Aix-les-Bains

Well - 3rd .
LMD really beat herself yesterday at Aix-les-Bains . She pulled too hard early on and used a lot of energy up at the wrong end of the race .
It was a shame really . She got beaten by two older mares - who were a little more race wise . Her jumping was a little 'guessy' - but quick .
If Emmanuel could just get her to relax a bit more LMD will turn these placed runs into wins .
That saying - we still picked up 3k€ - and for a lovely weekend around a very beautiful part of France - was real treat . CU
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Aix-les-Bains

Well - 3rd .
LMD really beat herself yesterday at Aix-les-Bains . She pulled too hard early on and used a lot of energy up at the wrong end of the race .
It was a shame really . She got beaten by two older mares - who were a little more race wise . Her jumping was a little 'guessy' - but quick .
If Emmanuel could just get her to relax a bit more LMD will turn these placed runs into wins .
That saying - we still picked up 3k€ - and for a lovely weekend around a very beautiful part of France - was real treat . CU
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Aix-les-Bains

Well - 3rd .
LMD really beat herself yesterday at Aix-les-Bains . She pulled too hard early on and used a lot of energy up at the wrong end of the race .
It was a shame really . She got beaten by two older mares - who were a little more race wise . Her jumping was a little 'guessy' - but quick .
If Emmanuel could just get her to relax a bit more LMD will turn these placed runs into wins .
That saying - we still picked up 3k€ - and for a lovely weekend around a very beautiful part of France - was real treat . CU

LMD

Well - it's been a while - but LMD runs tomorrow at Aix des Bains ( 5-10 ) . Emmanuel says she has been training well - so we will give it a shot . CU


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Just to report ...

... that LMD is back in training after her mid-season break . And she's certainly looking stronger .
Emmanuel said she'll be aimed at a race at Aix le Bains - near Annecy - in June . Can't wait ! CU

A good farewell

There was a really good turnout for Yvonne in Cheltenham last Friday . All the family were present
- lots of emotional speeches - including mine . Our racing colours were draped over her coffin - with flowers to match . All very poignant .
DP was also present and l reminded everyone that David use to call us 'the odd couple'!
An excellent reception was held at a 'posh' establishment in town - and there was a bottle of XO Hennessy Cognac for us to toast Yvonne .
Ah - happy memories .
CU

Yvonne Reynolds

I remember the time Madison had a race at Ayr .
I said to Yvonne that we should go up to see him
race - stay at Royal Troon - play a round of golf - and have ourselves a 'dirty' weekend .
'Oooh nooo'- ( her favourite words ) - 'too bloody old fooor all that 'milarkie' - 'and anyway - you're married !!! Take Nicola - take a couple of grand out
of the account - and have yourselves a 'blooody goood' weekend'.
Anyway - I think that's what she said .


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Yvonne ... and the day we bought Madison

I suppose - now having had time to reflect - I would like to share a couple of anecdotes of our racing times together .
MCP is a very persuasive guy . For some reason - which escapes me - we were racing at Taunton and after the last race Martin said you must come back to Pond House ... for a cup of tea ! I really did not want to go - but back to Pond House I ended up - with a cup of tea - watching racing highlights from Auteuil .
One of the races was a 'claimer' - where there was a very impressive winner - name of which eludes me . Martin then told me he had successfully 'claimed' the horse ! I was immediately interested and asked the price ? 'Too much for you' MCP said ' and anyway - he's gone to one of my more favourite owners'.
There was a longish pause . Then Martin continued
' But - I've also claimed the second - half the price ... you can have that ... but I need to know by 9 in the morning'!
So - back home - I phoned Yvonne .
' Oooo nooo ' !
'Sleep on it Yvonne' I said 'and give me a ring in the morning . If I don't hear from you I'll tell Martin that we'll have the horse .
The next morning my phone was off the hook - uncontactable .Even The Lord above would've had trouble ! Then I phoned Martin and we purchased Madison du Berlais .
When Yvonne received the invoice she phoned me .
'Couldn't bloody get hold of you!' CU
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Yvonne Reynolds

It's with great sadness to report that my great racing partner and friend - Yvonne - has passed away . Yvonne had been very poorly for the past few years - but that makes it no less sad .
It's strange how life works out . Our last horse now retired and Yvonne now departed - like somehow she knew . Certainly the end of an era .
However - thanks hugely to the Pipes - we had some fantastic days racing ! And some desperate ones too . But somehow those days make the good ones even better !
So many memories - but an ever lasting image is of Yvonne stuffing her hand bag of all her bookies gains - so much so that she could not close it ! I found her a plastic carrier bag - and she stuffed that as well ! I asked her why see didn't just use a bookmakers account ? 'Don't bloody trust them!'
CU

Unfortunately ...

