A busy day with runners at two meetings. Foxy, my Assistant, is in charge at Newton Abbot where we have two Royal runners both partnered by Leighton Aspell. Cut & Run is our first runner in the 2m 5f Maiden Hurdle for Zara Tindall and returns after a long holiday back with Zara. She had an irregular heartbeat detected after her last disappointing run in December but we have had no similar problems since. She seems a lot stronger this season and if she runs to her Ludlow 5th form last season then she would have place prospects today.
Chequered View runs in the Mares’ Chase and steps up to 3m 1f and for a small field it’s competitive. I was pleased with her return over hurdles and she now switches to fences. She won on her chasing debut and that form would give her every chance today so we are hopeful of a big run.
I am going to Stratford with Capital Force and it is Syndicate Sunday, a new initiative that our Chairman, Jon Hughes, is very involved in and it will no doubt be a fun day and I hope it goes well for them as a lot of people have put a lot of work into it. Richard Johnson made the day for our son Harry on his 9th Birthday last Tuesday by winning on Mr Mafia, Harry’s favourite horse. It’s Dicky’s birthday today so I need to repay the favour! Capital Force seems in good form and should have a great chance in what is also a small but competitive field. The family are coming too so it would be fantastic if we could get him into the Winners’ Enclosure again for owners John & Claire Abernethy.