Sunday 18 March 2012

We had a wonderful week at Cheltenham - as usual top class racing and a great atmosphere. It was lovely to see the great Kauto Star in the paddock and see and hear the reaction when Ruby pulled the great warrior up, knowing that this wasn't going to be his race - the crowd were more interested in making sure that he was safe than in the rest of the race and gave a great roar of approval when Ruby bought him back into the paddock unharmed. That's national hunt people for you, and very warming to know that it isn't all about money in this sport.


On Thursday we had the vet to scan Oaka and unfortunately he is out for the season with a tendon injury. Because he ran a poor race at Didmarton, the owners thought that as he's not a great racehorse he might as well go hunting - sadly, he came back with a big leg so now we have to wait until next season before we can prove that he is better than his performance suggested.


We have a big day today at the races, with Doctor Kingsley (Jake) in the first, We Never Give Up (Jess) and Intimate Whisper in the second and Laverty in the last. Jake will almost certainly go off the favourite as he loves Whitfield, so the pressure is on - It will be really interesting to see how Jess and Whisper perform - it is Whispers first time over fences and Jess's second so the nerves will be jangling for that one, and then good old Laverty in the last who always gives his best.


I had better help with the mucking out - hopefully next time I post I will be able to report that all horses are back safe and sound and ran to the best of their ability.