9th May 2012

We wouldn't be English if we didn't talk about the weather - but I really find it hard to believe it is May, as it feels more like November! We have had such a lot of rain, and race meetings are being called off everyday with tracks being waterlogged. Sutton Who was going to run at Stratford today, but that is off, and Ballyboker Boy was going to run at Newton Abbot tomorrow, but that has been abandoned as well. I hope they might both get a run at Worcester on Sunday.

I watched the Chester Cup this afternoon, and saw Ile De Re putting up a great performance to beat Overturn. Interestingly, it was Ile De Re that beat Caminero into 3rd on our first run over hurdles at Sandown in February. Caminero is out at grass at the moment on his 'summer' holiday, and will come back for a wind op at the end of June, before we send him novice chasing through the autumn. I think he will certainly be one to follow.

We had a busy morning schooling, and Tom O'Brien popped in to have a sit on a few. Ixora schooled over fences, and was electric. She has recovered from her fall at Cheltenham last time out, and will be a lovely novice chaser for the summer - she is quick, bold, and yet can be very clever and dance in front of them, and I cannot wait to have her out, but we'll just bide our time and wait for the sun to shine. Millers Reef schooled over fences with Ixora, and he looks to be well handicapped over fences when the ground quickens up again. Tom also popped Miss Milborne over 12 fences as well, and she will be a smashing chaser for next winter - we'll now begin to rough her off and she can go out in the paddock for the summer. All Nighter and Jawhary flew up the hurdles, and I cannot wait to get them out when the summer finally arrives. All Nighter will be a force to be reckoned with in the early juvenile heats.  Tom schooled Ultra Klass over hurdles, and described him as being very athletic and exciting for next season - we are selling 20% shares in him, and only have a couple left, so do shout if you are keen.