A Very Pleasant Party!

We did suffer a bit of a reversal when Martial Law came down at the last in the handicap hurdle at Ffos Las last Thursday with the race in safe keeping.  He actually jumped the flight really well (too well if anything) and it was just one of those unlucky falls where he knuckled on landing.  It just goes to show that you can’t take anything for granted in racing - fortunately he is quite alright after the race, but the handicapper has seen fit to put him up by 11lbs in future handicaps.  Therefore he runs again this evening at Towcester in a bid to take advantage of his old mark – we will be keeping our fingers crossed for better fortune tonight.

We had an enjoyable evening at the Blue Ball (just down the road from the yard) on Saturday night when we had our end of season party.  With Eddie our head lad providing the live entertainment with a gig with bandmate Steve, everyone seemed to have a good time.   There was a good turnout from the staff and almost unbelievably everyone was on their best behaviour - sadly for you therefore, I have no scandalous stories to report back!  With Tom Bellamy riding a winner the following day and Conor O’Farrell also in the winners’ enclosure – the lad’s obviously didn’t overdo things on Saturday night!

Indeed, Conor rode a very notable winner when guiding home I’m Fraam Govan at Worcester for Sir Alex Ferguson.  Unfortunately Sir Alex couldn’t be there as he was otherwise engaged – something to do with the last day of the Premiership season I believe?!

Looking at the week ahead there is plenty of jump racing taking place.  Recent ex-Franch recruit Cabora makes her debut for the stable at Wincanton tomorrow in the novices’ hurdle and Timmy Murphy partners our four year old filly.  Besides her, we have entries at Fontwell, Perth, Ludlow, Aintree, Bangor, Uttoxeter, Market Rasen and Stratford later in the week.

Meanwhile, over on the flat there should be some exciting action to look forward to with the seasonal reappearance of wonder horse Frankel in the Lockinge at Newbury on Saturday.  With the likes of So You Think and Excelebration as top class potential opponents, it should be a very interesting contest.  Frankel’s full brother Noble Mission could also be in action in the Dante at York on Thursday – the race is traditionally one of the best Derby Trials and it will be fascinating to see how he gets on.  While he is clearly more of a stayer than his illustrious brother, it is quite clear that Noble Mission shares plenty of his ability.  I will certainly be watching the action with interest.

Remember to keep in touch with all the latest goings-on from the yard by reading Chester’s Daily Chat.