I was thrilled for owner/breeder Zara Tindall yesterday with Cut And Run’s 12 length win over hurdles at Bangor under a great ride from Leighton Aspell. Zara did plenty of her pre-training at home and has done an amazing job delivering her back just over two weeks before her seasonal debut looking fabulous and in great form. She was a solid 3rd having made a hash of the 1st hurdle and it put her spot on for yesterday.
I must applaud Bangor. I couldn’t make it there yesterday but within minutes of her winning we were emailed a photo which will be framed and sent to Zara and the goodies Richard, our travelling head lad, returned with were superb. I missed a superb lunch too. So hat’s off to Bangor – many courses could learn from them.
On Thursday at Stratford Enforcement ran a much improved race, also under Leighton Aspell, and stayed on to finish 4th for our Chairman Jon Hughes. He’s only small but jumps well and he may even have options over fences next.
I’m off to Gatcombe Park today, home of The Princess Royal, for their Magic Millions Festival of British Evening as Freddie is riding his shetland pony Blackie in the Shetland Pony Grand National. He’s very excited and it should be a great day.
Be Thankful runs tonight at Chelmsford ridden by Poppy Bridgwater. She’s a lovely mare, it’s a drop in grade and although she has top weight she should be able to carry the weight as she’s a big mare. She didn’t stay the trip last time so the drop back to 1m 2f should be perfect. If she runs to her Lingfield 3rd form it would give her a good chance – it’s Poppy’s birthday too so Happy Birthday Poppy!