A busy day yesterday with two runners at Newton Abbot and Windsor too. Awful weather so thanks to my team who coped so well. Thady Quil ran well and finished 5th and pleased his owners, which is always what a strive to do! The Kvilleken was very unlucky in running and got very badly hampered on the final circuit however I would still have thought he could have picked up again so was a little disappointing. Jazzy at Windsor looks to be well and truly in the grips of the handicapper so needs to be given a chance.
Belinda thoroughly enjoyed her trip to York albeit a 7 hour round trip also in driving rain. Her and the other Charity riders had the chance to spend the day with former Champion Flat Jockey Kevin Darley and former Jump Jockey Russ Garrity and they all got so much out of the day. Between the 12 riders they’ve so far raised £100,000 which will pay for a Macmillan Nurse for two years so hats off to them all for all their hard work. I know Belinda has found it a massive juggle with the pressures of the office, looking after the boys and also wanting to ride out as many lots as she can to get fit as well as going swimming or running every day, The rest of the riders mainly work full time too so well done to them all.
What horrendous riding conditions this morning and another thank you to my team who certainly appreciated the bacon sandwiches from Belinda and Phoebe. Work morning so Warren Marston and Andrew Tinkler in to cope with the weather too! An enjoyable morning riding out for ‘retired jockey’ Warren!!
Geoff and Caroline Godsall braved the weather to watch their Dr Dunraven and were pleased with him. Jon Hughes was in too – Dr Dunraven is part of the Owners for Owners Partnerships. Always lovely to see Geoff and Caroline here and they went on to Claire Hardwick’s to see the horses Claire has there. She does a great job for us.
Busy again today and I’m doing both meetings. Whatalove heads to Chepstow where we hope she will cope with the ground but it’s an unknown. She seems in good form. At Southwell tonight Viking Mistress runs with Richard Johnson and they hope to follow up their recent Worcester win however the 11lbs she was raised by the Handicapper may just be a few lbs too much at the age of 9. She’s in good form though and it would be fantastic for our Racing Club if she were to follow up. Ask Alice won’t want much more rain and Lizzie Kelly partners her again.