Happy Days ...

... are here again ! With all the trials and tribulations of this last year it was so good to get back to winning ways at Haydock on Saturday . And what an exciting race it was . It's so easy to get caught on the line with Haydocks long run-in but Geoff and Tom held on - just . Thought it a gutsy performance - rather than flamboyant one - unlike when George won the same race . But Geoff always keeps plenty up his sleeve and the brothers couldn't be more different .
He doesn't possess enough speed to keep him hurdling so he'll now go novice chasing . I just hope he's good enough to have a crack at The Feltham Chase on Boxing Day at Kempton - and make it another memorable double ! CU
Ps DP phoned to report that both Geoff and Dynaste were full of it the next morning and acting like lunatics in the paddock . They seem to get on - and travel well together . Let's hope they travel well .... to Kempton !!!

A little bit of fun

Now - my fellow owner - Brian Drew - is about the most well dressed country gent ( he's obviously a townie ) you'll ever likely to meet - but I've been talking the P*** about the way he wears his trilby - sort of turned up at the front - Horatio style.
These pictures prove my point . The first photo was taken at Fontwell earlier in the season - after the success of Kings Palace - and the second one taken at Plumpton on Monday -after Tullyesker Hill won . To be fair to Brian though I did ask ask him to pose with his trilby turned up - and he dually obliged . As you can see by the photo Brian did see the funny side of it . But will it set a trend ? Must get MCP on board ! CU

I need a day ...

... off ! After all the heady heroics of Sunday it was back down to earth yesterday at good ol' Plumpty . And the journey was well worth it ! DP only had one runner and in the colours of Brian Drew - a combination that has a near on 50% strike rate in bumpers - Tullyesker Hill with Tom Scu on board - dually obliged at a surprisingly good price - considering - of 6-4 . I think Brian has another good'n there.

Geoffrey is still on course for Haddock ( my little termism ) this Saturday - so looking very much forward - I think! - to that . I remember when George won the same race - was it really 3 years ago ? - he was a hot favourite off the back of his Cheltenham success . But - although brothers - they are very different types . George was - is - much more precocious - Geoff rather workman like . But he has strengthened up over the summer and DP has a fabulous record in the race . We'll give it our best shot ! CU

PS George is absolutely fine after his Kempton race . He's been eating up and is in very good order - which is the main thing . I'll hopefully be speaking to Paul Reynolds and DP sometime over the weekend to see how things stand with him - so will report .

Cheltenham - Day 3

What a crazy sport this is ! Trainer and 'tag along owner' could do nothing right the first 2 days - then bang - 4 winners and everything in the garden ....Not that I backed the first and at 40-1 not many of us lot did - but good on Will Frewen. What Brookhouse thought it though is another matter - his expensive Western Warhorse was beaten into 2nd by Will's Home Run - and was the most fancied - but these things happen . Anyway - he didn't have to wait long for himself to get amongst the winners when The Liquidator won under a good enterprising ride by Scu .
And then came the highlight of the day when Scu got Caroline's expensive new recruit - Dell'Arca - back up to win the top race of the day . Very happy for owner and trainer .
And - not finished there - as Red Sherlock won the bumper in the colours of the late David Johnson . Very emotional for his lovely wife Shirley - especially as DJ had breed the winner . Quite a day . Now on to Plumpton ! CU

Day 2 Cheltenham - Another Day ...

... another skinner ! At least Nicola had Le Bec in the second to cheer up the funds . Not that it wasn't a really good racing day but winners were in short supply - for everyone - apart from the bookies whom were seen leaving with smiles on their faces and satchels full .
A couple of good performances from the stable to mention though . 'Lady' Caroline's Azza came 3rd in the 1st - a nice slightly built filly whom - judging by her knee action - would appreciate it softer . Brookhouse's Legacy Gold in the bumper also did well coming 3rd . But that was about that !
Day 3 ? If anyone is reading 'la blog' please send more money . CU

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Cheltenham - Day One

Sorry reader for not reporting in earlier - but I've been in a darken room for few weeks - hardly venturing out ! But now I'm back ! Not that there's a lot to report on day one . We fancied the first - no show - fancied the fourth - ran well but - alas - non show .
Apart from having a complete skinner it was all very enjoyable. Really good to catch up with racing mates . DP had organised 4 tables - 40 people - make that 41 ( wasn't expecting me !) Caroline Tisdale ( lovely )- Brian Drew ( immaculate as ever ) - Brookhouse ( scruffy as ever ) - MCP & Carol ( hierarchy ) - even Chester Barnes ( must be desperate ).
Always the same question though . Well - George is absolutely fine after his race . He ate up and is bouncy . Unfortunately he can't physically see his race out ... and ....well ... that might be that . If it wasn't for him - and Madison before him - we wouldn't have Geoffrey . And that's how it goes . And - talking of Geoff - providing things go well this week is on target for The Brush Hurdle next week at Haydock . Will let you know when I do . CU
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Update

As you are probably well aware George ran a lovely race - only to come to a stop 2 out ! DP phoned this evening to say that he'd bleed . The trainer and team at Pond House have done everything to alleviate this problem - but unfortunately to no avail . Times like these it's best to remember all the great days George has given us over the years - and get some of those old videos out . Anyway - who said this was an easy game ! CU
Ps - will keep everyone updated
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Quick up-date

George heads off to Kempton Park on Monday in the long quest of getting his career back on track . He had his (very well documented ) problems last year so we are just looking for a nice run . He's giving lumps of weight away to some potentially very good animals so - though we would obviously love to win - will be looking for him to enjoy the race . Originally we had some Weatherby targets in mind for him this last weekend but feel this race is just ideal . He loves the track - however - 2 1/2m might be on the sharp side . CU

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