En route to the Al Bahathri.
Wet and miserable with a similar forecast for the afternoon.
We hosted a tour of 14 Australians this morning. They are visiting the UK for a couple of weeks and are in Newmarket over the weekend before heading to London for Royal Ascot. The weather proved stereotypically British but they did get a chance to meet Red Cadeaux, so I think all was forgiven.
Three runners this evening. Tajathub makes his handicap debut at Leicester – he’s unexposed but a mark of 79 is a pretty stiff starting point, although this doesn’t look a great race.
Girl With A Pearl appears to have improved from her debut seventh but she wouldn’t want it too quick.
Lamsa goes to Lingfield for the six furlong maiden and she needs to step up to beat Nortron and Petit Trianon. It’s hard to run away from a three-runner race, though.
Two declarations for Monday with both Hanno and Island Authority heading to Windsor.
Another superb match between England and New Zealand yesterday – scoring 400 in an ODI and not looking safe is pretty unbelievable. England have well and truly released the shackles and they look a different side having done so.
Finally, I was disappointed to see the distinct lack of racing personalities in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list this morning. All we managed to summon was a special award for Charles Barnett for his service to Ascot, while the rest slipped through the net, most notably AP McCoy. What more could he have done for the sport?
Have an enjoyable weekend. Ed