We had a wonderful day at Cheltenham yesterday. Such excellent racing, the highlight had to be Tony McKoys ride on Wichita Lineman in the William Hill Handicap Chase. There seemed to be absolutely no hope at all of him getting the horse home, let alone winning the race. After three or four major blunders we were on the home straight to see Tony's driving finish to get the horse home in front. Pure grit and determination. An astonishing ride. Another great win was ForPaddydeplasterer in the Arkle Challenge - The Irish had heavily backed this horse and Cheltenham just went off when it won. The jockey and supporters were all wearing red and white stripes - Sunderland football colours apparently, and they were all waving the scarves about in the winning enclosure and singing football songs. The contrast between them and the 'Tweedy Set' who were watching rather uncomfortably with tight smiles was highly amusing. This morning I took Red up the gallops three times. She went well but made a bit of a noise the third time. Her recovery rate was a bit better at 94 bpm. Georgia and I then went hunting with the Pytchley. It was a beautiful morning. The meet was at Lord Wimborne's stately home at Ashby st Ledgers - the home of the gunpowder plot. We took Dove and Dream. Dove was really happy and now loves her hunting. Hopefully she will now be as enthusiastic about her racing as she is about hunting. It looks unlikely that we will be going to Brocklesby this weekend as the ground will probably be too soft and we haven't got a jockey - slight inconvenience.
We finished hunting in time to watch the last four races at Cheltenham on TV. Another day of brilliant racing with the Irish now with 8 wins as compared to the English at 4. The softer ground has really suited the Irish horses. Ruby Walsh had a treble, the main one being Master Minded in the Queen Mother Chase.
We are hoping to go to Cheltenham again tomorrow if we get all the work done first...
