It was fabulous to meet up with so many friends over the weekend at Cheltenham and all of our horses are home safe and sound. We had a fun evening on Thursday night with David Parry, Andy & Emma Gibson at The Porch House in Stow on the Wold. Great company and delicious food and they all visited us on Friday morning along with Grace & Kevin Johnson.
At Cheltenham on Friday we sadly knew the ground was going to be too soft for Back On The Lash but he ran well for a long way. We are going to have to think carefully about where we can go with him now as he does need better ground – he’s so genuine but isn’t overly big. Maybe a trip abroad…
Debden Bank jumped well until half way when the softer ground caught his wind. It was always going to be his swansong and James Best reported they both thoroughly enjoyed themselves and his owners had a lovely day too – Cheltenham look after us so well. An emotional unsaddling enclosure as he’s given us all some very happy memories and plenty of fabulous days but we’ll ensure he finds a fabulous new home – probably in the Team Chasing/hunting field. He could even go eventing. Ernie will vet any suitable home!
Pinnacle Peak was never quite travelling as well as he was when he won at the October Meeting but he jumped well under Harry Atkins and, despite finishing 5th, was awarded 4th in the Stewards’ Room due to a couple of incidents of interference. The ground was softer than ideal for him but he ran a belter. Redbridge Rambler ran well for a long way and we’ll surely find an opportunity for him to get his head in front soon.
There was strong trade at The Sales on Friday night at Cheltenham and, despite having a reasonable amount to spend, we got no-where near adding to our string!
On Saturday the Springs A Girl “A Grand Day Out” partnership had a fabulous day – many of them experiencing their first taste of ownership – what a place to start! Adam Wedge was asked to drop her out and settle her and then hopefully creep into the race. She did just that but, on ground Adam said was a bit too tacky for her and could have done with a splash of rain, she kept on one paced and couldn’t quicken up the hill. She finished a respectable 10th in what Adam explained rode like a very good bumper and he couldn’t stop telling us how much he loved her so lots of fun ahead I’m sure.
A fun evening with the Kinsey Partnership at The Stag in Stow on the Wold on Saturday night and fabulous to hear how well Big Nasty is doing. He was always going to be very retrainable as, for a huge horse he was always light on his feet, but he’s going from strength to strength in both dressage and show jumping – exciting. The only taxi available in Stow was early which saved our heads!
Two runners today at Hereford now today as Blazing Court wasn’t 100% sound so is a non runner and will now have a winter holiday. Both runners in the same race – Kazontherazz (Adam Wedge) has had wind surgery and hopefully that will help as she looked set to bolt up last time out before her wind caught her. We also run Kalibrate who was so disappointing as a 4 year old that we put him away and gave him a lot of time to grow into his big frame. He’s always been a horse who catches the eye at home and works well too but he’s not shown anything on the track. Time is running out for him unless he really does turn things around. Harry Atkin’s 10lb claim will help and fingers crossed that he rewards those owners in him that have given him a second chance.
Stephen & Helen Sugden, Rick Allen and Adrian Grimmit all in to watch their various horses on the gallops and make plans. A very exciting time of the year – but please stop raining!