Thursday's celebrations.
A little cooler this morning but not unpleasant.
We’re still on a high following Thursday’s exploits but the show continues to roll on, and we are due to saddle three runners on the final day of the Royal meeting.
However, the very quick ground is a concern for both Red Cadeaux and Zarwaan and with the forecast rain becoming increasingly less likely and the course having not watered overnight, we will be monitoring the situation closely.
The horses have, of course, left the yard but we will make a decision on their participation after the first race. Mrs D and I are about to get in the car as we speak.
Times Up will definitely line-up in the Queen Alexandra and he has shaped with some promise in his two starts this season. Both Graham Lee and Phillip Makin have been quite encouraged by his runs and while the trip is somewhat of an unknown, he gets two and a quarter miles well and we think he will stay.
Of course he is now nine and Willie looks to have laid another one out for this race in the shape of Wicklow Brave, but we hope he can at least be competitive as the exuberance remains at home.
This really has been a wonderful week and I think it would be a fitting finale should Brazen Beau land the Diamond Jubilee. Australian sprinters became the first consistent piece of the ever-expanding international jigsaw at this meeting and Choisir’s double in 2003 was one of the great highlights.
Sad news emerged overnight that Take Over Target, winner of the King’s Stand in 2006, had to be euthanized, and it will take a very good one to stop his compatriot this afternoon, whose Australian form is top-notch and who arrives on these shores with a formidable reputation.
No declarations for Monday and only a handful of entries for next Friday.
The best ODI series I can ever remember draws to a close at Durham today. I hope the finale lives up to its billing.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Ed