Sorry for no blog for a few days. It’s been a manic but fantastic week at Cheltenham and I’m afraid that with guests here before racing each morning and always trying to beat the traffic I didn’t manage to do the blog.
Any Currency did us proud and travelled and jumped as well as he ever has done. They are all wise to him kicking for home from canal turn now and it seemed a better race this time and they were able to quicken more than him. Although initially some felt retirement could be on the cards Aidan got straight off him and said that definitely not to retire him and that he felt like a 3 year old for ¾ of the race and loved it. So no fairytale winner but he returned safe and sound and pretty happy with himself too. Thank you all for all your messages regarding him, they are all appreciated and we are now making a plan for where he goes next. As soon as we have any inclination he’s not enjoying life like he did then we won’t carry on with him but no-one loves their work at home more than him and he thoroughly enjoyed himself at Cheltenham last week too.
I think we all enjoyed ourselves! So great to see so many of you both here and at the races – it really is a brilliant week.
On Thursday however I didn’t go to Cheltenham as we had runners at Towcester where City Never Sleeps finished 2nd and Ballymountain Boy finished 3rd.
On Saturday we hosted the Martin Keighley Racing Club here for breakfast, fizz and a morning on the gallops. They are such a great group of people – all likeminded racing fans and it is wonderful to see so many making new friendships through the group. We watched a recording of Buckle Street’s recent win and everyone received a photo of him winning and a DVD. Thanks to members Janne Bishop and Mary Cull for being so wonderful in the kitchen and to Paul Davis for organising it all so well.
Race wise on Saturday we were at two meetings. Cottersrock went to Kempton where it soon became evident why he dropped away when he was travelling and jumping well. He’d managed to slice one of his hind legs all the way down to the bone – it was disgusting and full credit and thanks must go to the vets there for spending so long stitching him up and doing such a good job too. He’s a lucky boy – sore but lucky.
Just getting to Uttoxeter was a trial. We need a large lorry for Johnny Og as he travels loose or he gets claustrophobic and unfortunately the original box we had booked all week needed to go elsewhere. Thanks to all that helped during a very stressful morning – massive teamwork helped us get there on time.
Johnny Og was disappointing again even back over hurdles so big decisions to be made with him. Solstice Star however ran an absolute belter to finish 2nd under Killian Moore and delight his owners.
Yesterday was a day for trying to catch up after a week of no admin time! Today will also be spent doing that before I go racing where Ask Alice makes her debut in the bumper at Southwell and Dalton Glance runs over hurdles. A girls day and it would be great if they both ran encouraging races for their supportive owners.
Belinda’s next fundraiser for the charity race she is doing at York in June is coming up a week on Friday – 31st March. It’s a Racenight at the Horse & Hounds Pub in Broadway and tickets are just £5 including a light supper. Again all proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Support and it will be a fun night. Tickets can be purchased from the yard or the pub.