... Geoffrey sustained a strained crucial ligament to his hind leg in his race at Uttoxeter . He himself is fine - just needs as month or two box rest . However - at the age of nine - his racing career is over . Now he can now look forward to - hopefully - a long and happy retirement along with his 'daft'brother George.
And I thought he was jumping and travelling really well when he blundered down the back straight on the final circuit . He might have got injured before that fence - but we will never know .
DP sounded devastated when he phoned on Sunday morning . It's a tough job phoning owners with bad news . He feels it's an end of an era . It may be - but first thoughts must always be with the horses . I'm just really relieved that The Brothers have survived there racing and now have a fantastic home to retire to . CU

Day 3 ...

... and like the weather - I've gone cold ! Why is it that it's easier to pick winners when the sun is out ?
Maybe I've just got my thoughts on Saturday .
Still - well done Mullins and the Irish . In the hay day of Grands Crus and Auteuil - I was being dined out by the French Gallop - and Willie Mullins was on my table . With all the champagne and wine that flowed - I got rather inebriated - and started calling Willie Walley . Willie kept correcting me - 'it's Willie Richard - Willie'.
My Cheltenham feels that it's over - as I'm now back home in preparation for Saturday . So - like my reader - I'll be slouched in my armchair and watching on the 'box' and routing for Cue Card . Come to think of it - George use to beat Cue Card - didn't he ?
Not worth thinking about it ! CU .... at Uttoxeter
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Day 2 ...

... and more fantastic racing - with the weather to boot ! Have to say - the re-construction of Cheltenham - with the viewing areas and walkways - makes going to the Festival a far more comfortable and enjoyable experience . Much more than say at Ascot - so well done !
And there was a really buoyant atmosphere in the Pipey wigwam - I sense of relief that Pond House had had a winner . I suppose looking back to when Martin was ruling the roost - and what we all look back on as the 'glory days' - it is so difficult for David to really now get the ammunition to take on the Mullins's and Nicholls's . Well done to Sir Bry and Lady Caroline for their support . Much appreciated by everyone.
And I've had a few good days punting ! Always helps when the stable has a winner - and I had a couple yesterday - Mite Bite and Causes of Causes . But take your hat of to Nicole who had 50-1 third on Valentino in the Q M !
Geoffrey is now declared for Saturday - so a busy week . Might have to take a holiday ! CU
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Great ride

Once again - for the second year running - Un Temps Pour Tout got the Pond House team of to a flyer ! Carrying top weight - it was an excellent effort - with Tom Scu giving him every assistance . It would fair to say that jockeyship was the difference - with the eventual second always going the better .
And then it was downhill from there ! Moon Racer was always jumping right and you can't do that in the Champion Hurdle .
Today seems a quite affair with only one runner - Poker Player . But that might be a tip in it's self !
CU later
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Uttoxeter

Just to let my reader know that Geoffrey is on course for The Midlands National this Saturday . He's also had an entry for the Irish National on Easter Monday at Fairyhouse . Add to that entries for Scottish National and something at the Punchestown festival - it's probably not worth me ever coming home ! Still - at this point they are still entries - and a lot of water to flow under the bridge until then .
And just to let you also know that I will be doing a Cheltenham 'la blog' - hopefully reporting on a Champion Hurdle winner with MOON DANCER !!
for my racing Pals - Sir Bryan and Lady Caroline .
CU tomorrow
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Newcastle

Have to say Newcastle is a great place - not that we had much time to explore ! Lots of history and a nice atmosphere about town and race course . A good place for a long weekend I would say .
Spoke to DP this morning . All's well with Geoffrey . The RP had it right - 'progress and going well to go 5th - hit 19th - unseated rider '. Tom Scu thought he would have be in the first two .
On the negative side - we still don't know if he really stays these long distances . And also - would he have lost some confidence with his jumping . Only time will tell .
Looking on the brighter side - at least he showed good form up to the point of his departure - and we can now look forward to some good away days - hopefully starting with The Midlands National at Uttoxeter in a couple of weeks .There is a decent race at Punchestown - and the Scottish National at Ayr - though that might be a too shaper track for him . Still - he deserves an entry . CU
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Bugger

