Cold again today, north wind, brighter now after a soggy morning. A tough and perhaps fortuitous win from Ballyfort at Kelso yesterday, battling back after being headed on the run in – delighted as he isn’t straightforward, hopefully more to come. My Lady Elektra made a very satisfactory start to her chasing career, finishing 4th only beaten two and a half lengths by the winner despite nearly coming to grief at the 2nd last having jumped “the shadow” as well as the fence. Lester Mail had a tough intro to hurdling in a large field, plenty of pace on and being unsighted by the sun at the second hurdle, Anamanda was a little disappointing, not really relishing the long battle up the hill.
Ballyfort (right) on his way to a very special win.
An excrutiating decision to withdraw Elvis Mail after walking the course, he had a nasty injury at Doncaster and I swore I wouldn’t chance him on ground that wasn’t at least good to soft so when finding the gorund to be good I had to quell my competitive instincts and stick by my word. Painful to say the least as this race had been the plan since February if we could have him ready in time, I spent much of the last few months thinking we would need a bit more time but everything went so perfectly for him that I was sure he was ready – 565kg to 503kg in 4 months for the poor chap. Anyway, it wasn’t to be so we regroup and try to find the right race, not much around for a horse at his level so maybe the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle or the Veterans Chase at Haydock in the first week of December. Fingers crossed we can keep him in the same fettle.
Another time Elvis
Kelso yesterday had the most wonderful atmosphere, a huge and passionate crowd sharing a genuine interest in the racing and in full voice for the close finishes. A cold day but heart warming in so many ways, an excellent antidote to the woes of the world and a manifestation of the joys that racing brings to communities – be careful Rachel! One entry at Wetherby on Friday then hopefully busy days at Ayr and Carlisle next weekend, lots of horses raring to go and I think the same can be said for the trainer!
Serious business…