Friday 1st June 2023 - placed efforts, Elton John and David Beckham!

Although we've not had many runners lately, the ones that have run have all been knocking on the door picking up place prize money.

Donnie Azoff ran a fine race on his chasing debut when 2nd at Ffos Las on Saturday evening.  He had won over hurdles in the spring, but he jumps well so it made sense to send him chasing.  However, 8 fences were taken out due to the low sun, and so he only jumped 5 fences in the race, which didn't suit him really as he was done for a bit of speed inside the final furlong in the dash for home!  It was frustrating, and he looks as though he should progress over fences now.

The lack of hurdles wouldn’t have suited Cornicello either, who picked up 4^th that evening.  However, he should be able to get his head back in front in the coming weeks back on a tighter track, and with some hurdles to jump!

Unfortunately, Double Click failed to land the hattrick on wins last night as the better ground just found him out a bit.  He had won twice this spring on a softer surface, and although he picked up more placed money last night, he just lacked the speed of two ex-flat horses, and so he will have a summer holiday now and be back for the softer ground come the winter, where he will undoubtedly be able to resume his progress.

I was thrilled to get Guinness Affair back on to the track last night after over 600 days on the side lines.  He had won a bumper and a brace of novice hurdles before he picked up an injury.  However, the Value Racing Club have been very patient, and he showed last night that he retains all of his old ability and enthusiasm with a great round of jumping when 3^rd on his chase debut.  He travelled into the race well, but naturally took a blow at the 2^nd last fence, and got tired from the back of the last.  However, he will strip fitter, and I look forward to having him back in our team for the summer.

Fortunate Fred was also 3^rd last night, but he didn’t jump with any great fluency, and he might be one who would appreciate Worcester or Uttoxeter fences as Warwick is a tough jumping track.  He’s surely becoming very well handicapped, and must surely be able to get his head in front soon enough.

Away from the racing, we had a very enjoyable night at the O2 arena on Tuesday where we saw Elton John perform in London for the very last time.  It was a great performance and we thoroughly enjoyed the evening…….although in Lucy’s case it may have been something to do with the fact that David Beckham was in the box next door to ours!