No runners for us at Cheltenham yesterday but fantastic racing and thanks to Jason & his team for looking after my Dad so well. Jason promised a Birthday Cake for him to celebrate his birthday on Thursday, and that’s what he delivered – candles and all and most in the O&T Restaurant sang too and I’m sure Dad was pleased despite being embarrassed!
An early start to Sedgefield today with three runners hoping that the ground doesn’t go too soft as they want decent ground. Very good of Sedgefield’s Clerk of the Course Charlie Moore to call me first thing with a going update, much appreciated.
Bobble Emerald is our first runner returning after an absence of over 450 days. He won his last two races with his last race at Cheltenham’s 2017 October Meeting where he gave Harry Stock his first Cheltenham winner. Leighton Aspell in the saddle today as Harry has been signed back on but from tomorrow. Great to have Harry back this coming week though.
Young Phoenix is the next runner and makes his fencing debut and we have hopefully found him a winning opportunity. He was unlucky not to win over hurdles recently at Fakenham but Paddy Brennan was in to school him over fences in the week and thinks it will hopefully make a man of him. He jumped very well but has to transfer that to the track.
Finally Gold Mountain makes his seasonal debut and also yard debut having joined us last year from owner Jim Burley. He’s a horse that we have all really taken too and seems in great form too however he is also returning from a long layoff – this time of just over 400 days.
Meanwhile Belinda, Freddie & Harry are off to the local Cocklebarrow Point to Point and are going early to watch their friends in the pony racing which starts at 10.30am. One of our Graded winners, Creepy, who won a Grade 2 Hurdle for us at Cheltenham, is running later in the day giving a new jockey his first ride in a Point to Point. What a terrific servant he has been to connections as he also gave both Charlie & Robbie Dee their first few point to point rides. Good luck to him.