We went to Ben Case's Open Day yesterday, his number of horses in training has increased and he paraded over 30 horses before giving us a fantastic lunch. Ben's Open Day has become an annual event for us and we all stop eating at home on Friday in preparation. We sat with Mr and Mrs Tim Curtis who are now witness to the fact Sophie starves me. It isn't worry and work that keeps me so slender it is starvation! When we got home I had to sit down before I went to evening stables, I felt a bit like a camel after my second helping of Eton mess and chocolate moose. The 3 year olds I rode certainly blew a bit harder this morning.
All the horses are now back cantering away having had a week in the loose school. Major Martin has been declared to run at Chepstow tomorrow in a bumper. It is competitive and there won't be many easy bumpers from here on in. The forecast rain hasn't arrived which won't help him, we are still on a learning curve with him. He ran a very creditable race at Newbury 1st time out and then got very tired in a false run race and bottomless ground at Fontwell. He is well and will certainly try his best. Ideally, he wants some hurdles in front of him and a step up in trip. We will make a decision as to what we do with him after tomorrow. Hopstrings is in a competitive race at Bangor and we will make a final decision on whether or not to run her nearer the time. She is some tough cookie and I can't remember a horse that takes their races like she does. I would have Sulamani high on my list of sires if I wanted a racehorse. Max Ward will certainly take his chance at Bangor if the rain stays away.
