One of those days at Ffos Las yesterday and we hoped for a far better day. Things didn’t go to plan with Lerichi Belle, who Aidan Coleman pulled up after the 4th fence. She usually jumps much better than that and it was frustrating as we’ve put so much work into her and the physio felt she was spot on. That’s racing! World War, although a huge outsider on paper, he’s beautifully bred, jumps for fun and works well at home so we were still hopeful especially as the ground is what he’s won on in Ireland on the flat. He stopped far too soon so we will have a look at him with an overground scope and see if there is something we can do.
They were our only runners of the weekend with no runners on Saturday. Whilst Harry scored a goal in his under 9s football match, they were beaten 5-4 in the final minutes, Freddie was supporting his best friend Richard Cook who he pony races with at Cheltenham Racecourse. Richard rode his first winner at Cheltenham’s Pony Race Meeting in April on his lovely 138cm pony Barney and had a fantastic spring with him becoming West Midland Area Champion too. So cruelly Richard and his mum found Barney with a broken leg in the field one morning during the summer and he had to be put to sleep. However, they had him cremated and, after an email request from Richard, Cheltenham Racecourse kindly agreed to let them scatter his ashes under a tree near the Cross-Country course on Saturday so huge thanks to Ben Hastie, Head Groundsman, who was so kind and helped arrange it all for them.
Schooling this morning and a surprise visitor in Mark Boothright who is staying locally for a few weeks. Conor Shoemark was in and we schooled Mr Mafia, Pomme De Nuit, Solstice Star, Lerichi Belle, Chequered View, Big Nasty, Reve and Buckle Street. All the rest cantered.