A Day To Remember

Obviously, last week was a very important one for me.  Afterall, it is not everday that you get married…not a moment too soon a number of people have told me!  Indeed, last Monday I was married to my partner of fourteen years, Leanne at a ceremony at Tunnels Beaches, Ilfracombe.

A Day To Remember

It was a wonderful day – the venue was fantastic, the weather was (in the most part) kind and the company was great.  We were able to share our special day with 96 friends and family – it is a shame that it could not be more, but present Covid restrictions being what they are, we were grateful to have that many guests.

Everyone had a wonderful time and whilst Leanne looked amazing, the children very nearly stole the show.  Our daughters, Sophie and Martha were beautiful bridesmaids, whilst I couldn’t have asked for a better best man than our son Jack who delivered a knockout speech that had everyone rolling around in the aisles.

Whilst the chance to get away would be much appreciated, the honeymoon will have to wait until we are a little clearer on travel ‘green zones’.

Creditable Efforts

Sadly we couldn’t top it all off with a wedding winner, but the two runners we did have last week performed creditably nonetheless.  Oneonechop, a multiple winner at up to a mile on the level in France, ran in the juvenile hurdle at Stratford on Sunday.  Our three year old jumped extremely well on his first attempt over timber and looked a likely danger two from home.  Unable to go with the principals in the closing stages, he finished fourth and it may be that he did not quite see out the trip.  We will give him another entry at Newton Abbot at the weekend.

Our other runner, Mr Tambourine Man came on the flat at Salisbury on Sunday.  Contesting the seven furlong novice event, he stayed on pleasingly in the closing stages having been outpaced in the early part of the race.  A winner over hurdles in Ireland this was a good first effort and he looks a nice prospect going forward for owners Midd Shire Racing.

The Week Ahead

Looking to this week and we had a runner at Newton Abbot this afternoon where Percy Street contested the selling hurdle.  The persistent rain did nothing to aid his chances, changing the ground to soft (heavy in places).  A talented individual, he has the ability to win races of this nature, although he does not win as often as his ability suggests he should.  I am sure he will pop up at some point, although when that will be; only Percy knows.

Our next runner will come at Uttoxeter on Wednesday when Pasqualita, another new horse to the stable, will make her British debut in the novices’ hurdle on the card.  A four year old filly, she has won two of her six races on the level in Germany and France and was far from disgraced in Listed company at the former.  She has pleased me with her work and schooling at home and will make her debut in the colours of the Pipe’s Prospectors syndicate with David Noonan aboard.

Later in the week, Dock Of The Bay and Veiled Secret hold entries at Worcester on Thursday.  Koi Dodville and Oneonechop are entered in the juvenile hurdle at Newton Abbot on Sunday and Lady Reset is entered in the 2m1f novices’ handicap hurdle.  The ground will need to dry out significantly at the Devon track before then if they are to run, although there is a much brighter week forecast.

So Near, Yet So Far

It was a shame that England couldn’t lift the European Cup last night at Wembley but the squad did extremely well to get to the final and conducted themselves admirably both on and off the pitch.  There will be a chance for them to go one better towards the end of next year when they contest the World Cup.  I am sure the Euro experience will have given the young squad plenty of invaluable experience.  Sadly, the online abuse continues and it seems to be even worse in football than it does in racing although it is totally unacceptable in any walk of life.