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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