Last week we took delivery of a climbing frame, although you wouldn’t have recognised it as such when it arrived. There were six bags of tubular steel rods all drilled with holes, three bags of nuts, bolts and assorted fitments, a swing, a slide and a canvas “den”. There were also a couple of alan keys to put it all …
Over the moon
A good day yesterday with Lilac Moon winning in fine style. In quality terms she’s not one of my leading lights, but she’s developed into a lovely looking horse and and I’m very fond of her. She isn’t what I would consider broodmare quality, but I’m looking for a few cheaper mares to have on my stud in the early …
Gubbed
I had a good day at Wimbledon with Jane and our two daughters. In truth the girls were a bit too young to appreciate it and they got bored towards the end. When Andy Murray went two sets down we decided to call it a day and head home. Oh well. I spent most of the morning with Tom Goff who …
Season starting in earnest
I’ve been busy this week working on something that I’ll publish some other time. Kings Head was supposed to run on Friday but we pulled him out after the overnight rain. Lord Snooty ran in the US last night coming third. My first four bets of the week, all at decent prices, all came second – I got a little back …
Incredible scenes
I can’t remember a more enthralling day’s sport than yesterday’s fare. In the afternoon I watched the key bits of Ivanovic/Dechy, including a point where at match point down Ivanovic slams a forehand into the top of the net and it hovers and drops over just on the right side for her. You couldn’t write the script – she wins 10-8 …
Skid and Scrapper
Having watched the first day on the telly I decided to get out of the house and go down to Ascot today. I got into my posh gear and headed down fairly late – I missed the first race but I had a decent bet on the winner before I left. I had Aqlaam down as one to follow throughout …
Tariq or not Tariq
… that is the question, and in my opinion the answer is a big yes. Tariq runs in the Queen Anne, and gets the nap vote for the first day. He’s in great form and he won at this meeting last year. He’s progressive, he’ll be happy on the ground and the stable may finally have hit true form. The …
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 …