Happy in defeat

Most of the time I'd be a bit annoyed about a string of defeats but we have gone so close with our runners over the past fortnight or so that I'm just happy all the horses are in such great health. Over the past two weeks we have had eight runners, with four of them finishing 2nd and two others finishing fourth. Frustrating, but when you see the odds of those seconds (14/1, 14/1, 9/4, 8/1), it shows that they are running above or to market expectations. After a good start to the year we were due a run of seconds but hopefully it doesn't go on too long!

We have just the two runners this week to try and go one better.
Limerick Lord was meant to run over hurdles last time but the ground has just been too soft for him to have a go over two miles. I'm not sure he'd stay that far on fast ground, never mind slow, so we are giving him another run on the flat. He heads to Brighton on Tuesday and it is a typically competitive handicap for the track. He ran OK in quite a hot race last time and I think soft ground over a mile could be ideal for him as he has won at Southwell over that trip before.

Limerick Lord (Mark)

We will have plenty of time to get jobs done in the yard then as the horsebox isn't in action again until Friday when Duke Of Diamonds heads to Doncaster. He came alive last time with an easy win at Nottingham and I hope the 9lb rise by the handicapper isn't enough to stop him. He is dropping down in distance but the softer ground should make up for this. He is improving all the time and hopefully hasn't stopped yet.

Duke Of Diamonds (Caitlin)

The Requinto gelding I bought from the Breeze-Up sales is now all but sold with just a couple of shares left in him. He has been named Pitch High and will be set to make his debut at Sandown in a couple of weeks. He is a lovely laid-back horse who has done all his homework very well. I can't wait to run him.

Pitch High

The owners' golf day was a big hit last year with the sun playing ball as well. Readers of the newsletter (which can be seen by CLICKING HERE) will have seen that we are organising it again for this year with the date pencilled in as Thursday 18th August. Venue and timings will be confirmed closer to the day depending on numbers but you must register your interest with Ross by emailing rbirkett1989@hotmail.co.uk as soon as possible.

Last year's winning golf team

THREE TO FOLLOW LEADERBOARD

Annette Hall	46
Jonathan Kinge	42
David Haddrell	39
Barbara Walton	37
Maureen Case	34
Anthea Telford	34
Pauline Kennedy	32
Jean Allen	30
Chris Shirran	30
Gay Chalklin	30
Dudley Lever	30