Wow what a weekend of celebrations for HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. We managed to catch up with quite a lot of the London celebrations and absolutely loved The Queen and Paddington Bear – what a genius idea that was – fabulous and Prince Louis too, what a star!
We had our own party here last night with most of the team and much fun was had by all. The weather wasn’t too kind but we had plenty of cover plus heaters and a camp fire and more food and drink than we could get through! Belinda even managed to produce the Platinum Jubilee Trifle which was a huge success. A fun night with fun people.
At Worcester on Saturday they somehow missed the rain we’d had for the 12/24 hours previously and therefore I wasn’t happy enough with the ground to run Brianna Rose or Forecast. Dreamsundermyfeet didn’t jump with fluency when he finished 3rd in the opener and will now undergo an operation on his back which is something we feared may need to happen at some stage. We’ve had some great results with this operation so have high hopes of him regaining his winning ways afterwards.
Western Safire ran in the bumper and ran an absolute blinder, at a big price, to finish 2nd under Patrick Cowley for his sister and brother in law so a real family affair. Patrick afterwards was thinking he should have kicked on earlier, as he was setting the pace, but the main aim was for her to finish galloping and so it was the correct way of riding her that time we agreed. A lovely mare and so pleased for her owners who were rightly thrilled.
A super day for our yard sponsor FBC Manby Bowdler, who sponsored the card, with Neil Lloyd in charge and no doubt they were thrilled when HM The Queen had a winner – we had to pull Forecast out as to not spoil the party!
Four runners at Southwell today with Ben Buie our first runner under Sean Bowen at 1.35pm. He hated the umbrellas when favourite at Ludlow last time when he was really disappointing so hopefully there are none at Southwell today! It’s not the strongest of races and I hope he’ll put up a much improved performance but he always keeps us guessing!
Brianna Rose (Sean Bowen) steps up in trip to just over 3 miles which should really suit and she should go very close for Matthew Baker. I just wasn’t prepared to risk her at Worcester on Saturday and Southwell, as I hoped, have had some decent rain.
Cut & Run represents our Racing Club under Finn Lambert at 3.20pm in the Mares’ 2m 4f Handicap Hurdle and has been difficult to win with. She’s been really pleasing me at home and it would be great for our Racing Club if she could build on her last run for us.
Finally in the 2m Handicap Hurdle at 4.30pm Sean Bowen partners The Serendipity Syndicate’s Ten Past Midnight wears a visor as he needs to put two disappointments behind him to bounce back to winning ways. Let’s hope it does the trick as he seems in good form.
A super weekend of racing, especially at Epsom, and a brilliant Derby winner. We were also absolutely thrilled for Owen Burrows, Belinda’s oldest school friend, on training his first Group 1 winner at Epsom on Friday with Hukum. It’s such a tough game though and we are so sorry to hear that he returned lame and needed surgery over the weekend on a hind leg. So disappointing for Owen and his whole team and we obviously wish Hukum all the best.