Such is racing . Geoffrey had made really good headway - and lying in 4th when he - bless him - hit the 20th fence - and fell .
Still - horse & Tom Scu were unscathed - and taking positives out of the race - we have other targets in these long distance events later in the season . CU

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Newcastle

I recon it would be easier - and cheaper - to fly to the moon and back - rather than Newcastle ! Anyway - we will do the round trip . I just hope that Geoffrey puts in a bold display .
The 4 mile trip should suit . However - with several higher rated animals not running - he is now burdened with top weight - a tough ask with the going likely to be riding 'heavy'.
Still - we are expecting him to progress - now over an extended trip . Much will depend on Tom Scu getting the right position early on . There are a number of good quality long distant events now coming up in the spring . It would be nice if Geoff could be considered for them . CU
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Just to let you know ...

... dearest reader - that barring any unforeseen problems that Geoffrey is on course for the Eider Chase at Newcastle on Saturday . He's 20-1 anti post - and hopefully that will represent good ew value . More later -
CU
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Fwd: Didn't he ...

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Begin forwarded message:

From: "Roger@farmerschoice.co.uk" <roger@farmerschoice.co.uk>
Date: 10 February 2017 at 19:13:26 CET
To: rogerstanley55.bruce@blogger.com
Subject: Didn't he ...

.. do well ! It's always gauling when a your fella is done at the home run by a horse carrying a stone lighter - but that's the name of the game !
Still - track / going/ distance were not to Geoffrey's advantage . I'm hoping- praying- the ground comes up heavy at Newcastle! CU 

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Didn't he ...

.. do well ! It's always gauling when a your fella is done at the home run by a horse carrying a stone lighter - but that's the name of the game !
Still - track / going/ distance were not

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Kempton ...

... for Geoffrey .
But with the ground 'good to soft' l'm not sure it will be a great sufficient stamina test for him . Still - it looks a weak enough race. He is also entered for The Eider
Chase at Newcastle in a couple of weeks . Now that might be a totally different proposition ! Over 4 miles and if he get the normal very soft ground- I think that would be of more interest - CU
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Geoffrey...

... goes hunting . If he enjoyed his racing as much as his hunting we all might be on to a winner !
And you never know - it might come this week - as he has entries at Kempton on Friday and Exeter on Sunday . CU
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6th ...

... and 600 quid !
Once again - not too sure what to make of Geoffrey's run . Held up and never on terms . However - he stayed on to finish a remote 6th to at least claim a prize .
Jockey David Noonan reported that he was not 'putting it all in' - surprise surprise . To be fair to our fella - he's never happy being held up and I'm sure DP will find a race somewhere where he can dominate from the front .
In fact Geoffrey was so well in himself on his return from Haydock that Gerry Supple took him out hunting on Monday ! CU
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So ...

... Geoffrey runs tomorrow at Haydock - in the very prestigious Peter Marsh chase . I see he's still 33s in the market - which is probably about right on evidence so far . However - it'll be interesting to see how he goes off bottom weight .
So much depends on how he jumps - and our fate might be determined in the first few fences .
His biggest prize came at Haydock - in fact he's 2 from 2 there. What would we give if he could improve on that ! CU

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Entry ...

... I'll continue!
As I was saying - a very competitive Gr2 chase - and I see he's about 33s on the AP - probably about right ! However he's on a very low weight - in fact 2lb out of the handicap .
DP says there is also a race - 3m hurdle at Huntington - coming up .
LMD is having a mid season holiday after her rather disappointing run at Pau . There might have been excuses for her that day . CU
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Entry ....

... 

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Entry ...

.. for Geoffrey at Haydock this Saturday in the peter Marsh . A very competitive 3m Gr2 chase .



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Pau

LMD ran a shade disappointing yesterday at Pau . Felix Du Giles reported that she jumped superbly - but found that he ground rode too sticky / holding . It might be the case that she is still a little weak and needs better ground - as was the case at Fontainebleau . LMD is normally a hard puller - so the tactics were to ride just off the pace - but she never did pull and got too far behind too early . Disappointing - but early days !
That didn't distract - too much - on a lovely New Years weekend in Pau . With the backdrop of the snowy Pyrenees and fire works in the main square - it was certainly a site to behold ! CU