 minutes of Harry’s football match away against Pershore and he’d waited for her before scoring! Great timing and the final score was 3-0 so two wins from two so far and 3 in the net for Harry. Keep it up lads!
Pony Racing yesterday at Ffos Las with Freddie on Gavin & Suzanne Hughes’ pony Miss Millfield who we have been lucky enough to have on loan this season. It was a red hot race but they are learning all the time and got a good start and went on to finish 6th out of 11 ponies and, apart from the runaway winner. they weren’t beaten too far. Next stop hopefully at Chepstow on 8th October and then, if they have won enough points to finish in the top 12 ponies in the Country, they will be able to race in the Final at Cheltenham on the Saturday of the October Meeting. That’s the aim!