Hopstrings showed signs of having had enough for the year, she's been on the go for a good while now and has had her last few races in a relatively short period of time. She owes us nothing and has given us all an immense amount of pleasure. I think she got a shocking ride today, she was ridden far too handy and given 6 slaps in 6 strides, I thought jockeys knew better theses days and allowing a horse time to respond was something at the forefront of their minds. By the time Wayne gave up on her the damage was already done. She will now get a well earned rest before she's campaigned for next Spring.
Max Ward seems fine after his run.
A few trips back to Exeter maybe in order, I met an old friend who has invited me shooting in Devon a week on Saturday. I also ran into David Pipe who told me that Vazaro Delafeyette will have an entry at Cheltenham a week on Saturday. I met Tom Malone who was the under bidder and had had supper with David's headman, he has tipped him as the horse to follow from the yard. They obviously think as much of him as we did. Thank god I can end todays blog on a few positives, the last 2 days have been very trying..............
