Four is the magic number.

I can't ever remember a time of having so many fourth placings - all my runners seem to be filling the fourth past the post spot at the minute. I suppose it could be worse, they could be coming last which would be a nightmare, and fourth isn't too bad as owners get some prize money and at most racecourses there's a fourth spot in the winners enclosure.

The horses are well though and a winner seems to be just around the corner. Baggsy and Exopuntia both ran up to form at Yarmouth on Tuesday and both came (you guessed it) 4th. Ocean Rosie let the side down though with a mulish run. She is running out of chances and might be heading to the sales if she doesn't start trying a bit harder.
Meadow came fourth at Brighton two days later and Always De One came...third! It was a great run from 'Always' who isn't the most tenacious but she ran on well and will come on for the run as it was her first racecourse visit in four months.

This week we have a load of runners, all of whom I hope can finish fourth or better.
My daughter Shelley gets the leg-up on King Columbo at Nottingham on Wednesday. He's going over a bit further than usual but if Shelley can get him settled, he should stay the trip. Also at Nottingham is Blackmore and Sancho Panza in the two mile race. They probably both won't run together as one likes it firm and the other soft but, whoever goes, they should go close.
Also on Wednesday are Emmeline Pankhurst and Bushy Dell at Kempton. Bushy needed the run last time and I'm hopeful of a massive run from her this time over a course and distance that she has won over. Emmeline is one to consider as well, judged on her last run.
The following day, we have Ocean Countess at Wolverhampton. She is a Brighton specialist but, as a result, she is rated almost a stone lower on the all-weather so you'd be a fool not to have a go. Whether she is up to it, we will soon find out.

Luckily there were no disasters to report from the yard this week, all went to plan with everything running smoothly. My apprentice, Adam Beschizza, is still in with a shout for this season's apprentice championship. He is currently in second place in the table, five winners behind the leader Martin Lane, and with only two weeks of the season left, anything could happen. It would be a phenomenal achievement if he could do it in his first year with a licence and I'll be trying my hardest to put him on some winners.