Ascot hopes

Unfortunately Winker now passes Royal Ascot – the next opportunity may be the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly next month.  He worked on Wednesday with Al Qasi – he tired at the end of the gallop and blew the house down afterwards.  It’s frustrating as he’s not far off full fitness, but he wasn’t quite going to get there in time. I …

A worthy winner

Derby day finally came, although the rain I’d been hoping for didn’t.  It was a blow – I’d only kept Bouguereau in the race in the hope that the ground would come up on the soft side, but that wasn’t going to happen.  Still a great day out beckoned.  I got dressed in my fancy togs and headed off to …

The big one

Only a day away from a runner in the Derby, and although he’s a rank outsider I’m still pretty excited.  The rain didn’t come for me, but there’s still a fair bit forecast and it might be enough to turn the ground at the last minute.  Fingers crossed for a big run. Thoughts on the big race then; I can’t have New …

Scrapper

I have a runner today in the 6:10 at Kempton – Scrapper Smith looks to make amends for his poor first run at Haydock last time.  Scrapper was fancied that day, and in a fairly competitive looking heat he was backed in to favouritism.  It wasn’t the owners backing him – we were surprised to see the money coming in – …

Good weather for ducks

Shepherd’s Warning was disappointing yesterday, but I’m not too worried.  She gets phased pretty easily, and we think that’s what happened yesterday – she’ll be back to her best in a small field going around a bend. More rain today and more expected on Thursday.  Good going at Epsom is looking like a big outsider now and I’m told Bougie …

Having a laugh

Jane and I had a fun evening out on Saturday when we went to the final of Britain’s got talent.  I had VIP seats (bought in a charity auction), which basically meant we were lumped in with the families of the contestants. We arrived at the very small studio a short while before the start, and we were hustled in …