That's That Done For Another Year

Royal Ascot came and went this week and although we had no luck with Emma's Gift in the Sandringham Stakes on Wednesday, it was a pleasure just to have a runner there. Getting dressed up really isn't my thing and to make matters worse, I had a bit of a nightmare with a spray tan experiment. Luckily it was only on my legs so could cover it up with some tights!

As it did at Ascot, it's been pouring it down here all week but not many people are complaining as we have needed it for weeks and it was a great to get on the grass gallops too. We worked a bunch of horses on Saturday morning and last year's Derby winner Workforce had been up there just before us so if it's good enough for him, it's good enough for us. Handily, a great photographer called Michael Smithson was there as well and he got some shots of the horses:

Verona Bay (Adam Beschizza)

Generous Genella (Dean Smith) leads Sand Repeal (Ross Birkett)

Canning Vale (Tetanya)

Acer Diamonds (left, Rob Summers) upsides King Columbo

Acer Diamonds put in a great bit of work, his debut run at Newbury has taken nothing out of him and I'm excited about running him at Newmarket on Saturday. It will probably be another decent maiden but so was his last race where he finished fifth, so I'm hopeful he can be placed. Also on that day, I may run Red Hearts in a listed race to see if we can get some black type on her pedigree. We are a bit stuck with her as she has won her maiden but as a result has to carry a weight penalty in novice races. Because the handicaps for two year olds do not start until August, we may as well run her up in grade.

Before that, on Tuesday, Premier League will be bidding to make it two wins in a row at Newbury. He won at Southwell so a slow turf surface shouldn't bother him and I can see no reason why he won't run well again. Elsewhere, Emmeline Pankhurst runs at Brighton. She's been frustrating but has run promisingly at the course before so, fingers crossed, she can show a bit of form.

Now the Newmarket Friday night meetings are back, King Columbo has his diary full for the next few months as there is always an ideal race for him there. He's in this week and should love the soft ground along with Exopuntia who I was delighted with as she came third last Friday at the track. She wasn't 100% fit that day so it looks like she will go even closer this time around.

Looking back at the week's runners, the one who ran with most promise despite finishing down the field was Khajaaly at Warwick on Thursday. The jockey admitted he got into a lot of trouble and as a result he could never get into top gear. The horse has come out of the race really well and will run better next time.

Three To Follow Update

Adam Beschizza was the only entrant to include Exopuntia in his list and the three points she gained on Friday see him move into joint third.

1st - Richard Salmon (38 points)

2nd - Peter Darlington (33 points)

3rd - Shelley Birkett, Adam Beschizza (31 points)

5th - Maureen Youngs (28 points)

Two other on 25 points, 4 on 23, 3 on 18, 11 on 15, 2 on 13, 1 on 10, 2 on 8, 2 on 5 and one person on three points.