Never a day off in paradise

It's been really hectic this week due to staff shortages and various runners all over the country. On Monday was the journey up to Wolverhampton with Sail Home and Lea Valley, neither managed to land a blow but it is easy to excuse runs there at the minute as the kickback is terrible and alot of horses can sulk if they find themselves in it. The next  day we were again on the all-weather, at the newly refurbished Kempton, they've re-done the polytrack and it has had mixed reviews but Kampai didn't seem to mind it as the plugged on into 4th place, she's a lovely filly who is lightly raced and will be making hay this season once we are certain on the right distance. The kids favourite at the minute, The Ducking Stool made a quick re-appearance at Pontefract on Wednesday, after being narrowly defeated last Sunday, she again was runner up but ran a great race on a track that probably wouldn't suit her best. Here she is below with my daughter Shelley on last Sunday, before she got caught!

With the fantastic weather we've been having it has had a great impact on the mood of the horses in the yard, their spirits are lifted a little when they know they can go out in the field. It isn't so great though for them on the heath, due to most of the walking grounds being made up of sand it can get very dusty out there and the heathmen are forced to water most of the heath. So it's good that they can get some fresh air to make up for it...



Kampai and Bushy Dell, getting a bigger baby bump every day.





From left, Silver Alliance, Sand Repeal and Sancho Panza take a good look at the camera!

I'm really looking forward to Wednesday this week when Emma's Gift makes a re-appearance after a short break in the Listed race at Salisbury, we have been waiting for ages for her ground and although it looks strong enough I really hope she can get some of that elusive Black Type that she deserves. Also next week will be Verona Bay making his debut over hurdles at Stratford on Thursday, he has been jumping well at home but it's completely different when they get to the race track and they can often be quite green. Then Omega Omega, who has been taking her racing well, goes to Nottingham on Friday, the track will suit but we are just unsure about her ideal trip at the moment.