Royal Wins at Wetherby

 
    Royal Mer Four Time Winner this Season

Royal Mer put up his most impressive performance to date to win at Wetherby yesterday, his fourth win over fences this season.  He travelled very well in midfield for much of the race before coming through to challenge in the home straight.  His biggest asset his his jumping and he is so neat and quick over the fences.  He is a strong traveller and powered clear from the last.  This was a nice performance of his highest ever rating of 107 and he promises of more to come.  Having originally thought he was going to be more of a three miler he has now put up his best performances over two miles!  The softer the ground the better and while we haven't got him entered up quickly at the moment I am sure he will run again while the ground stays as it is.  He was won four races and been second twice from seven starts this season having not won a race before then.  He was a great claim from France by owner Sam Sutton and I am sure there is plenty more fun to come.

It is a quiet day on the horizon for jumps racing as there is none today, but 3 cards on the all-weather for you enjoy at Newcastle, Lingfield and Chelmsford. In Ireland, there is no racing action at all today either.

We had some pretty awful weather yesterday and the team did great to get the horses out in the brutal conditions – there was even snow spotted in the hills! Therefore, we treated the staff to a bacon sandwich at breakfast, to show some appreciation for all their hard work! With all the bad weather we have had recently, it had its effect on the Lambourn open day, which would have been scheduled for today and it is always a great-fulfilled day out for everyone with plenty to do and a real shame for Lambourn to miss it this year.  

Some news in the Flat front, as jockey Dane O’Neill has been forced into retirement due to injury. Dane has had a 32-year-career and had been on the side-lines since July, after having a fall at Wolverhampton where he broke seven ribs and the T6 vertebra.  He has spent the last 8 months visiting Oaksey House in Lambourn for rehab and physio, but unfortunately it was not enough and he has been forced to retire on medical grounds. He had 1,889 wins in Britain and it is certainly a career that he can be proud of and I’m sure he won’t be far from racing in the future!

There is plenty of Football action today to watch, with 12 games scheduled in the Championship League.

Every morning I announce loudly to my family that i'm going jogging, but then don't go.

It's a running joke!

Have a lovely Good Friday!