Apologies for the lack of blog updates over the last 2 days. On Thursday I ran out of time before heading north for a days shooting with Serena Brotherton at Whitwell-on-the-Hill yesterday. After a fantastic day shooting I had a tortuous drive home in the traffic and didn't have any energy left. We shoot 13 wild duck, two of which will be in the oven at the end of the week and about 65 pheasants. Some good and bad shoots from me but a great day.
This morning we took 10 horses to the grass to swing through and schooled the 2 early runners over 9 fences. All went well and the horses appear to be in good shape. I watched the Betfair chase this afternoon and the emotion of Colin Tizzard summed up National Hunt racing perfectly. There are more downs than ups in this game and it takes occasions like the one I witnessed this afternoon to appreciate what it all means. It truly is a great sport. The horses live in 5* hotels, get the best of everything and we all work tirelessly towards the next winner, whether it be at Plumpton on Monday or Haydock on a Saturday afternoon. Who'd want to do anything else.
Sophie has gone away so I'm on fatherly duties tonight and tomorrow. Sholto has a rugby match so its an early start to see to the horses before setting off. Tilly has gone to sleep at a mates house. Panda and I will be supporting from the touch line before going out to lunch somewhere. I managed to burnt my bacon this afternoon so cooking Sunday lunch might just test me too much.
