Royal Runners

There is once again no jumps action on today but I am looking forward to having a couple of runners at Royal Ascot tomorrow. Fiulin ridden by Richard Hughes and Ashbrittle and Paul Hanagan are my two representatives in the Ascot Stakes and both would have a little squeak in a hugely competitive race. I was lucky enough to win this race two years ago with Junior, but as like at the Cheltenham Festival these races at the Royal meeting are very hard to win! Decoy just missed the cut for the race and we will look for another race for him over the jumps or on the flat in the coming weeks. I enjoy putting on my top hat and tails for the day and it is always a fantastic atmosphere, fingers crossed the weather stays dry as this always helps however! I may have to bring out the top out again later in the week as I could have another runner on Friday or Saturday. War Singer is entered in both a 1m2f handicap on Friday and a 1m4f race on Saturday. He does need a bit of luck to get in one of these races but hopefully he will as I am looking forward to giving his first spin on the flat since joining on Pond House. We bought him at the French sales last year because of his good flat form and although he is yet to win over hurdles he works nicely at home and it will good to see what he can do on the track.

Meanwhile on the jumping front this week things are quite quiet but I have one runner at Newton Abbot tomorrow evening, Laustra Bad. He ran okay last time out over fences at Worcester staying on at the end and it looks like we have all got the top horse Jolly Roger to beat. That horse has won an incredible six on the bounce and despite carrying a 21 pound penalty I am sure he will run well again. Worcester is the jumping action on Wednesday with Enfant De Lune the only possible runner there, while on Thursday recent Worcester winner Martial Law is entered in a couple of races and Premier Dane also holds an entry. On Friday it is Ladies Day at Market Rasen where Premier Dane and Home run are entered and the next jumping action after that is at Hereford on Sunday. Home Run, Beattie Green, Ladyvie and On Khee are my four entries at the weekend but whether they run or not will all depend on what happens with the weather, I hope the sun keeps shining!

Thankfully we escaped relatively lightly over the weekend with rainfall compared to a lot of places. The final point to point of the season at Umberleigh had to be cancelled on Saturday morning as heavy rain fell. A lot of my staff were disappointed it was called off, more so for the party afterwards than the racing itself I am told! It is good news however that they have rescheduled the meeting for this Saturday 23^rd June, first race 2pm. The sun is out at Pond House today which is great for the horses out on their summer holiday, although they don’t mind the weather too much it is nice to get a bit of sunshine on their backs! I have a little photo of Grands Crus enjoying a little lie down with his brother Gevrey Chambertin, as you can see they were both enjoying a little rest, they get on well!

I also have news of some International racing from the weekend just gone. Both Conor O’Farrell and amateur Mikey Ennis have both been in action in Sweden. Conor finished fourth in the Swedish Grand National and Mikey had three rides, finishing seventh in the big race and fourth in a novice chase. Liam Treadwell was also in action over there finishing just behind Conor in fifth in the Swedish National. Both had a great time and enjoyed the experience.

Enjoy Royal Ascot everyone, I’m off to find my Top Hat.......:)