The horses are taking it easy apart for a few, Billy Biscuit and Trouble Digger will remain in full work with a view to going to Chaddesley Corbett over Christmas. Neither will go if the ground is soft. Having watched the bumper from Wetherby I am delighted Major Martin stayed in his box, it was certainly the right decision. One horse took a false step and un-shipped his rider and another nearly did the same. 3 year olds that are genuine National Hunt horses raced on ground like that need a year to recover in my mind.
The exhaust fell off my ageing car this morning so I was unable to get to Barbury to walk the course, I made a few phone calls and am told that the ground is good to soft and they've had a beautiful day today. Cloud cover must be due as the temperature is forecast no lower than 3 degrees tonight. Knockdhu will run. My car will be in dock this week for a new clutch and exhaust. I am rather fond of it and can't bring myself to go into further debt by getting a new one. It has 164,000 miles on the clock and needs to make 200,000 at least!
It was lovely to see Sam TD making such a fuss of Hello Bud, all to often I see horses winning top flight races and the jockeys don't even bother to give them a pat. It was heart warming stuff. Tonight we have a house full of friends coming pointing tomorrow and I am cook! Steak baked potatoes and salad.
