It's a hard life for some in the office.
A few scattered showers this morning but nothing of any significance and we are cool and overcast now.
Routine exercise for the entire string today – we work again tomorrow. Mr Milmo dropped in late morning to cast an eye over his battalion.
No runners today but four declarations for the weekend. Fieldsman will be our sole representative on the Rowley Mile when he tackles the concluding 1m handicap under Ryan Moore, while we send three to Goodwood, with Island Remede lining up in the Daisy Warwick, Red Avenger the 7f handicap and Harlestone Hopes the last.
Hopefully the ground won’t be too quick for Island Remede – the unseasonably dry spring is playing havoc with our running plans.
Three entries for Chelmsford next Wednesday on what is an interesting card with good prize money. God Willing, Scrutinise and Red Galileo are the possibilities.
Also, we confirmed both Trip To Paris and Mubaraza for the Chester Cup next Wednesday. Having initially panicked somewhat about Paris getting a run, it looks like we should be ok given his penalty for winning at Ripon. The defection of Simenon means the weights have risen sufficiently for Graham Lee to keep the ride. Dane O’Neill will partner Mubaraza with Paul Hanagan banned.
Finally, I am Tattersalls this afternoon for an inspection of the breeze-up lots which go under the hammer tomorrow. Hopefully we can continue to expand our juvenile ranks and any prospective new owners are always welcome to get in touch.
However, I was forced to draw the line last week when I was approached by a lady to take her horse from a fellow Newmarket-based handler, only to later find she preferred to groom and lead-out said beast herself and had a penchant for entering the trainer’s kitchen uninvited! Mrs D would have been less than impressed had we been accompanied by an extra for breakfast…
More tomorrow. Ed.