Milder this morning and we worked and schooled some horses before going to Cheltenham Racecourse for another school around their Cross-Country course.
James Best, Sean Bowen, Warren Marston and Harry Stock all in to ride work and we worked Pay The Woman, Sarasota Star, Big Nasty, Ben Buie, Breizh Alko and Brianna Rose. All worked well and then Sean schooled Mahanakhon Power and James schooled Mozzaro and I was pleased with them both too.
As mentioned, we then took Talkischeap (James) and Back On The Lash (Sean) back to Cheltenham to cement what they learnt jumping around the Cross Country courses last week and both were great. Lash’s owner Mark Boothright came to watch and I’ll share the footage we took on social media later – after I’ve done my day job at Huntingdon!
Straight to Huntingdon and Dreamsundermyfeet returns after a break under Ben Godfrey. He’s in great form but is a big solid horse and I’m not sure whether we’ve got his 100% straight for today although he’s done plenty so he could come on again for his run today. He should enjoy the good ground and, despite the slight worry about his match fitness, I’m hopeful of a big run.
Later on Cut & Run returns after pulling her shoe and some foot off last time and giving us quite a worry. She was in the process of running the best race she’s run for quite some time so a reproduction of that could see her having an each way chance. Patrick Cowley rides her and she’s gone well for him in the past.
On Sunday we went to Sandown Park with Mr Mafia who deserved a shot at a 0-150 Veteran Chase after his fabulous summer. He seemed in great form at home but we knew it was a big ask – we weren’t sure that the ground would be dry enough for him as he likes to bounce off it and, the main worry was whether he’d gone over the top. He looked a picture in the paddock but from quite early on, despite jumping superbly as usual, knowing him so well watching on he wasn’t running with quite the zest he has done. Sean said that after the Railway Fences for the second time, despite being in 2nd place, he could have pulled him up then as he felt he was emptying quickly. He pulled him up after a slow jump at the 2nd last and he returned in one piece to the delight of us all. What a year he’s had. 12 years young – 3 wins including breaking the course record at Market Rasen, two 2nds and a 3rd from 8 runs. As I’ve said before he owes us nothing and he’ll return to the Boggis’s 5* winter holiday home (!) and return in the spring all being well. We’ll see if he retains the same enthusiasm and if he does we’ll have more fun next year I’m sure.
