Newbury

On analysing the race in which Geoffrey came 7th I'm not too sure if I was that disappointed . If you look at the first 3 home - they were all carrying 10-8ish - so giving them over a stone was always going to be a tough ask - and we did beat Tom Scu's mount - who was only carrying 10-4 !
No . We do - though - need a bit of respite from the handicapper . We'll see if that happens when the weights are revised this Tuesday .
Let's hope ! CU

Newbury

Well - here we go again . I wish Geoffrey was as honest as his brother - has the ability but hardly dependable . On the + side - he's back on a flat track - should love the soft going - won here about this time last year & he's got cheek pieces back on . But you wouldn't really know .
CU

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Newbury

So - we're all set for Newbury tomorrow - 13 runners & Connor take the ride . Missed DP's call so not quite sure of our chances - would still think we are weighted a bit too high . I won't be there - but for those of you that are .... have a good day ! CU

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Entry for Geoffrey

Just a quickie to say Geoffrey is an intended runner at Newbury this Friday . He'll love the flat track - and the going - but probably still needs some leniency from the handicapper . More later . CU

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Cheltenham ...

... conclusions . It was a tough ol' time at the weekend ! I did feel a bit for DP - nothing went right - and all the horses looked in need of the race . But that's it in this game - you are either winning big races in Auteuil - or you getting stuffed back home !
Still - amongst all the carnage - it was great fun just to be out racing again and meeting up with all my co-owners . I thought Geoffrey ran ok . It's so difficult off near-on top weight - and there are plenty of better handicapped horses out there . The stable fancied Batavir in the same race - and we beat him giving away weight . I think it's about time we had a little help from the handicapper !
And probably - with that in mind - we intend to run again at Newbury on the Friday of next weeks Hennessy meeting . Let's hope we'll have something to smile about then ! CU

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Blankety blank

A day of near misses on day one at Cheltenham - but I think all the horses from Pond House ran well . It was great to catch up with all my fellow owners and there was a real air of optimism for the new season - let's hope that continues . All we are looking for is that first winner !
Well - I don't think that will come with Geoffrey - though we do think ( hope ) - we just might have found the key to him . Although Tom Scu takes the the ride on the stables other runner - Bativar - Connor O'Farrell rides Geoffrey in his daily work - so knows him well . Anyway - it's good to have a runner on PP Gold Cup day .
All eyes and expectations - though - will be on the Bryan Drew / Johnston Family runner and Gold Cup favorite Kings Palace . As I have found I the past - this is a tough race - though favorites have a good record . He goes well fresh - the distance should be perfect - so
good luck Bryan ! CU
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Here we go !

So - with the PP meeting at Cheltenham starting on Friday it's always an exciting time of the season - full of hope and expectations - all to be blow away by Christmas !
With only Geoffrey to go to 'war' with this season it just might be a quiet one for 'La Blog' . However - sometimes that's just how it goes - a season can hinge on just one race ! And it's great that that Geoff is entered for the 3m + hurdle on the Saturday . Always an exciting day - with or without a runner - and the fact that Kings Palace is 2nd Fav for the PP Gold Cup - will add further interest and spice .
I've followed KP since his first win at Plumpton and consider Bryan and the Johnston family amongst my 'bestest' racing pals . But there are so many - and I'm looking forward to catching up with them all !
If all goes reasonably on Saturday - DP says we will enter Geoff for The Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on Hennessy day .
Ahh - glory days !
CU

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