Alasdair Kirk of Designtoo has helped me sort out the setting on this new format that Google have decided to change my blog onto. Alastair helps me with all things that involve a computer and he also designed my website. I could not recommend him or his services highly enough and have received numerous compliments for the design and layout of my website. Designtoo operate out of Kemble near Cirencester and are easily found through a Goggle search.
A chilly start but we had no problems getting the horses out. There has been no rain and the gallop is in perfect order. All the babies worked and we were pleased with them.
Sadly Tweseldown has been lost to the weather. I feel desperately sorry for Steven Astaire who I am reliably told was painting the guard rails of the fences this afternoon with a local bookie. Steven puts in endless hours not only at the track but behinds the scenes of point to pointing. People like Steven are few and far between. Tweseldown is on sandy soil and drains very well, I'd have expected very quick ground. It would have suited Silver Breese and I'm sorry for James as there was a race for 10 year olds and over for novice riders. I think James would have ridden his first winner. Silver is in great shape and we'll find something else for him ASAP. Trouble Digger would have had to stay at home again. I hope to run him at Whitwick Manor, he'll love it there.
I can't understand why point to pointing doesn't start in October, there is no alternative date for Tweseldown and the meeting is lost for another year. I get very annoyed as the hunts would rather stage their meetings with large crowds and no horses in April when the ground has normally gone.
Last year I suggested that more clubs should be running point to pointing but it was pointed out to me that there becomes at least 2 major issues adopting clubs:
1 Who's land are they run on? - Traditionally they are run on landowners belonging to the hunts.
2 Where do the helpers come from? - Normally they are associated with the hunt.
The powers that be have an impossible task on their hands but I do believe that things could be better in some areas and more consideration should be given to the horses that make it all possible. Sadly, hunts just want to make as much money as possible, if the truth be told that is their sole objective, owners and horses are secondary to that.
Cavite Gamma has come out of his race feeling well and we'll aim to move him on as a summer jumper. I have no doubt he win novice chases at that time of year and fences may well be the key to him.
