A Little R&R

Talking of great men – it was good to see Towcester clerk of the course Robert Bellamy last week.  Robert dropped in to see his son Tom (who works at the yard and is an aspiring amateur jockey) celebrating his 17^th birthday.  Robert also worked at Pond House for my dad back in the late 80’s and he hasn’t changed much (apart from maybe being a bit thinner on top!) – back then he lived with Alistair Lidderdale who is now a trainer in his own right.  Anyway Robert has been doing a great job at Towcester and it was certainly good to have some time to catch up with him properly.

It was a quiet week on the racing front with only runners at Worcester and Market Rasen on Friday and Saturday.  I thought that Vertige Dore and Businessmoney Judi both ran with credit when finishing in the frame in their races, although I do have to feel for Vertige Dore.  He does seem to have the most dreadful luck – on his chasing debut for me he “won” at Worcester before being demoted in the Steward’s room, while he was travelling smoothly when parting company with Timmy Murphy at Hereford last month (he jumped the fence well but just buckled on landing).  On Friday, he was again in the process of running a big race in Worcester’s Beginners’ Chase until making a mistake at the last fence and then being badly hampered on the run-in by those challenging.  Still, he has shown plenty of ability and I’m sure his turn will come.

Since then I have been enjoying a couple of days r&r in the sun in the Algarve with Leanne and Jack.  It has been great to get away for a short break and recharge the batteries while there is little in the way of racing taking place in the south.

One person who I am sure wasn’t too pleased to have some time off was Ryan Moore.  However, I see the former champion flat jockey is due to return to action at Ascot on Friday - Ryan is a world-class jockey and it will be good to see him back in the saddle just in time for the big autumn meetings like the Arc de Triomphe and Breeder’s Cup.

Back on the domestic front and looking ahead to later in the week, we have made entries at Bangor on Thursday, Fontwell on Friday and Saturday, as well as Huntingdon and Uttoxeter on Sunday.  We will have a good look through the races to find the best opportunities for those and you can find out about the latest running plans by checking in on Chester’s Daily Chat.  We also have one flat entry - winning hurdler and chaser, Frosted Grape who could run at Kempton on Thursday..,