Excellency Champion Target

Hopefully the positivity that has surrounded the games will remain and we will not fall into an “Olympic Hangover” type of apathy with everyone asking “what next?”  Despite the initial teething troubles surrounding ticketing and security, personally I think that Rio de Janeiro has a huge act to follow for their Games in 2016.

I was listening to Lord Coe on the radio today and he was quite right in his summation that following on from London 2012, his work is not yet finished with the Paralympics just around the corner.  I am looking forward to seeing those and am sure that it will be another triumphant event.

I thought that the much-maligned BBC did a wonderful job with the coverage, both on television and radio and as always, anchor woman Clare Balding was excellent showing a diverse knowledge and understanding of all sports.  Furthermore, I was delighted to hear that Clare has also been announced as the lead presenter for Channel 4 Racing in the New Year - Channel 4 already provided excellent coverage of our sport, but their new signing is a real coup.

On the domestic front we have been very quiet as there has been no jump racing (as Chester keeps alluding to!), although we have been kept busy at home as the horses’ fitness improves after their summer holidays, and others arrive daily.  I must confess I had butterflies in my stomach earlier last week as stable star Grands Crus took to the gallops for the first time and sure enough he didn’t disappoint.  “George” has always been known for his headstrong ways and he was full of himself as he made his way up the gallops under young conditional jockey Kieron Edgar.  Our dashing grey has always been very quiet in his box and around the yard, but the moment he sets foot on the gallops or the racetrack, he becomes a different animal.  Interestingly, for a second successive year regular work rider Gerry Supple was on holiday – I must ask him if he is trying to avoid Grand Crus’ first gallop of the season or if it is purely coincidental!

Looking forward to this week, there is still only a limited jumps calendar although we have entries at Fontwell on Thursday, as well as Market Rasen and Perth on Saturday and Southwell on Saturday.  Starlife, a three year old ex-French filly is likely to make her British debut at Fontwell in the juvenile hurdle and I am looking forward to seeing her in action.  She has only had four starts to date and was impressive when winning at Auteuil last time by twenty lengths.

We could well make the long journey up to Scotland on Saturday where another new recruit, His Excellency (pictured right) could run in the Summer Champion Hurdle.  The four year old has been mixing hurdling and chasing and has shown a good level of form in winning three times in Ireland.  We were able to pick him up from the Doncaster Sales last week and he looks like an exciting recruit to the yard.  Scottish based owners Sean and Jo love a local runner and they could be doubly represented as they also have Hunterview in the same race.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news from Pond House including running plans by visiting Chester’s Daily Chat each day.