A mixed day but mainly positive. Elvis ran a cracking race considering the opposition and after Peter had gone the scenic route still managed to come a very creditable fourth place. Rock was the main disappointment as he was running a fabulous race keeping up with the very strong pace but then folded two from home and Nick pulled him up - He was making a noise so at least now we know he definitely needs a wind operation as before we thought it was the soft ground. Having said that only three finished as it was such a strong pace. We then had the two maidens, Bella and Pixie (Answer Quick) who were in a sixteen runner maiden. Once again we just missed out on the race being split by one horse and both Hugh on Pixie and Nick on Bella schooled them around at the back trying to avoid the carnage. After a circuit they moved them into the main body of horses when Pixie got in close to the fence by the crowd and fell. She got straight up and Hugh was fine. Bella continued on, gaining in confidence and ran on really well to come around sixth. We were delighted with her. It was then El's turn on Dancer, (who had been snoozing happily in the trailer all afternoon) in a ridiculously hot conditions race. She was up against some horses who were rated over 130 when they ran under rules so we were expecting her to be tailed off, but El 'rode her like she stole her' and ended up a fast finishing sixth place. She rode her really well and you would not believe that it was only a year ago when El was completely tailed off and then fell off in between fences as she was so tired. She has got herself properly fit this season and her race riding has improved immeasurably. 

 Fantastic weather and the party afterwards was as good as ever - we were the last to leave....

Dancer and El

Relaxing after the race